EID MESSAGE 2016
July 8, 2016 State House, Suva
Eid Mubarak
My fellow Fijians it gives me much pleasure to convey an Eid Message on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, or the end of Ramadan.
As Muslims in Fiji and throughout the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, I extend on behalf of my wife Sarote and our family, our warmest well wishes to all believers of Islam and wish everyone a blessed Eid.
This celebration is a highlight after a month of sacrifice, chastisement and restraint through the fasts you carried out. It is also a climax after a month of prayer requests for protection and a focal point after a month of spiritual meditation.
The lessons learnt during the Ramadan are obvious from your business and social successes. And this has flowed onto those around you and your communities. As the celebration it, like any other celebrations, is a time of sharing, fellowship, reflection and reconciliation. It is a time of the gathering of families and friends.
It is a celebration at the completion of a successful journey of discipline and I applaud the Muslim Community for upholding your beliefs and faith.
This message is also a call to all Fijians who are not Muslims, let’s learn as much as we can from the successes of our fellow Muslims whilst embracing love for each other.
I champion the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases for the health of our people. Health also encompasses mental and spiritual well-being. What our Muslim friends believe is a lesson in itself. Let’s also be willing to set time aside to fast, seek Divine intervention, make sacrifices and meditate.
When we learn from each other and help each other with the true spirit of comradeship and love, Fiji as a nation will be able to move mountains and go a long way. After all we are all equal as human beings, all known as Fijians and have rights and freedom as enshrined under the Constitution.
With the rise in crimes and moral deterioration let Ramadan and Eid be lessons we can embrace for spiritual and mental wellness. This I believe, will curb a lot of social problems we face.
I again wish everyone Eid Mubarak. May God bless Fiji!