Fiji President addresses Holy Prophet Day at AMC Fiji
January 14, 2014 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
Repot submitted by MKA Fiji president Ashfaq Khan
By ZAFIYA SHAMIM
President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has stressed the importance of living in peace and not being victimised because of one’s religion.
He was speaking as the chief guest yesterday at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Samabula, Suva, during celebrations to mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (SAW)].
He said people should respect other religious beliefs in order to live peacefully and also for the betterment of their future generations.
He said there were many humble people in all religions and it was important for people to participate in great numbers to show their solidarity to a great human being.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Fiji national president and missionary in charge, Maulana Fazal Ullah Tariq, said the event was held to spread awareness and educate Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the life of the Holy Prophet.
“It is our responsibility to take suppressed voices and raise them to be heard by others,” Mr Tariq said.
He said through these gatherings they were able to give courage to people to come forward to make remarkable change in religions and among nations.
“We are also trying to create tolerance, respect and courtesy in our nation and we cannot achieve this without God and peace.”
Mr Tariq said they would help people raise their voices so that mischief makers never surface and people who did good would rise.
Also present was the Public Service Commission’s permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand, who spoke highly about Prophet Muhammad’s humility and simplicity.
“Prophet Muhammad was a very simple person and spent all his life in simplicity,” Mr Chand said.
He was very unceremonious and informal in his habits. He ate whatever he was given, wore very thick and coarse cloth. Even when he was the ruler of a state and undisputed leader of the people he sat on the floor, bare ground or a mat without any hesitation, alone or in the company of other people.
“He was by nature simple and was a man who practised what he preached and his life is a perfect model for his followers,” he said.

The President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, with some of the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Association at the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday at Fazl e Umar mosque in Samabula yesterday. Photo: JUSTINE MANNAN

Belief to reflect in everyday living, says President
Dawn Gibson
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
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Muslims pray during Prophet Mohammed’s birthday celebration at the Samabula Mosque. Picture: IVAMERE ROKOVESA
MUSLIMS around the country came together in their respective groups yesterday to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
The special occasion was marked with shared modest feasts and speeches about the life and teachings of the prophet.
And for the first time in 53 years, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji were humbled to receive State representative President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
“Indeed a good measure of our religious belief should be reflected in our everyday living in how one develops personally and spiritually,” Ratu Epeli said yesterday as chief guest at the celebrations in Samabula.
“I have every confidence that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji and its members can take great pride in having contributed meaningfully towards the whole of Fiji’s development over the years.”
He said sections of the Constitution were dedicated to creating a Fiji where respect for various religious beliefs was ensured.
“The logic of declaring Fiji a secular State is amongst other things to provide everyone without exception the right to practice, hold and promote one’s religion.
“It is also to protect all religions and to ensure that no one religion or sect within a religion has undue advantage over other religions or sect.”

Peace vital, says Ratu Epeli
Dawn Gibson
Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau meets Tahir Munshi during the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday celebrations in Suva. Picture: IVAMERE ROKOVESA
MUSLIMS from around the country came together on Monday to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.
Also taking part in the celebration ceremonies was the Samabula-based Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Fiji, which, for the first time in 53 years, received a State representative, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau as chief guest.
Ratu Epeli spoke about the role the organisation played in ensuring people understood the importance of peace within a country.