Fiji’s Religious Leaders Pledge Unity and Reconciliation through Peace Talanoa

Forty-four religious, youth and education representatives gather in Suva to share the values of peace across faith and ethnic lines

 

 

Religious leaders and community representatives in Fiji came together to promote mutual understanding and unity across religious and ethnic boundaries.

The “ONE FIJI: Peace Talanoa for Unity and Reconciliation” was held on May 27 at the Darul Huda Complex in Suva, Fiji. The event brought together 44 religious leaders, youth leaders and representatives from the education sector to promote mutual respect and social cohesion in Fijian society through interfaith dialogue and peace education. The programme began at 6:30 p.m. and continued for approximately three hours.

 

 

Hon. Shalen Kumar, assistant minister for the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts, attended the event as the chief guest. Religious leaders representing Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism delivered presentations on the meaning of peace and reconciliation from the perspectives of their respective faith traditions.

The speakers were Pandit Bhuwan Dutt of the Arya Samaj; Rev. Anil Reuben, deputy general secretary and minister of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma; Imam Kasim of the Fiji Muslim League; and Gurdev Kaur, a representative of Fiji’s Sikh community.

The speakers emphasized that peace is more than the absence of conflict. They described it as an ongoing process of restoring relationships and strengthening solidarity within communities through forgiveness, mutual respect, justice and dialogue.

 

 

Participants also watched a video featuring peacebuilding efforts in Mindanao and explored how dialogue and reconciliation can help transform conflict into peace. Several participants said they were deeply inspired by the example and expressed their commitment to taking a more active role in advancing peace in Fijian society.

A graduate of the Leadership Education Programme, or LEP, then shared reflections on completing the programme. Reflecting on the hardships and social conflicts Fiji has experienced, the speaker stressed the need to move beyond pain and division and build a united future through sincere dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.

 

 

The event also included an activity in which participants wrote messages of peace for future generations. The leaders wrote their messages on Fiji-themed drawings created by students of Suva Primary School. The drawings and messages were delivered to the school the following day.

The activity served as a reminder that today’s leaders have a responsibility to leave a peaceful future for Fiji’s children.

Throughout the programme, participants also expressed support for the peace initiatives of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). They expressed appreciation for HWPL’s efforts to advance peace in the international community and affirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in promoting a culture of peace throughout Fiji.

“ONE FIJI: Peace Talanoa for Unity and Reconciliation” provided a meaningful platform for Fiji’s diverse religious and ethnic communities to unite around the shared goals of peace and reconciliation.

Participants concluded the gathering by pledging to contribute to national unity and lasting peace in Fiji through continued dialogue and mutual respect.