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Leaders in Fiji should stand by Hindus at this hour of need

Desecration of Temple in Nadi deplorable

Rajen Zed

Nevada USA, December 23, 2017

Hindus worldwide are highly concerned after reports of desecration in Votualevu Tirath Dham Hindu Temple in Nadi area of Fiji.

According to reports, desecration was caused on December 16 night, violating this sacred Hindu place of worship.

Damage included pouring paint over the images of deities Ganesha, Hanuman and others; graffiti/slurs on walls; theft of donation box, sound system and other equipment; rubbish strewn in prayer area.

This was stated to be third such act at the Temple.

Hindus disturbed

It was reportedly disturbing for the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful Fijian Hindu community. They have made lot of contributions to the nation and society; to receive such signals of hatred and anger.

Such incidents should not be acceptable in a country like Fiji which reportedly protects freedom of conscience, belief, and religion; and where communities of diverse faiths frequently come together to develop mutual understanding and respect.

Appeal to leaders

I urge Fijian President Major General Jioji Konusi Konrote, Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama and Commissioner of Western Division to visit this Hindu Temple to show solidarity with the Hindu-Fijians, meet the area Hindu community to reassure them and address a public rally in Votualevu condemning the desecration.

I also urge them to take the issue seriously and urgently and make sure that such incidents did not happen in the future, in order regain the reportedly falling confidence of the Hindu community.

As an interfaith gesture, I request Reverend Dr Tevita Nawadra Banivanua, President of Fiji Methodist Church, leaders of the Roman Catholic, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Anglican and other Christian denominations; and leaders of Muslim, Sikh, Baha’i and other religious communities and non-believers; and ordinary Fijians to come forward condemning this desecration and expressing solidarity with the nation’s Hindus; who had also made huge contributions to its success, prosperity and growth.

I recommend that the Hindu-Fijians should continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education and sanctity of marriage amidst so many distractions; which was the reason for their success.

Hinduism, the oldest and the third largest religion of the world, has about 1.1 billion adherents and ‘Moksh’ (Liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Rajen Zed is President of Universal Society of Hinduism based in Nevada, United States of America.

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