“The Fijian Elections Office has disqualified FijiFirst party pro­visional candidate Naziah Ali on the ground that she was out of country for more than six months in two years.

Party General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum announced this in Tavua last night.

Ms Ali, who is married to Fiji soccer skipper Roy Krishna, travelled globally for more than six months in the past two years because of her business, Mai Life magazine and Fiji Airways inflight magazine Fiji Time, for which she also wrote articles.

Last night she was announced as the leader of Fi­jiFirst youth wing.

A disappointed Ms Ali said she accepts the decision.

“I accept it because the law needs to be upheld. I will continue to support and represent the youth of Fiji and support the party.”

While addressing the crowd in Tavua last night she said the young in Fiji were not forgotten.

“My hope for the future is for more young people in the Fijian Parliament. The FijiFirst party believes in the youth that is why there is a good number of young candidates running for the gen­eral election.

“I believe that the active involvement of young people will help carry the par­ty policies and, in doing so, will help to improve our nation.

“It is a matter of inter-generational eq­uity. It’s important for youth to have a real voice at the highest level of decision making.

“The FijiFirst Party by empowering a younger, more progressive voice ensures an inclusive style of leadership on is­sues that the current government cham­pions from tackling climate change, to modernising government, to education and bus fare funding and so on.

“There are also the intrinsic benefits of properly reflecting the significant youth population in Fiji, which make up al­most 70 per cent of the population.

“It also means seeking out young peo­ple who otherwise won’t seek out poli­tics themselves, especially in schools. The answer is in participation that not taking part is not going to stop anything from happening, but it means it will hap­pen without their say,” she said.

Ms Ali also outlined her plans as the leader of the FijiFirst Youth Wing.

“The FijiFirst Party believes in the youth that is why there is a good number of young candidates running for the general elections. I will continue to work with the candidates as we have done over the past month to garner the support of the public especially the youths so that their issues are represented at the highest level of decision making.”

She said this was important because it reflects the significant youth population in Fiji which is almost 70 per cent of the population.

“It also means seeking out young people who otherwise won’t seek out politics themselves especially in schools and universities.”

Ms Ali believes that the answer is in participation – from registering to vote, discussing their issues and voting on elections day.

She said one of their areas of focus would be to improve opportunities for young people especially in business and in agriculture to ensure increased economic activity.

“The young candidates chosen by the party are some of the most dedicated and inspiring youth I’ve met who have the interest of the people at heart. I’m sure when they make it to parliament they will have a huge impact on not only the youth but everyone in the country. ”

Ms Ali was inspired to contest the election under the FijiFirst banner for several reasons.

“As a young girl, I had worked with my mother through the church helping the poor and needy. I always wanted to someday do more for my country and to have an impact on the lives of people who are less fortunate. My philanthropic work and media and UN work allowed me to make some impact but I wanted to do more.

“I have seen how the rural community and the underprivileged missed out on their basic human rights due to their socio-economic status such as their right to education because back then being educated was a privilege only the wealthy enjoyed. Seeing the positive work carried out by this Government encouraged me to take the step to join the party.”

FijiFirst Youth leader, Naziah Ali and her husband Roy Krishna.

Fighting for racial unity and religious tolerance was a major reason Ms Ali choose FijiFirst.

“For too long we have been picking sides as if one race is more important than the other. I want to fight against these stereotypical thinking because we are equal. I have both indo-Fijian and iTaukei blood running through my veins and I feel strongly about this because I know first hand how it feels to be discriminated against.

“I know what it’s like for both an iTaukei to be discriminated against and for anIndo Fijian to be discriminated against. As someone who was raised by a muslim father and a Christian mother and now married to a Hindu, I understand what it’s like to be picked on because of religion.”

Recently Ms Ali was attacked on social media because her husband, Roy Krishna wore masi during their tevutevu.

“I don’t see the same happening when a foreigner is seen wearing masi as a wedding outfit at the many resorts that promote a Fijian wedding experience?

“I’ve gone through numerous cyber attacks over my name so I know what other Muslims in this country go through when they get selected on merit.  Why do we have to always differentiate?”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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