Fiji for all Fijians: Akbar

We are truly proud of our diversity and the many cultures that make up our society, says Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar

Fiji is for all Fijians, says Min­ister for Health and Medical Services Minister Rosy Ak­bar.

“We are the home to different ethnic groups with different cus­toms and traditions and different regions- Christianity, Islam, Bud­dhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and many others whose followers live in peaceful co-existence,” said Ms Akbar

Speaking at the Chinese New Year reception held at the Chinese Cultural Centre Ganilau House in Suva, yesterday, she reminded peo­ple that such celebrations provide an opportunity to demonstrate the richness of the Chinese culture and also promoted multi-cultural harmony and diversity amongst all communities who were now known as Fijians. This year, Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 16.

“Fiji has a unique population com­position in the Pacific and we are truly proud of our diversity and the many cultures that make up our so­ciety,” she said.

“She encouraged those present to continue with the culture of unity and peace and also promote accept­ance for each other and in our reli­gious beliefs.

“Celebrate your common goals more than your differences. Cel­ebrations such as the one we are witnessing today provides an op­portunity for us to embrace the uniqueness of each cultures and nurture everlasting friendship and bonding.

“On behalf of the Fijian people and the Fijian Government, I would like to wish Chinese families and communities a very Happy New Year and I hope the friendship will continue to be everlasting.”

Ambassador of the People's Re­public of China to Fiji, Qian Bo, who has just arrived, was pleased to celebrate the New Year with Fi­jians for the first time.

Mr Qian said now in China, every street and household decorated and everybody was busy shopping for the New Year and going back home for family reunion to celebrate New Year together.

“The traditional Chinese New Year is also called the “Spring Fes­tival” in China, and Chinese have been celebrating the Spring Fes­tival for more than 4000 years. It usually falls around the First So­lar Term called the Beginning of Spring,” said Mr Qian.

“At the spring, people of all ethnic groups in China will have celebra­tion.

“They offer sacrifices to God and ancestors, pray for good harvest, and hold a variety of ceremonies of discarding old and bringing in new things.

“It is the most important festival when all family members, relatives and friends gather together to ex­press their best wishes for the com­ing New Year.”

He said the way people celebrate their traditional festival was part of their culture.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

lusiana.tuimasala@fijisun.com.fj