Missing Musa’s story inspires youth to call for racial unity

When a young Indo-Fijian man went missing in Bua earlier this year, something unexpected happened, Fiji forgot about race.

That moment became the centrepiece of a speech by 19-year-old Sevuloni Amatoali from the University of the South Pacific (USP), who placed second at last Friday's National Youth Oratory Competition marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Mr Sevuloni was referring to Mohammed Muzamil Hussain, known as Musa, a Labasa man whose disappearance in Bua in February sparked an outpouring of concern from Fijians of all backgrounds, iTaukei, Indo-Fijian, and Rotuman alike.

"When he was found, one thing became clear, in that time of crisis, Fiji forgot about race. We were united by humanity," Mr Sevuloni said.

"So if we can unite like that during a time of crisis, why not every day?"

He said small acts of racism, jokes about accents, cultural stereotypes, the phrase "you people", built invisible walls that quietly divided communities.

Mr Sevuloni said the solution lay in education, confronting racism openly, and choosing kindness in everyday life.

"The ocean that surrounds us does not divide us, it connects us," he said.