Neighbours Plan Christmas Picnic
spending our time here on the beach was a special moment for us this Christmas.
Tuesday 26 December 2023 | 12:14
The Mohammads and Vesikulas at at Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi on December 25, 2023. Photo: Mereleki Nai
For Tomasi Vesikula, Christmas was not only for Christians, but for different ethnicities and religions.
Yesterday, Mr Vesikula’s family and his neighbour, Mohammad Hakik’s family, spent Christmas together at the Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi.
The families are neighbours at a farming community at Namulomulo in Nadi.
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“We are just like one family,” Mr Vesikula said.
“It seems to be only us here, an Indo-Fijian family and an iTaukei family spending Christmas together.
Most Christmas, it is common for iTaukei to be spending Christmas on their own.”
But regardless of this, when it came to their special religious functions and occasions, the IndoFijian neighbour would invite the iTaukei, Mr Vesikula said.
He said Christmas signified love and unity.
“Jesus was not only born for a certain kind of people or only for us iTaukei or religion of Christianity,” he said.
“Jesus was born for all mankind.
“So, spending our time here on the beach was a special moment for us this Christmas.
“The Muslims are our family.
We want to wish all Fijians a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he added.
The Wailoaloa, Newtown and Lomolomo beaches were filled with holidaymakers soaking up the sun.
Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj
