I have instructed my Minister for Education to ensure that all Hindu faith-based schools are to be closed tomorrow (Friday) to enable Hindu students and teachers to celebrate Ram Naumi, the birth of the Hindu God, Lord Rama. This is in line with the practice of previous years and there is no reason to deviate from that practice in 2016.
The Minister had originally ruled that these schools be opened because of the amount of lesson time lost to students because of Tropical Cyclone Winston. But he has since accepted my advice on the matter.
Fiji is a multi-faith country and a central tenet of my Government’s philosophy is that the religious beliefs of all Fijians must be respected. The strength of our secular state derives from our mutual respect for our respective faiths and we must always uphold the beliefs of others and strive to celebrate with them.
The nation joins me in wishing our Hindu brothers and sisters, and others taking part in Ram Naumi, the holiest of days as they commemorate this important event tomorrow.
J.V Bainimarama
Prime Minister