Methodist Church deletes FB post urging families to refrain from lighting fireworks until 6pm Sunday

The Methodist Church in Fiji Secretary for Communications Reverend Wilfred Regunamada is calling on leaders of the Hindu religious organisations to liaise with Christian leaders and determine an appropriate time to light fireworks during Diwali on Sunday however the National Secretary of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Vijendra Prakash says there is no need for them to consult other religious bodies about Diwali celebrations as all religious bodies know what has to be done.

In a now-deleted statement posted on the Methodist Church in Fiji official Facebook page, Reverend Regunamada wrote about a national announcement to all Hindu and iTaukei families to refrain from lighting fireworks until 6pm Sunday after church services finish.

When asked about the statement, Reverend Regunamada said there needs to be a lot of discussions between religious leaders.

He said the statement was in response to comments on social media by SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya.

Tabuya has since apologized and has deleted her comment.

She claims her comment was screenshot and taken out of context.

Tabuya had said that Sunday is the observance of the day of worship for majority of Fiji which is usually a quiet day of rest, reverence and reflection, and firecrackers will be lit on that day. She had said that surely there is more wisdom and sensitivity and the need to be more respectful.

Tabuya said that Monday has been allocated as the day, please do the right thing.

When asked why they wanted no lighting of fireworks until 6pm Sunday, Reverend Regunamada said it is not about fireworks but about Christians being a good neighbour and being at peace.

  

When asked why they wanted no lighting of fireworks until 6pm Sunday, Reverend Regunamada said it is not about fireworks but about Christians being a good neighbour and being at peace.

Reverend Regunamada now says even if there are fireworks at 7 o’clock in the morning, Christians should still be at peace. He says they should worship with an open heart. The National Secretary of Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Vijendra Prakash says it is important for Diwali celebrations to be carried out as what their followers have been doing in the last 135 years in Fiji. Prakash says there has not been any hindrance or disturbance to any religious organisations in other celebrations and they expect the same for Diwali. He says Diwali is a celebration of national importance and people from all different ethnic backgrounds are also part of the celebrations. Prakash says while they are encouraging people to save money for other important things, they can’t stop their followers from using fireworks as it is their right.