RFMF's chief of staff for coordination, Captain Eronia Duaibe, said that Australia's bid was successful because they took a holistic approach to Black Rock's construction, rather than the "bits and pieces" tabled by China.

This comes at a time when Fiji's position between Australia and China within the Pacific is becoming more and more contested.

Increasing Chinese activity within the region as a result of China's Belt Road Initiative (BRI) has prompted Australia's re-engagement within the Pacific.

After the last coup, prime minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama adopted a stance that looked past both Australia and New Zealand and towards China.

This was partly because China did not criticise Fiji's domestic political situation, whereas Australia was particularly critical about a return to democracy within Fiji.

Some argue that China's BRI presents a sovereign risk to the Pacific islands, with only Australia's re-engagement within the area a way to turn the tide against Chinese influence.

The redevelopment at Black Rock will result in the camp being transformed into a regional hub for police and peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation.

The prime ministers of Australia and Fiji made the announcement in August in a joint media statement.

According to the statement, the Australian support will ensure the Black Rock facility will deliver enhanced capability development and stronger interoperability between the Australian Defence Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

The Black Rock base is believed to be poised as the centre for Canberra's proposed Australian Pacific Security College.

Source

• lowyinstitute.org
• fijitimes.com
• Image: The Jet Newspaper

He said some other political parties are engaging preachers in campaigns and also electing them as proposed candidates but this will not happen in the FijiFirst party.

"To see a talatala (church minister) talking or backing a political party, I would not want any talatala to be involved with politics in my FijiFirst party, I want talatalas to be independent to do what they are supposed to do."

The president of the Methodist Church, Epineri Vakadewavosa, told FBC News that Fijians had the right to support a party of their choice but this should not be practised within church premises.

Methodist ministers could join a political party only if they first resigned from the church, Vakadewavosa said.

The PM says Fijians have every right to support any political party but it's inappropriate to mix religion with politics.

Speaking at a Devi Pooja (act of worship to the Goddess Devi) celebration at the Mahadevi Temple in Nausori last week, Bainimarama said that some parties and candidates encourage people to vote along religious or ethnic lines in the coming national elections.

The prime minister said this is wrong as it's a backward way of thinking and risks the unity that society has built.

"As I said in the Ba Provincial Council Meeting just last month, religion and ethnicity should never be exploited to sow division and hate.

"This is fundamentally against the very nature of not only any religion but of our very democracy."

Bainimarama said Fijians will benefit when values-based organisations work in conjunction with the government regardless of ethnicity, background or faith.

Source

• amp.rnz.co.nz
• fijisun.com.fj
• fbc.com.fj
• Image: youtube.com

They have committed themselves to do more to help address the effects of climate change within their own faith communities, as well as make specific calls for increased ambition and action by Parties and non-state actors.

The Fiji Council of Churches, which includes the Catholic church, is among the signatories.

The Charter:

• asks States to take bold action to rapidly reduce emissions, in line with the 1.5°C goal
• seeks an effective Facilitative Dialogue that delivers:
  • greater pre-2020 ambition
  • improved NDC post-2020 emission reduction targets
  • speeding the advance to net zero emission economies
  • increased and innovative public and private finance to enable achievement of the 1.5°C goal
• urges the global community to support through sustainable financing, capacity building and technology transfer for ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction as cost-effective tools for all small island developing nations

Fiji's prime minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama is the president of COP23, the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The conference began in Bonn Germany on Monday 6 November.

The summit is being held in Bonn because Fiji does not have the resources to handle the logistics of hosting such an event, which is expensive to organise for the thousands of international delegates expected to attend.

Although the COP23 is understood to be mainly technical in nature, Fiji hopes to draw attention to the threat weighing on the inhabitants of the Pacific islands - particularly the Kiribati, Tuvalu and Marshall islands.

"We who are most vulnerable must be heard, whether we come from the Pacific or other Small Island Developing States, other low-lying nations, and states or threatened cities in the developed world like Miami, New York, Venice or Rotterdam," Bainimarama said in a speech last May.

Read the Charter

Source

• cop23multifaith.com
• France 24
• Fiji Times
• Image: UNESCO

The church's general secretary, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa, has responded by saying the church leaders would see the Prime Minister and "sort things".

Mr Vakadewavosa said the church was neutral and not a mouthpiece for SODELPA.

"The Methodist Church is a neutral organisation, biggest religious organisation in the country, and we were very sad with what had transpired with the programme (Parliament sitting)," he said.

Bainimarama told Parliament that the Methodist Church was a campaign mouth for SODELPA while responding to a question by SODELPA deputy whip, Mosese Bulitavu about a Parliamentary review the 2013 Constitution.

During a heated debate Bainimarama said that lies are being spread by the opposition and others like the Methodist Church that the iTaukei are being victimised under the constitution.

The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported that Bainimarama, who is a member of the Methodist Church, is convinced that 1987 Coup leader and current SODELPA leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, is colluding with and using the church again for political gain.

Last weekend the church released a statement entitled "Submission on Proposed Village Bylaws 2016".

The statement made reference to a number of other concerns.

According to information received by Fijivillage, the Methodist Church has asked the government:

• Extend the timeline to review proposed village by-laws
• Re-instate the Great Council of Chiefs
• Declare Fiji to be made a Christian State
• Open consultation with the Itaukei along with the removal of 17 decrees and policies which the church claims breach ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the rights of the indigenous people.
• Review the 2013 Constitution.

Source

• fijivillage.com
• fijitimes.com
• fbc.com
• Image: fijisun.com

Diwali, a Hindu festival, which signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair, involves followers of the religion decorating their homes with lights and setting off fireworks in celebration.

It is celebrated in countries such as Fiji, Guyana, Pakistan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore and Sri Lanka. It is a big occasion in India and Nepal which have large Hindu populations.

In his Diwali message, Fiji's prime minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama asked every Fijian to take time during the celebration and reflect on the source of strength as united citizens of this country.

"It always makes me proud that, year after year, our society has shown that our different faiths are a source of harmony, peace and togetherness."

"As Fijians, we share in the joy of each other's festivities and we treat our fellow Fijians with the utmost respect," he said.

The Methodist Church in Fiji has extended its well wishes to all its fellow Fijians of the Hindu faith community

Methodist Church president Reverend Dr Tevita Banivanua said: "The fact that we live in a country, that since independence has not only acknowledged the different faith communities, but also celebrates together our diverse experiences and expressions of faith, is proof that Fiji, despite our many differences can be one nation."

The people of Fiji celebrate Diwali with elaborate lighting and candle decorations. They exchange greetings, sweets and gifts of love.

Several schools also organise Diwali celebrations to help children understand its social, cultural and religious significance.

They have singing, essay writing, quizzes, rangoli making, and Diwali greeting card designing competitions besides hosting talks in Hindi, English and Fijian languages.

Some schools carry out Lakshami Pooja one of the the important rituals performed during the festival of Diwali.

Source

• thenational.ae
• fijitimes.com
• fijitimes.com
• Image: fijilive.com

Earlier the Prime Minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, has accused Rabuka of involving the Methodist church in politics.

He was commenting after a SODELPA thanksgiving service for the party leader took place at the Imanueli Methodist Church in Nadera.

Bainimarama told FijiVilliage "first it was the SVT [Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei] and now it is SODELPA."

The Methodist Church says that the SODELPA thanksgiving service was not part of its regular core worship service.

Bhagwan said Rabuka did not preach or deliver a sermon but only spoke to the congregation after the service.

He said the Methodist Church allows different groups of people to have their church service at their churches and this was no different.

SVT, sometimes known in English as Fijian Political Party, was a party which dominated politics in the 1990s and was the mainstay of coalition governments from 1992 to 1999.

FijiVillage reported that Bainimarama said this is "1987 all over again."

And he had repeated his comments about Rabuka, saying that no matter how many times the snake sheds its skin it will always remain a snake.

Rabuka said that this is not 1987, it is 2016 and they are gearing up for change in 2018.

He said he did not organise the party's thanksgiving service. Rabuka said that he was only invited to the church service and it was a thanksgiving service for the party leader.

He said that he had to respond to the words of welcome which is normal in a church service and he also put the word out about the party as it was a SODELPA church service.

Source

• fijisun.com
• fijivillage.com
• Image: 3.bp.blogspot.com

He says it underlines the unique nature of Fiji.

According to its new constitution Fiji is a multi-faith nation that guarantees religious freedom and establishes a secular state.

Bainimarama believes religion is a unifying force and a bridge between all races, no matter what denomination people belonged to.

"Many people in Fiji were alarmed by the provision in our new Constitution that makes Fiji a secular state."

"They thought that made Fiji non-religious - or even hostile to religion. Their fear is unjustified," he said.

"Our constitution simply respects all religions. Where all faiths flourish in harmony, morality and goodness prevail. That is because faith ennobles."

The Muslim community in Fiji has played a pivotal role together with other Fijians in the country's many achievements, said Bainimarama.

He made these remarks at a dinner with the British Columbia Muslim Association in Canada last week.

Fiji is a multi-race and a multi-culture country, so there is a range of religions present.

The population is 53% Christian, 38% Hindu, and 8% Muslim, with small groups of Sikhs.

It is very common to see Christian churches, mosques, and Sikh and Hindu temples throughout the islands.

Source

• fbc.com.fj
• fijitimes.com
• fijisheart.weebly.com
• Image: fijione,tv

Speaking to Radio Australia last Thursday, The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilepe Sailele, who is a Catholic, said he was delighted at the election of a Pope from a developing country.

The Prime Minster of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama,in a letter of congratulations to Pope Francis said:

"We in Fiji joined the rest of the Christian world in celebrating the appointment of the first Latin American Pope and hope that your tenure will be marked by a renewed focus on the struggle of the developing world to address the challenges of poverty eradication, child mortality, education and gender equality amongst other issues."

"We are aware of your work amongst the poor and marginalised in the Diocese of Buenos Aires and recognize and welcome your particular sensitivity to social problems and for ecumenical dialogue."

"As you have requested in your first message to the world, we in Fiji will also be praying for you...."

Father Michael O'Connor, the president of the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, said he was "surprised but very happy" at the election of Pope non-European. "This highlights the fact that the centre of the Catholic Church, at least in terms of population, is located outside of Europe. And for us, it is also the first time a Pope has the southern hemisphere, which is another plus," he said.

In American Samoa Bishop Quinn Weitzel, said the Diocese of Samoa - Pago Pago is "very pleased" with the new Holy Father, Pope Francis.

"Our former Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI was a wonderful holy servant of the Church and he fully endorses Pope Francis," Bishop Quinn wrote. "Pope Francis asked all of us to pray for him and that, we will do."

Bishop Quinn concluded, "Pope Francis is well known for his simplicity and for being a pastor among his people in Argentina. He used to take a bus to work, cook his own food, and was a great defender of the poor. He is a Pope who wants to serve others as a true servant."

Source

• Newspad
• Newspad
• Samoa News
• Image: Radio Australia

"I wish I had done this in 2001," he said.

Fiji, a former British colony made up of about 330 islands in the central Pacific Ocean, has been without an elected government since Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, also known as Frank Bainimarama, took power in a 2006 coup. It was the country's fourth putsch since independence in 1970, and he insisted that military rule was the only way to ensure an end to the spasms of political and ethnic violence that have so often destabilized the country. Mr. Bainimarama, who now eschews uniforms for civilian dress, carries the title prime minister and describes his tenure as a cooling-off period before an eventual return to democracy.

Mr. Bainimarama seemed to be keeping his word when, in January, he lifted the state of emergency that had been in place since he abrogated the Constitution in 2009. He then went further in March by announcing public consultations on the drafting of a new Constitution and a return to free elections by 2014, moves that were praised by Australia, the United States and other countries.

But before the ink was dry on the order lifting emergency rule, Mr. Bainimarama had issued sweeping new public order regulations, which many say contain provisions harsher than the laws they replaced. Censors may no longer stalk newsrooms to vet stories before they are published, but editors still risk heavy fines and prison terms if what they publish is deemed objectionable. Political parties and labor unions can hold meetings, but they must first secure permission from the police. Read more

Sources

• The New York Times
• Image: The Sydney Morning Herald