Page 8 - IB March 2025

We Say We Say

LEARNING FROM FAITH-BASED

TEACHINGS

By Netani Rika It also teaches that all are equal worship, the enraged king challenged
before God. Rich or poor, every follower his son to sit on a pyre with the king’s
Between March and April this year, of Islam must fast during Ramadan – wicked sister, Holika, who was believed
three of the world’s largest religions only the sick are exempt. to be immune to fire.
celebrate important dates. And Ramadan teaches the need for While Prahalad survived the blaze,
On March 1, the Muslim community individual sacrifice, sometimes to the Holika was not as fortunate.
started its annual fast of Ramadan, point where one must do without the In essence, therefore, Holi signifies
sometimes known as Ramzan. comforts of life. the eventual victory of righteousness
This month-long time of prayer and We should all reflect upon the over evil.
renewal is a cornerstone of Islam and important message Ramadan offers and This message holds special
allows the faithful to reflect on the be prepared to be true examples of significance for Fiji as it attempts to
year which has passed and the months whatever faith in which we believe. navigate through a particularly difficult
ahead. By doing this, we become tolerant, time in its history.
Fasting is not an easy task and, loving and accepting people with the Like Prahalad, we must never lose
therefore, is an overt sign of dedication potential to build great nations, no sight of our faith in God, despite the
to and recognition of a creator who matter what our differences may be. tribulations of daily life and the evil
cares for the people. perpetrated upon us by groups or
During Ramadan it is common Colourful thanksgiving individuals.
for families to pray together at the Also in March, Hindus worldwide We must recognise the fact that each
beginning of the day before setting out celebrated Holi – the festival of colours. person who dwells on this earth has
to perform their tasks. Originally an agricultural festival, been created by God.
At the end of the day, the family Holi—or Phagwa as it is sometimes As such, we are brothers and sisters
gathers to break the fast with a meal of known—marked the arrival of the new who have a duty to do good to those
thanksgiving and celebration. moon and the beginning of spring. with whom we live.
It is not unusual in today’s busy world It was and continues to be celebrated Too often, however, we are blinded
for children to eat every meal during with general merry-making, singing, by racism, greed, religious or cultural
the week without one or both parents. dancing, the lighting of bonfires and differences, and become intolerant
This is how the family begins to lose spraying friends and family with towards others.
sense of the importance of spending coloured powder or water. As the Hindu community celebrates
time together to share the joys or The festival was introduced to Fiji by Holi, let us join their celebrations and
tribulations which each day has brought the Girmitiya, who first arrived in 1879, look within ourselves at the evil which
for every member of this group. bringing with them the rich and ancient exists in each of us.
But every year the Muslim community cultures of a land with centuries of This may not be an easy task
is compelled to spend time together as civilization. because it is difficult to accept our
families during this important event in Today, Holi has become an integral shortcomings, no matter how obvious
the Islamic calendar. part of Hindu religious and cultural life they may be.
Every major religion—Christianity, in Fiji, despite being considered a minor But for Fiji to move forward, it is
Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism—calls festival when compared to Diwali and imperative that we make a critical
on members to fast at some time or Ram Naumi. analysis of ourselves - our thoughts,
another. Because of its significance to words and deeds.
But few followers of these religions agriculture, Holi has greater Let us destroy the evil in our lives as
are as dedicated in this aspect of their importance in the lives of rural farming Holika was destroyed on the pyre.
belief as the believers of Islam. communities, where it is celebrated And may we then be able to celebrate
We have much to learn from Ramadan with fervour. with each other and live happily
and the universal values which it brings At the core of Holi, however, is the together in this land of vibrant colours,
to the people of this nation and the evil king Hiranyakashipu, who forbade cultures and religions, which is our
world. his son, Prahalad, from worshipping home.
Ramadan teaches that self-discipline Vishnu – whom Hindus deify as the
is important if we are to worship God in creator. A time of penance and remorse
spirit and in truth. When Parahalad continued to Beginning in March and ending in April

8 Islands Business, March 2025