Let’s reject religious antagonism in our political debate

Let’s learn from the issues that arose when the country went into the general elections in 2014. It was the first time our country was going to the polls under the 2013 Constitution.

Some Opposition politicians had rubbished the Constitution. They went around the country spreading misinformation that land would be lost under the 2013 Constitution and that the rights of indigenous Fijians were not safe.

Four years later, we are once again preparing to go to the polls.

The same politicians have climbed out of their holes. Their tactic is the same, but the message has changed.

In the last four years, not an inch of iTaukei land has been permanently alienated from iTaukei landowners.

In the last four years, court cases have been fought and won under the 2013 Constitution. They proved the Constitution safeguarded every Fijian.

So clearly this is not the message politicians who are desperate to snatch power from the FijiFirst Government will harp about.

The iTaukei have seen that their land is safe.

The same politicians involved in misinformation in 2014 are back in action.

Before it was a racial issue between Indo-Fijians and iTaukei. Now the same desperate politicians and their cronies are fanning the flames of Muslims versus the rest of Fiji.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confronted this issue head on during a talanoa session in Vanua Levu. He reminded Fijians not to forget how politicians have used race as a pawn and now it was religion.

In 2014, videos recorded on CDs were circulated, talking about how the 2013 Constitution spelled doom for the iTaukei.

Leaflets were handed out where desperate politicians claimed they would be able to reverse freehold land to iTaukei land, knowing full well it cannot be done. They know that if it comes down to policies, there aren’t many things that Opposition political parties can offer against the ruling FijiFirst.

So religion becomes the convenient scapegoat. But, when we head to the polls this year, we need to reject this notion that Fijians can be swayed by politicians who are using religion as a tool.

We need to show people we are better than this. We need to tell the politicians that the 4.2 per cent Muslims who have lived peacefully in this country for ages are also Fijians and that their religion does not make them any different from any other Fijian.

Let’s reject religious antagonism.