NFP provisional candidate accused of uttering anti-Muslim remarks
The use of religion in political campaigns has allegedly reared its ugly head again. This time, a National Federation Party provisional candidate has been accused of using anti-Muslim rhetoric by residents of Nukuloa in Ba.
Many residents were afraid to be interviewed or identified, although they confirmed what the provisional candidate allegedly said. Their response comes in the wake of a Fiji Sun-Razor Poll which finds that 60 per cent of 1000 people interviewed said the Opposition was using race and religion in their campaigns.
One resident, Jashwant Lal, 35, said in a conversation at his residence that the provisional candidate allegedly told him that Muslims would rule Fiji if the FijiFirst Government won the 2018 general election.
Mr Lal said at about 7pm on Saturday the provisional candidate allegedly told him that the AttorneyGeneral would make this a Muslim country if the FijiFirst Government won the elections.
“If FijiFirst wins, Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum will make everyone a Muslim were his exact words,” Mr Lal claimed.
“This will become a Muslim country and more Muslims will be brought into the country.
“The provisonal candidate told us to vote for other parties instead of FijiFirst.
“If you do not vote for NFP, then vote for Social Liberal Democratic Party, (SODELPA).
“The candidate told us that they would also increase the minimum wage rate.”
Mr Lal said that he had told the candidate that they had already decided on which party they would be voting for.
Mr Lal’s wife confirmed that the provisional candidate had come to their residence on Saturday night, however, she never heard their conversation. Mr Lal said that he was at their residence for 10 minutes and had handed over his NFP identification card.
“When I told him which party I was voting for, he just gave his ID and left,” Mr Lal said.
“Such comments can create a cultural conflict in Fiji. We have freedom of cultural expression in Fiji which is all we want.
“I told him that a Muslim takeover will never happen in Fiji and that everyone will live in peace and harmony.”
Some residents confirmed that the provisional candidate had also visited their houses.
NFP leader Biman Prasad said people would say all sorts of stuff, but he would only comment once there was solid evidence regarding the alleged incident.
When I told him which party I was voting for, he just gave his ID and left. Such comments can create a cultural conflict in Fiji. We have freedom of cultural expression in Fiji which is all we want. I told him that a Muslim takeover will never happen in Fiji and that everyone will live in peace and harmony. Jashwant Lal Ba resident