Politics of hate, division, bigotry has no place in modern Fiji

Today we join Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar in condemning Ben Padarath’s criticism of a student’s appearance. The student’s dress and grooming standards were based on his religious belief. Mr Padarath criticised him for wearing a beard, saying it was insensitive to other students.

His lack of appreciation of the religious diversity we enjoy demonstrates his religious intolerance and prejudice, rightly described by Ms Akbar as ‘’an affront to the right of freedom of religion enshrined in the Fijian Constitution.’’

She has clarified again that consistent with the provision of the Constitution, schools are allowed to cater for student’s religious and cultural practices.

Religious festivals like Holi, Diwali, Easter and Christmas are observed in many schools. Faith-based schools are allowed to offer religious instruction. This does not stop students from practising their religious traditions. Ms Akbar gave an example that Hindu students could attend classes with the Tilak marked on their foreheads and Catholic students could mark their foreheads inash with the cross to celebrate Ash Wednesday. Students are also allowed to wear scarves, turbans, sulus, appropriate religious apparel like crucifixes or rosaries. They are also permitted to maintain different hairstyles.

Mr Padarath has implied that any of these policies has been selectively enforced. Ms Akbar says it is baseless and an ‘’ignorant incitement for ugly forces of ethnic, religious and cultural intolerance,”

She warns of a vicious strain of religious prejudice that we must address and defeat.

Religious issue aside, Mr Padarath would need to know that some people wear beards for health reasons also.

Those with sensitive facial skin find that beards protect their face. A beard is also said to help those who suffer from asthma and allergies. According to experts, facial hair traps dust, pollen and mould before they have a chance to enter the mouth and nostrils.

They say a beard can help to keep acne at bay.

If a student walks into a school with a beard based on these grounds, there is no way he will be stopped.

Mr Padarath may have come from the old school during a time when they were not as enlightened as we are today.

Nevertheless, all the stakeholders must take a moment and denounce Mr Padarath’s social media post.

There is no place in this country for religious intolerance and bigotry.

NEMANI DELAIBATIKI

Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj