Fiji is an independent island republic in the Pacific Ocean, made up of a few large islands and over 300 smaller ones; collectively (18,270 km sq), they are slightly smaller than Wales. Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. The islands have a varied population of Fijian Melanesians (51%), Indians (44%), Europeans, and others. English is the official language of Fiji, but among themselves, the ethnic Fijians usually speak Fijian, and the Indians speak Hindustani.
Where the Muslims Came From
Fijian Muslims were originally Indian immigrant laborers for the sugar cane industry, brought to the islands between 1879 and 1920. Many Muslim families eventually farmed small plantations of sugar cane. Indian Hindu groups invested in building schools and pursuing Western education. Muslims, however, put an emphasis on traditional Islamic schooling to protect and promote their identity and therefore have been under-represented in institutions, civil service, and the professions.
In recent years, Islamic teachers have been employed in Fiji's mosques and schools. Saudi Arabian finances have been used to organize trips for Muslims going to Mecca. In the past 20 years, an increasing number of Muslims have begun using Arabic forms of dress, thought by some Muslims to make them "real Muslims". The majority, however, remain fairly nominal, though they usually react strongly if someone converts to Christianity.
The majority of Muslims live in the western area of the largest island. The first mosque was built in Navau in 1900. Now there are approximately 200 mosques and prayer houses in Fiji; in the rural areas, the Muslim communities can be identified by their presence. However, in the urban areas, particularly in the capital Suva, the Muslim population is mixed with other groups and is less easy to identify.
Flag of Fiji
Map of Fiji
Christian missions are just beginning to recognize the cultural and religious distinctions between the different Indian people groups in Fiji. As a result, the conversion of Muslims has so far been more accidental than deliberate. However, small numbers of Muslims are coming to Christ through many denominations. At the present time there are only a few former Muslims who are actively witnessing to their community.
Prayer guide for Fiji:
* In recent years the church in Fiji has grown in unity, with notable miracles taking place. Pray that these positive events would influence Muslims toward Christ (Acts 2:42-47).
* Christian congregations and fellowships of former Muslims are needed to help new Muslim converts grow in discipleship. Pray for church-planting teams (Col 4:5-6).
* Most Muslims who are coming to Christ receive threats from their religious leaders and pressure from relatives. Many lose their jobs and are cast out by their families and friends. Pray that they would have courage and commitment (Rev 12:11).
Background on Fiji (World Factbook)
Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.
Economy of Fiji
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange.
About Fiji
Population: 883,125 (July 2011 est.) World rank #159
Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.31 years. World rank #138
Ethnic groups: Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese)
Religions: Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)
Languages: English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy: 93.7% -- Male: 95.5 %, Female: 91.9 %
School life expectancy: 13 years
Video: Mission Trip to Fiji
This is a sideshow of my adventures on Courtney's Fiji mission trip with awesome tribal music.
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Pray for Fiji Indians:
* for encourgment of the few Indian Christians in Fiji
* for the Muslims to recieve dreams, visions, and revelations of Christ
* for Bible translation and distribution among Fiji Indians
* for Hinu Fiji Indians to see there's only one God
* for Christian workers for the Fiji Indians
This article is so misinformed!
Muslim Fijian Indians have always been well represented in the professions and civil service, as well as sport and politics. The achievements of Muslims are equal or greater than their proportion in the population.
Muslim Fijian Indians have been attending Christian, Hindu and secular schools for generations. I attended a Christian school but my parents attended Muslim, Hindu and secular schools. Many Hindus and Christians attend Muslim schools. Whilst we Fijian Indian Muslims and Hindus have appreciated the educational and humanitarian help provided by the early missionaries amongst indentured Fijian Indians such as Hannah Dudley, JW Burton and Reverand John Williams, we resisted becoming 'Food Christians'. We still resist.
The strength of the Muslim and Hindu communities today owes a great deal gratitiude to our ancestors for resisting such temptation in times of such adversity such as the indenture period. Our religion was what held us together in such dehumanising circumstances perpertrated by our so called civilized white Christian overseers.
We will not be broken.
PS: I suggest you read books by Dr Brij Lal and Dr Ahmed Ali (no relation) on the indenture period and the reaction to Christianity so you can better inform yourself.
Dear Dr. Ali,
I appreciate your comment. You are right that Muslims in Fiji have contributed greatly to the society, and continue to do so. And I agree that wrongs have been committed, countless times, by Christians who thought they were doing the right thing. They should have recognized that they were not being loving in their dealings with fellow humans, and that should have been enough to show them the need to change. I am glad, too, that your ancestors resisted temptations thrown their way. No man should ever be tempted or forced to change his religion. And certainly, no man anywhere should ever be broken by another.
Jesus said that he came so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly. And he said that he came to show us the way to the Father. Those are messages that Christians are still telling today. I hope they can be told without any tempting or breaking.
Sincerely,
Tom Covington
How we are serving three gods?
Regarding the divinity of Jesus, would you look through Mark which states, (Mark 12:28-30).
Bible unambiguously states: Jehovah, He is God, there is none besides Him (Deuteronomy 4.35) ……that all the people of the earth may know that Jehovah is God and that there is none else.(1 Kings8.60) and so on.
Encyclopedia Americana says that monotheism began as a theological movement at a very early stage in history, and that it preceded the belief in the trinity tens of thousands of years. It also goes on to say that Christianity was a product of Judaism, which was very strict as far as monotheism was concerned. The belief in the trinity was only admitted in the fourth century AD and did not accurately reflect the original Christian belief in the true nature of God, rather, the trinity was a deviation from that original belief.”(c.f.V 27, p. 294).
Sean, thus it is clear that there is no point in going with the current services of the churches which has taken Jesus as the Lord, God or the Son of God.
AND IN THIS WAY WE ARE SIMPLY DECEIVING OURSELVES.
Sean, can we stand before God with this religious standing?
(Edited for Brevity, Admin)