Fiji

 Fiji
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Location of Fiji
National AssemblyFiji
Statistics:
Total Population
 -  UN 2021[1] 924,610
Bahá'í pop.
 -  Bahá'í source  
 -  Non-Bahá'í source 2,435
History:
Firsts
 -  National Assembly 1970 
 -  National Convention 1970 
Related media
Categories: Fiji • People

Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji is located south of Tuvalu, southwest of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, west of the Tonga, North of New Zealand, and east of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands of which about 110 are permanently inhabited and more than 500 islets. Total area is about 18,300 square kilometers (7,100 sq mi). Fiji had a total population of 926,276 in 1918 with most of the population living on the two major islands of Viti Levu (67%) and Vanua Levu (20%).[2]

History[edit]

Early Developments[edit]

The Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand began teaching work in the Pacific islands. In late 1950 to early 1951, a Bahá’í Group was established in Suva, Fiji. The group consists of six Mulem Indian believers and one who was educated by Christian Missionaries. It includes one Christian-Mulmem couple who could not speak of religion before but now speak of little else. They have two children, Bahá’í youth who are also very enthusiastic.[3] Mrs. G. Blum of New Zealand visited the Group in Suva. She reported that they were making every effort to form an Assembly by Rid Ván 1952.[4] During her visit she stayed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nur Ali demonstrating the teachings about the Oneness of Mankind in an island where race and color bears are much evident. She was able to present the Faith to many. She also interviewed the Colonial Secretary, radio and press officials.[5]

In 1952 weekly firesides were being held in Suva. A young man, age 19, was the first native Figian to enroll in the Faith.[6] It was announced that Mrs. Else Norden Walden also planned to visit in Suva for about 6 months and would work with both Europeans and non-Europeans. The strong racial feelings in the area had limited their ability to reach the European community.[7] Also, Mr. Fazal Khan visited the Friends in Suva. He had high praise for the devotion and dedication of the Indian Bahá’ís there. While there he presented a package of Bahá’í literature to the Public Relations Officer on behalf of the National Assembly of Australia and New Zealand.[8]

David Ali (16 years old) an Indian Bahá’í youth of Suva with a group 8 adults and 4 youth, reported that an Indian Bahá’í travel teacher sent by the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia introduced the Faith from a Qur'ánic angle to a group of Sunní Muslims whose response was only jeers and mocks. Following the presentation, the 25,000 Muslims disassociated themselves from the Bahá’ís and there was talk of a fatva. He was amazed that such a small group could threaten such a large group.[9]

At the the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade in 1953, only Fiji and New Caledonia were open to the Faith.[10] Fiji was assigned as a goal area to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand[11]

In 1954, the first Fijian Bahá’í enrolled in the Faith.[12]

Local Spiritual Assembly of Suva, Fiji Islands incorporated, January 21, 1955.

January 21, 1955, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Suva was incorporated.[13]

In 1956 the Bahá’í community of Suva was able to register its Assembly as a "Religious Body.[14]

In June 1958 Mrs. Waldman flew to the Fiji Islands where she is filling a nursing post with the New Zealand Department of Health. Her first Feast included seven Indians and one Samoan.[15]

In October 1958, Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visited Fiji. He was the first Hand of the Cause to visit Fiji. He visited an isolated Fijian Bahá’í who introduced him to several friends which led to a small gathering that evening. He was going on to Samoa but agreed to make a presentation to some Indian school teachers upon his return. There were numerous other opportunities to present the Faith.[16]

National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands[edit]

Attendees at the First National Convention or th3 South Pacific Islands.

On April 22, 1959, the first teaching conference for the South Pacific Islands was held as a prelude to the National Convention. Thirty-four believers attended from five island groups. Hand of the Cause Mr. Featherstone acted as chairman.[17] On April 23, 1959 in Suva, Fiji Islands the first Annual Convention of the South Pacific Islands was held. There were 60 believers present including Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone, 5 Auxiliary Board members, 5 Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, nine delegates (from Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga) and visitors. Delegates from the Caroline Islands were unable to attend because of transportation issues.Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 341, Pg(s) 4-5. View as PDF.</ref>[18]

Fiji reported their first summer school was held from December 17 to 22, 1959 and the National Assembly of the South Pacific Islands was incorporated in Fiji.[19] The Fiji Broadcasting Commission allocated three "Early Morning Devotions" broadcasts to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Suva. and the Island Teaching committee of Fiji issued its first "Newsletter" for the groups and isolated believers.[20]

The Bahá’ís of Fiji were excited to be notified by Hand of the Cause Mr. Collis Featherstone the Mrs. Shirin Fozdar would make a stop in Fiji on a world tour. Her arrival at Nadi Airport on March 16, 1960 was preceded by extensive publicity. She arrived on Wednesday, March 16 and from then until her departure on Saturday, she was constantly in demand. There were presentations at schools, interviews on radio programs, individual contacts and a public meeting on Friday evening in Suva where she made a presentation to a crowded hall where she talked about the religions of the past and of the future and presented proofs of the Bahá’í Faith.[21]

On April 30, 1960 under the provisions of the Charitable Trusts Ordinance, the Registrar-General of the Government of Fiji recognized the incorporation of the National Assembly of the South Pacific Islands.[22]

In 1962, Mr. Nur Ali, a well-known and respected believer in Suva, passed on. He was the first believer in the Fiji Islands, served as chairman of the Suve Spiritual Assembly and his home was the center of many Bahá’í activities. At his funeral there was a large gathering at his funeral, the first Bahá’í funeral in Fiji, representing numerous races, religions and sects.[23]

Leading up to the Annual Convention for the South Pacific Islands in 1962, Hand of the Cause Dr. R. Muhájir arrived. His visit was well covered by press and radio publicity. He held local meetings which aroused enthusiasm. Delegates and visitors from the Fiji Islands, the Gilberts, Western and America Samoa, the Solomons, Tonga, New Hebrides and New Caledonia followed. A one day teaching conference was held the day before the convention. All of the Crusade goals except for the Marshall Islands had been won by this time. the conventions set up a schedule of inter-island teaching conferences for the rest of the year.[24]

National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean[edit]

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean elected Riḍván 1964. Left to right, front row: Mr. Idris, Miss Irene Jackson, Mrs. Mary Tuataga, Hand of the Cause, H. Collis Featherstone. Back row: Latu Tu’akihekola, Stephen Percival, Lisiate Maka. Absent: Miss Mabel Sneider, Joe Russell, Richard Welland.

The first teaching conference of the National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean was held in Suva, Fiji oo April 22, 1964, leading up to the first convention and election of the National Assembly. Only seven believers from Tonga, four from Western Samoa, one from American Samoa, one from New Guinea and nine from Fiji was in attendance. Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featerstone spoke on the significance of the event and said they should not be discouraged by the smallness of their numbers. Following the teaching conference, the first Annual Convention was held on April 23 to 25. The goals assigned to the National Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean included goals to purchase national endowments, headquarters and Temple sites for all areas in conjunction with other teaching plans.[25][26]

Mr. Roddy Lutchmaya, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean visited Fiji in 1959. He spoke at three public meetings, was interviewed on radio and spoke at several firesides. He also visited Fijian villages where he attracted the warm attention of the people as well as the chiefs.[27]

In 1968, the Fiji government approved the appointment of a Bahá’í marriage officer. The National secretary, Mrs. Irene Williams, was appointed.[28]

The First International Bahá’í Conference of the South Pacific was held from December 29, 1969 to January 2, 1970 in Apia, Western Samoa. There were ninety registrants to the conference from American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tonga, the United States and Western Samoa. Many of the Islanders spent a week traveling by boat each way. Hand of the Cause 'Abu'l-Qásim Faizí taught many of the classes. Counsellors Suhayk 'Alá'í, three Auxiliary Board members, and several National Assembly members were also present.[29]15

National Spiritual Assembly of Fiji[edit]

Mr. Olinga honored by age-old Fijian custom of presentation of tabua (whale’s tooth). Photo shows Mr. Sekove Tasoqosoqo, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, making the presentation.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Fiji was formed at Rid Ván 1970 attended by Hand of the Cause Dr. R Muhájir along with Counsellor Shayla Ala'i. A few weeks later Hand of the Cause Mr. H. Collis Featherstone spent a few days in Fiji. He visited friends in the nearby village areas along the Rewa River in Lamanikoro, Navuso and Naluwai village. A few months later, Hand of the Cause Mr. Enoch Olinga who wanted to meet with the "masses of the land." The National Assembly nine public meetings throughout Fiji and a Teaching Conference for the believers. The public meetings were advertised extensively.[30]

May 20 to 23, 1971, the Oceanic Conference at Suva, Fiji was held with Hands of the Cause, Dr. Muhájir and H. Collis Featherstone, representative of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir, and Cousellors Suhayl 'Ala'i, Howard Harwood, and Thelma Perks present. There were also several Auxiliary Board members present and 40 members of Australasian National Assemblies.[31]

In 1977, Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qásim Faizí visited Fiji. During his visit, Mr. Faizí presented Professor Frank Bresnahan, deputy vice-chancellor one of the universities in Fiji, with proclamation material. The next year during the university's annual "Pacific Week" of regionally-oriented events, the Bahá’í club was given equal status with Hindu, Christian, and Muslim student groups to mark the opening of the week's activities. Each group was given 15 minutes to make a presentation. The other groups invited guest speakers while the Bahá’ís prepared their own presentation consisting of prayers and readings from the Bahá’í Faith.[32]

On October 9, 1977, the movie The Green Light Expedition was shown at the new local theater, the Alankar, to an audience of 600 people.[33]

October 19-24, 1979, Dr. de Araujo, a full-time delegate of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, visited Fiji. The main event was a reception in Suva that was attended by several Fijian officials from government, the judiciary, and United Nations agencies as well as six members of the National Assembly and three Auxiliary Board members. Dr. de Araujo spoke about Bahá’í principles and the Faith's involvement in the United Nations. Both he and his wife, a freelance artist, were subjects of newspaper articles in the Fiji Times, interviewed on Radio Fiji.[34]

August 15-27 1980, Fiji held a National Teaching Conference in Suva. The theme of the conference was "The Spiritual Enrichment of Fiji" with about 90 people in attendance The agenda included presentations on the Covenant, teaching, and the Fund. John Handley, the National Treasurer, challenged the believers with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency by August 1981. The 20 children participated in a mini-conference lead by two pioneers from the United States and Malaysia. The conference included a public meeting at which 2 people declare.[35]

October 30 to November 3, 1980, the subregional meeting for Pacific Women sponsored by the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women was held in Suva. The Bahá’í speaker, Irene Williams, presented a paper highlighting the role of women in the worldwide Bahá’í community and its administrative bodies. She noted the Bahá’í women have been elected to serve on 12 national level bodies in the South Pacific area. She also mentioned the increasing cooperation within Bahá’í communities from urban areas and villages to advance the education of women.[36]

A new Bahá’í Center in Nasau-Moce was dedicated on March 21-22, 1981. Nasau-Moce was one of two Assemblies that were incorporated meeting that goal of the Nine Year Plan (1964-1973). In 1976, a nurse had been expelled from the village, afterwards coming close to conflict between the other religions. A meeting was set up and everyone agreed to live in peace. the dedication of the Bahá’í Center was demonstrated the success of that effort. Three members of the National Assembly attended the dedication along with many non-Bahá’ís. At the end of the plan Fiji had accomplished more of its plans that any other country.[37][38]

On October 12, 1981, the Bahá’ís were invited to participate in an interfaith ecumenical service to welcome Princess Ann of the United Kingdom upon her arrival. Her visit was to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Fiji independence. It is the first time the Bahá’ís were invited to take part in a national ecumenical event. The Bahá’ís were invited to take part in the planning and were allocated a time for a short presentation. They presented two passages from The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh and a prayer for mankind by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They were presented in Fijian, Hindi and English. They were the only one on the program to include the Fijian language.[39]

Six travel teachers from Fiji, Kiribati, and Hawaii visited the Fiji islands of Rabi, Taveuni and Koro on a five week trip aboard a "teaching yacht" owned by a believer from Hawaii in 1982. The group presented nine public talks to chiefs and villagers and enrolled six new believers. They presented thirty-six public officials and dignitaries with Bahá’í books and conducted six deepening sessions to a total of 57 Bahá’ís on the three islands.[40]

Twenty Bahá’í youth in Lomaivuna started small-scale farms on their parents property. They gave a tour for the Ministry of Agriculture. area farmers and reporters. The visit was reported on December 14, 1982 in the Fiji Times. The article mentioned that the youth were all Bahá’ís. Within seven months they had a goat farm, fish pond a poultry business, a ginger farm and dale and cassava plantations on land that was once jungle.[41] In 1984, a new Bahá’í School was started in Lomaivuna, Fiji with 21 children between the ages of three and five.[42]

On October 24, 1985,a Bahá’í delegation presented the Peace Message to the Fiji Head of State, Ratu Sir Penaiea Ganilau.[43]

In 1988, a group of Young Bahá’ís from Moce in the Lau Island group of Fiji cut sugar cane to raise money for the Fund and to travel to the Second Bahá’í World Congress to be held in New York City in 1992. Talona (Fiji Bahá’í News) reported that the group cut more truck loads per day than anyone has ever done.[44]

In 1989, one of the pioneers studying children's literature at a university in Fiji began a a weekly story-reading program at a local orphanage with 60 children. The program begins with stories in a large group setting followed by smaller groups where older children read to younger children.[45]

In 1989, Fiji held a special three-day institute to train teachers to consolidate the more than 1,000 enrollments from the Olinga Teaching Project. This began the third phase of the project during which a 10-member team will concentrate on expansion while a dozen others will work on consolidation of the new Bahá’ís.[46]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "World Population Prospects 2022". population.un.org. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Fiji". Wikipedia.
  3. ↑ Baha'i News (1951). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 245, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  4. ↑ Baha'i News (1951). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 250, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
  5. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 251, Pg(s) 9-10. View as PDF.
  6. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 255, Pg(s) 9-10. View as PDF.
  7. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 257, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  8. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 259, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  9. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 261, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  10. ↑ Baha'i News (1963). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 392, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  11. ↑ Baha'i News (1953). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 273, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  12. ↑ Baha'i News (1954). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 280, Pg(s) 2. View as PDF.
  13. ↑ Baha'i News (1955). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 297, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
  14. ↑ Baha'i News (1956). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 306, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
  15. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 258, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  16. ↑ Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 336, Pg(s) 2-3. View as PDF.
  17. ↑ Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 340, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  18. ↑ Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 341, Pg(s) 4-5. View as PDF.
  19. ↑ Baha'i News (1960). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 353, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  20. ↑ Baha'i News (1960). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 355, Pg(s) 4. View as PDF.
  21. ↑ Baha'i News (1960). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 351, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  22. ↑ Baha'i News (1960). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 354, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  23. ↑ Baha'i News (1962). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 375, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
  24. ↑ Baha'i News (1962). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 377, Pg(s) 8-9. View as PDF.
  25. ↑ Baha'i News (1963). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 393, Pg(s) 2-3. View as PDF.
  26. ↑ Baha'i News (1964). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 402, Pg(s) 8. View as PDF.
  27. ↑ Baha'i News (1969). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 464, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
  28. ↑ Baha'i News (1969). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 454, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
  29. ↑ Baha'i News (1970). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 468, Pg(s) . View as PDF.
  30. ↑ Baha'i News (1971). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 479, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  31. ↑ Baha'i News (1971). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 485, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
  32. ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 572, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
  33. ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 565, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  34. ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 577, Pg(s) 19. View as PDF.
  35. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 598, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  36. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 602, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
  37. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 607, Pg(s) 1. View as PDF.
  38. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 607, Pg(s) 12. View as PDF.
  39. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 601, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
  40. ↑ Baha'i News (1982). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 617, Pg(s) 15. View as PDF.
  41. ↑ Baha'i News (1983). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 624, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
  42. ↑ Baha'i News (1984). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 638, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  43. ↑ Baha'i News (1971). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 481, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  44. ↑ Baha'i News (1989). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 696, Pg(s) 11. View as PDF.
  45. ↑ Baha'i News (1989). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 696, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
  46. ↑ Baha'i News (1989). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 701, Pg(s) 11. View as PDF.
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