Pacific Waves for 8 July 2025
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RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Hate and discrimination': Temple attack sparks outrage in Fiji's Indo-Fijian community
Damages to the Shiv Temple in the capital Suva. Photo: Screengrab / The Fiji Times Fiji's former attorney-general claims attacks on the Indo-Fijian community are on the rise and the government is largely ignoring them. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made the scathing comment after the historic Samabula Shiv Temple in Suva was vandalised on Friday. The incident - which saw 100-year-old idols destroyed - has sparked outrage amongst religious organisations and politicians alike. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object. Local media report that Samuela Tawake made his first court appearance on Monday and has been transferred to the Chief Magistrate for psychiatric evaluation. He has been remanded in custody, and the case adjourned to 28 July. Samuela Tawase made his first appearance before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrate's Court on Monday afternoon. 14 July 2025 Photo: Screengrab / The Fiji Times A video was said to have gone viral on Facebook showing a man on a rampage, smashing all of the deities in the sanctum, including one of Lord Shiva. Police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has expressed concern about the hateful rhetoric surrounding the incident and has called for calm. Tudravu said police investigations would determine the motive behind the attack and baseless speculation only aggravated the situation. The Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji is demanding the government step up protection for places of worship and strengthen laws around sacrilege. Sabha president Dhirendra Nand said a man reportedly scaled the temple fence, pryed open a door and destroyed all sacred idols in the sanctum with an iron bar, before trying to assault the caretaker. Nand said the spiritual and emotional damage caused to the Hindu community, who make up around 24 percent of the population , was immeasurable and had left thousands of devotees across Fiji deeply hurt. The Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji has also strongly condemned the vandalism , describing it as "deeply disturbing." "The Arya Sabha views such actions as criminal and an attack on the fundamental principles of religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence that form the foundation of Fiji's multicultural society," it said in a statement. Sayed-Khaiyum said in a Facebook post on Sunday said that the desecration was "the act of an individual, possibly radicalised to execute religious hatred with purpose." He questioned why Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has yet to make a statement denouncing this "egregious act of hate." "Inconsistent concern and commitment by the Prime Minister about hate speech and discrimination gives rise to, comfort and encouragement radical ethno nationalists who engage the political game of 'us' and 'them'," Sayed-Khaiyum wrote. "If not reined in and spoken against in the harshest of terms by our leaders and those in positions of authority, then such acts will only give more oxygen to others who already have or are vulnerable to hate and discrimination." Sayed-Khaiyum said the desecration of non-Christian places of worship started when "overt and blatant hate was espoused against Indo-Fijians in 1987, to justify the overthrow of the (Timoci) Bavadra government," he wrote. "This was further fuelled during and after the overthrow of the Coalition government in 2000 when Mahendra Chaudhry was elected as the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister." Sayed-Khaiyum said that the rise in attacks against Indo-Fijians is being "increasingly accepted as the norm under the current leadership. "A number of attacks on places of worship are not even reported because many in the Indo-Fijian community have lost hope that anything will be done." One of Fiji's deputy prime ministers Biman Prasad told podcaster RonCast that such sacrilege had occurred in the past and should be condemned. He said the suspect's motives were unclear and it was up to the police to determine them. In a Facebook post, Labour leader Chaudhry said the rise in such incidents demanded collective action and heightened awareness from all stakeholders. However, the former prime minister urged the public not to interpret the attack as a sign of growing religious intolerance in Fiji. While it was natural for Hindus to feel outraged, Friday's incident appeared to have involved an individual with mental impairment, he wrote. "Any attack on a temple causing destruction of sacred scriptures and statues leaves deep scars and can be divisive in a multi-religious society. "We encourage a proactive approach, including improved surveillance, community vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to safeguard our sacred spaces from further acts of desecration and hate crimes," The Vishva Hindu Parishad Fiji has also strongly denounced the "heinous desecration" of sacred idols at the temple. The national president Jay Dayaal stated that any act of sacrilege and religious intolerance is "deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms." "Hate crimes are fuelled by religious prejudices, bigotry, stereotypes and supremacist ideologies. This is an anathema to a multi-cultural society like Fiji," Dayaal said. Opposition MP Virendra Lal called for religious tolerance from all sectors of society. "I have faith that the police will ensure justice is served because our god idols were destroyed. They are sacred to us," he said. Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs also condemned the action, with its chairman labelling the attack as "senseless destruction", according to The Fiji Times . RNZ Pacific has reached out to Rabuka's office for comment.
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians topple Scotland in front of home crowd
Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo (L) runs the ball towards the try line during the rugby Test match between Fiji and Scotland at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on July 12, 2025. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says the 29-14 win against Scotland on Saturday was a result of hard work. Byrne made the comments after the one-off Test match at the National Stadium in Suva. With over 10,000 fans in attendance, including Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji turned the pressure on midway into the first half and continued that in the second spell to claim the win and avenge last year's loss in Scotland. "Really pleased for our players," the former Scotland assistant coach said. "The amount of work they put in in such a short period of time and they got the result today." Captain Tevita Ikanivere paid tribute to the players, who fought until the last whistle to secure the win. He said the disappointing three points loss to the Wallabies the weekend before was something that the team had at the back of their mind, as they took on the touring Scottish side at Laucala. "Thank the brothers for giving their all today," he said. "Hard fought battle. I thank the Scottish team for coming down to Fiji, the only Tier One nation that has come down to play us." Scotland coach Gregory Townsend said the Fijians were better and he was disappointed for the loss. "Fiji deserved to win. Disappointed for the overall performance, disappointed that we didn't work on the good start we had." Scotland had taken an early lead but they were down 15-7 at halftime. Fullback Kyle Rowe crossed the Fiji tryline three minutes into the game, and after messing up near the visitors' tryline the Fijians managed to get points on the board through the boots of flyhalf Caleb Muntz. Skipper Ikanivere added more points through a try from a rare driving maul in the 36th minute, before winger Kalaveti Ravouravou finished off a backline movement when he ran untouched from a Salesi Rayasi pass. In the second half, Scotland scored first again, through inside centre Tom Jordan, after the visitors had broken through midfield and quick recycling of the ball saw Jordan go over. France-based Jiuta Wainiqolo then broke through to score in the 60th minute, having received and inside pass from Muntz. Then a penalty try was awarded to the Fijians after Scottish winger Darcy Graham was ruled offside, and interfering with the ball, when the Fijian backline had spun the ball wide, with two players on the outside two metres from the tryline. Graham was red carded, having received an earlier yellow card in the game, and Scotland were on the receiving end of a penalty try to their hosts. And as the last seconds ticked away the Fijians were stopped short again, number eight Elia Canakaivata held up on the line as he bulldozed his way over. A highlight of the day's program was the recognition of former Flying Fijians who had played against Scotland in 1997. That included Joeli Veitayaki and Filipe Rayasi, whose sons Haeriet Hetit and Salesi Rayasi played for Fiji yesterday. Hetit is Veitayaki's son while Salesi is Filipe's son. The Flying Fijians will now prepare for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup while Scotland will meet Manu Samoa at Eden Park on Friday night.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
New All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai Makes Dream Come True
Timoci Tavatavanawai knows his dad would be incredibly proud. The Fiji-born Highlanders midfielder came off the bench in the All Blacks 43-17 win over France in the second test in Wellington to earn his first cap. "It feels good. I'm still pinching myself. To run on the field, sing the national anthem and do the haka for first time for this country is special," Tavatavanawai said. Tavatavanawai was visibly emotional during the national anthem and the 27-year-old said it was an expression of joy at having achieved one of his life ambitions. "It was always a goal of mine to play rugby for New Zealand, for the All Blacks," Tavatanawai said. "It was my goal and my dad's goal too. I just couldn't hold back [the tears], looking up at the sky to him where he's watching over me as I made the dream come true." Tavatavanawai, who has nine siblings, moved to New Zealand in 2017 to chase that dream. Sadly, his father died in 2022, before he had the chance to return to Fiji to visit him. He could not attend the funeral due to border restrictions at the time. "He'll be smiling at the moment. His shoulders will be up and he'll be going around telling people up there that we made it," he said. New Zealand Rugby organised for Tavatavanawai's mum to fly to New Zealand for his debut. "They flew over yesterday [Friday] morning. A few people behind the scenes, the management staff, pulled some strings and made some calls and made it happen for her and two of my younger siblings to come over and watch." He said was an emotional moment when he saw his mum and brothers. "I picked them up at the airport and for my younger siblings, it was their first time in New Zealand and first time on the plane. That's why it was extra special today. "Mum said to me, just go out there and be yourself." Tavatavanawai did just that and coach Scott Robertson said he impressed on debut. "He's a man of few words but when he spoke about himself and his nine siblings and his family, it's a pretty incredible story and he was pretty clear on what he wanted to do [become an All Black] and for him to share it with his family is pretty special," Robertson said. "He still wanted to perform. He took those opportunities when he was out there. His story to get here is pretty special." Tavatavanawai said test rugby lived up to all the hype. "Way bigger than I expected from the start. To get a feeling and a taste of test footy [was amazing]. It's surreal."
