The Inter-Religious Dialogue Columban Mission Office in Suva, Fiji, has been focusing on bringing together young believers from different religions to raise awareness about environmental issues. Report by the Columban’s IRD coordinator in Fiji, Priscilla Magdalin.
Our Muslim sisters at the Save our Ocean event hosted by the Inter-Religious Dialogue Columban Mission Office in Suva, Fiji.
One of our recent interfaith events, Save our Ocean, aimed to highlight the importance of protecting the ocean from pollution. About 75 young people from seven different religious communities united to present on the importance of the oceans and seas in God’s creation at the Fiji Museum.
The event was a combination of presentations and performances by representatives from different religious groups. Members of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints opened the event with a parade of ‘sea creatures’ and a film about the ocean’s beauty. Young Hindu women from the Arya Samaj organisation gave a presentation on protecting the environment. A large group of young Muslim women interacted creatively with the audience in their presentation on the degradation of the ocean, which included a beautifully sung passage from the Holy Quran in Arabic. Three speakers give short five-minute presentation on the depravations of black-sand mining, recycling, and our duty to respect God’s creation.
Performance-wise, everyone enjoyed a traditional Indian dance performed by four members of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre. Young members of the Suva branch of the Sanatan Dharm group performed a mime and presented research on the ocean’s pollution with a large colourful banner held by the presenters’ mothers. The Methodist youth performed a drama on littering and a lively meke, a traditional Fijian dance. The Shobna Chanel dance group flowed magnificently in their long purple costumes and white veils. Tamavua Catholic youth mimed the littering of land and sea with consumer packaging. A small group of Columbans sang a hymn unique to the Columban Centre about all of creation being fashioned by God’s hand, blessed and holy, and that the earth doesn’t belong to us, but we belong to the earth.
It was a great opportunity for the young people to express their gratitude for what has been given to us and to feel connected as people of faith. After the presentation and performances, everyone came together to enjoy a vegetarian meal, deepening bonds, and friendship.
Priscilla Magdalin is the coordinator of the Interreligious Dialogue Columban Mission Office in Suva, Fiji.
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