IT is insightful that in a survey conducted in the Central, Western and Northern divisions in October 2015, 89 per cent of youths stated that they were members of religious youth groups. All of the respondents stated that they were active in their faiths.
This week I interviewed Zakiya (Zek) Zeba Maqbool, a young Muslim woman and Keith Waibuta Rasova, a Christian youth.
Many young people in Fiji are actively involved in their Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths.
They usually are very humble and rarely draw attention to themselves. While youths who get into trouble with the law or are involved in anti-social activities tend to swamp the headlines, it is the silent majority of hardworking, law abiding humble youths who give Fiji its moral character.
These enduring youths of different faiths lead fulsome social lives. While we, Christians, receive our salvation through the risen Christ, we must respect that we can coexist peacefully with other faiths whose spiritual paths are different. This augers well in a multicultural Fiji where interpersonal interactions with different ethnic groups enable a harmonious environment to be created.
Zek Maqbool
I first met Zek during the Mt Korobaba hike. Like all Muslim, Hindu and Christian youths I know, Zek gets along well with youths of different ethnicity and faiths.
"I do not judge others on the basis of their religion, financial status or their gender. In a multicultural country like Fiji, we all have to live and work together peacefully so we should not discriminate," she said.
She has been to iTaukei villages as part of her studies for Lifeline Fiji work and she has been overwhelmed by their hospitality.
"They have treated me as their own and this is something I cherish."
Zek believes that her Islamic faith has strengthened her character.
"Allah (God) watches over me and supports me in my life's journey with its challenges and achievements. Whenever I fall short of my goals, I think about all those who have nothing in hand but God on their side — that is when I strive to achieve my goals again."
For the benefit of readers, I provide the following background information. Muslims believe that Islam is the original, complete and universal version of a faith that was revealed many times before through prophets.
As for the Quran, Muslims consider it to be the unaltered and final revelation of God. Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, from banking and welfare to women and the environment.
Certain religious rites and customs are observed by the Muslims in their family and social life, while social responsibilities to parents, relatives, and neighbors have also been defined. The Quran and the sunnah of Muhammad prescribe a comprehensive body of moral guidelines for Muslims to be followed in their personal, social, political, and religious life.
Zek, who attended Rishikul Sanatan and Nasinu Muslim College, has a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology and is undertaking mental health studies with APTC. She works as a volunteer for Lifeline Fiji, an NGO that provides counselling services to the public. Part of her work involves receiving calls from individuals requiring assistance.
After volunteers, such as Zek, receive calls they provide information and practical help or referrals. She listens carefully so she can understand the caller's issue(s) giving her undivided attention to bottled up emotions that are being articulated. Her demeanor is non-judgmental.
When a caller expresses suicidal tendencies, Zek, as a crisis intervention worker immediately has to ascertain the caller's safety before engaging in normal suicide intervention counseling process.
She has to calm the person by empathising with her or his situation. Zek feels strongly that her faith is a strong influence in helping her deal with people who are going through personal challenges. In the depths of despair that she witnesses in others, she draws on her faith for spiritual guidance in getting callers to feel affirmed that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel of the depressed mind.
Zek's future plan is to find a career in the social counseling and mental health services.
Keith Waibuta Rasova
The first time I met Keith Waibuta Rasova, I asked if he worked in the hospitality sector. He was so polite and gave off positive vibes. He cackled and said he was actively involved in Christian groups such as Scripture Union Fiji, Student Campus Life and Pacific Students for Christ.
He conceded that he was studying for a bacherlor of commerce degree at USP majoring in hotel management where customer service was important.
He had been involved in Christian youth activities as a high school student first in Votualevu College and later at RKS where positive interpersonal communication skills were important in witnessing to the great things that the Lord had done in his life.
He said he became a volunteer for Scripture Union in Schools because it motivated and "moulded me spiritually to grow more in God's Word; allowing me to reach out to young people in sharing the light of God's Word".
While most young people he interacted with lead well-adjusted social lives, he admits that he does interact with some who are depressed and seem to have no meaning to their lives.
"I must be ready in and out of season with His Word in order to encourage those who feel despair. When I interact with them, I make them feel comfortable in sharing their issues with me. Then I encourage them that suicide should never be an option and that life has more good things to offer if they keep on pressing on.
"John 10:10 says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Keith admits that he grew up in a community that rotated around violence, alcohol and drug abuse and as a Christian growing up in those circumstances his faith was challenged.
However, he remained steadfast that God is sovereign and that he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
"I was someone who yearned to belong in my community and being pushed aside has encouraged me to have a personal encounter with God who is full of compassion."
Keith quoted from Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will."
His advice to young people is to "pursue God in everything that you do in every aspect of your life and continue to put your trust despite the challenges you face because trust me! He will not fail you".
While Keith works towards his BCom at USP, he plans to continue "to live a life that is centred in Christ and put my faith and trust in God."
Many young people in Fiji are actively involved in their Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths.
They usually are very humble and rarely draw attention to themselves. While youths who get into trouble with the law or are involved in anti-social activities tend to swamp the headlines, it is the silent majority of hardworking, law abiding humble youths who give Fiji its moral character.
These enduring youths of different faiths lead fulsome social lives. While we, Christians, receive our salvation through the risen Christ, we must respect that we can coexist peacefully with other faiths whose spiritual paths are different. This augers well in a multicultural Fiji where interpersonal interactions with different ethnic groups enable a harmonious environment to be created.
Zek Maqbool
I first met Zek during the Mt Korobaba hike. Like all Muslim, Hindu and Christian youths I know, Zek gets along well with youths of different ethnicity and faiths.
"I do not judge others on the basis of their religion, financial status or their gender. In a multicultural country like Fiji, we all have to live and work together peacefully so we should not discriminate," she said.
She has been to iTaukei villages as part of her studies for Lifeline Fiji work and she has been overwhelmed by their hospitality.
"They have treated me as their own and this is something I cherish."
Zek believes that her Islamic faith has strengthened her character.
"Allah (God) watches over me and supports me in my life's journey with its challenges and achievements. Whenever I fall short of my goals, I think about all those who have nothing in hand but God on their side — that is when I strive to achieve my goals again."
For the benefit of readers, I provide the following background information. Muslims believe that Islam is the original, complete and universal version of a faith that was revealed many times before through prophets.
As for the Quran, Muslims consider it to be the unaltered and final revelation of God. Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, from banking and welfare to women and the environment.
Certain religious rites and customs are observed by the Muslims in their family and social life, while social responsibilities to parents, relatives, and neighbors have also been defined. The Quran and the sunnah of Muhammad prescribe a comprehensive body of moral guidelines for Muslims to be followed in their personal, social, political, and religious life.
Zek, who attended Rishikul Sanatan and Nasinu Muslim College, has a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology and is undertaking mental health studies with APTC. She works as a volunteer for Lifeline Fiji, an NGO that provides counselling services to the public. Part of her work involves receiving calls from individuals requiring assistance.
After volunteers, such as Zek, receive calls they provide information and practical help or referrals. She listens carefully so she can understand the caller's issue(s) giving her undivided attention to bottled up emotions that are being articulated. Her demeanor is non-judgmental.
When a caller expresses suicidal tendencies, Zek, as a crisis intervention worker immediately has to ascertain the caller's safety before engaging in normal suicide intervention counseling process.
She has to calm the person by empathising with her or his situation. Zek feels strongly that her faith is a strong influence in helping her deal with people who are going through personal challenges. In the depths of despair that she witnesses in others, she draws on her faith for spiritual guidance in getting callers to feel affirmed that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel of the depressed mind.
Zek's future plan is to find a career in the social counseling and mental health services.
The first time I met Keith Waibuta Rasova, I asked if he worked in the hospitality sector. He was so polite and gave off positive vibes. He cackled and said he was actively involved in Christian groups such as Scripture Union Fiji, Student Campus Life and Pacific Students for Christ.
He conceded that he was studying for a bacherlor of commerce degree at USP majoring in hotel management where customer service was important.
He had been involved in Christian youth activities as a high school student first in Votualevu College and later at RKS where positive interpersonal communication skills were important in witnessing to the great things that the Lord had done in his life.
He said he became a volunteer for Scripture Union in Schools because it motivated and "moulded me spiritually to grow more in God's Word; allowing me to reach out to young people in sharing the light of God's Word".
While most young people he interacted with lead well-adjusted social lives, he admits that he does interact with some who are depressed and seem to have no meaning to their lives.
"I must be ready in and out of season with His Word in order to encourage those who feel despair. When I interact with them, I make them feel comfortable in sharing their issues with me. Then I encourage them that suicide should never be an option and that life has more good things to offer if they keep on pressing on.
"John 10:10 says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Keith admits that he grew up in a community that rotated around violence, alcohol and drug abuse and as a Christian growing up in those circumstances his faith was challenged.
However, he remained steadfast that God is sovereign and that he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
"I was someone who yearned to belong in my community and being pushed aside has encouraged me to have a personal encounter with God who is full of compassion."
Keith quoted from Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will."
His advice to young people is to "pursue God in everything that you do in every aspect of your life and continue to put your trust despite the challenges you face because trust me! He will not fail you".
While Keith works towards his BCom at USP, he plans to continue "to live a life that is centred in Christ and put my faith and trust in God."
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