Methodist Church supports Fijian identity for all

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma has proposed that all citizens of Fiji should be identified as "Fijians," while the indigenous population should retain the specific identity of "iTaukei." This stance was presented in a submission to the Constitution Review Commission.

Simione Valenitabua, a lawyer representing the Church, argued that adopting "Fijian" as a national identity for all citizens would foster greater unity among the diverse communities within the country. "The majority of the Methodist church divisions submit that all citizens are to be Fijians, the indigenous are to be the iTaukei," Valenitabua stated.

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The majority of the Methodist church divisions submit that all citizens are to be Fijians, the indigenous are to be the iTaukei.

Valenitabua acknowledged that a minority within the Church held a different perspective. This minority view supported the distinction made in the 1997 Constitution, which differentiated between indigenous Fijians and "Fiji Islanders." However, the Church urged the Commission to consider the majority view through wider consultation.

The Church suggested that the final decision on national identity should either be based on extensive public consultation or left to the Parliament to determine. This approach aims to ensure that the resolution reflects a broad consensus within Fijian society.

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Although a minority of the division submitted that Fijians be left to the indigenous Fijians and for others to be Fiji Islanders, we ask the Commission through wider consultation to weigh.