Fiji's multi-ethnic police join Christian crusade

Campbell Cooney, Pacific correspondent

Last Updated: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:20:00 +1000

Fiji's police force has become caught up in an evangelical Christian crusade.

Coup leader and Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has said repeatedly one of the reasons for the military's 2006 takeover of Fiji was to end racial and social division.

But last weekend, all police officers not on duty were told to attend a Christian crusade event.

The country's ethnic make-up means its police force has members who are Hindu and Muslim, as well as Christian.

Brother

The crusade is being driven by the evangelical "New Methodist Church", led by Atu Vualono, brother of Police Commissioner Esala Teleni.

Commissioner Teleni is a military man appointed to the law and order role by interim Prime Minister Bainimarama.

Over the weekend, police played a big role in the crusade, with Fiji's TV coverage showing officers marching through the capital, Suva, chanting the name of Jesus.

All officers not on duty were told attendance was compulsory, a fact confirmed by police spokeswoman Ema Mua to Fiji TV.

As part of the new Christian outlook, it has been announced the Fiji Police Jazz Band is now the Fiji Police Worship Band, and from now will be playing only gospel songs.

Confronted

Earlier this year, after senior Hindu and Muslim police raised concerns about the push to embrace Christianity, they were confronted by Commissioner Teleni and told if they were not happy with his plans they should quit.

Despite the force's mixed ethnic profile, Pramod Rae, general-secretary of the National Federation Political Party, says it has been made clear that does not matter.

"It's becoming more of an indoctrination process, rather than a Christian crusade," he told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program.

The country's biggest Hindu representative group is the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji.

Its national secretary, Vijendra Prakash, says it has no concerns about Hindu police being forced to embrace a Christian crusade.

"We feel that the prayers are offered in good faith to one almighty Lord," says Mr Prakash.

Pramod Rae says the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji "has been actively part of this coup regime right from the beginning".