DISCORD IN FIJI

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18163, 10 August 1933, Page 7

DISCORD IN FIJI

MUSLIM CONTROVERSY MOSQUE CLOSED TO PRIEST

SUVA, July 19. Stormy meetings and bitter controversy among the Muslims of Fiji have taken place following a definite split that has taken place in the ranks of the Fiji Muslims, following the-intro-duction from India of a Muslim priest, Mirza Muzaffar Beg, who is a priest of the Ahmadiyya sect. The Muslims have hitherto escaped the schisms that are so evident among the Hindus, but the present trouble has caused a very wide split. At a meeting held in Suva last week there was a large attendance of Muslims from ail parts of the colony and it is considered that only the presence of a large force of constabulary prevented a disturbance.

The majority of the Muslims'in Fiji appear to belong to the old sect that still follows closely the orthodox teachings of Islam. These belong to the sect of Hanafi Jamat and at present appear to hold the balance of power. The Ahmadiyyans, who have precipitated the trouble by bringing the priest out from India, allegedly under, the auspices of the Fiji Muslim League, comprise, most of the younger and more modem Muslims, whoso education has brought .them under European influences and who are seeking a more advanced interpretation of ,the Koran, in (keeping with the age. Following the Suva meeting of the Muslims, when Muzaffar Beg attempted to speak and was cried down, the" orthodox Muslims have further defined their position and that of Muzaffar Beg by refusing him permission to pray in the mosque. This has-been bitterly resented by the followers of this priest.