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NADI, FIJI, January 19, 2004: An early morning break-in at the famous Nadi temple shocked many worshippers. The biggest and most expensively built temple, the Shri Shiva Subrahmanya Swami temple at the end of Nadi Town, was broken into at 12:30am yesterday morning. Temple manager Lachman Naidu said the duty watchman had gone to have a drink of water when he was attacked and tied up by two men. “They tied his hands and mouth so he could not escape and call for help,” Mr. Naidu said. He said the two thieves broke open the glass-door and ransacked the prayer areas causing a lot of damage. Mr. Naidu said the men were obviously looking for money and got away with more than US$600 in cash that was given as offerings by worshipers. The watchman managed to free himself and notified police. Mr. Naidu said police arrived at the temple at 7:30am and promised to be back later with police dogs for further investigations but at 2:00pm yesterday, Mr Naidu was still waiting for them to return. He said such sacrilegious acts needed severe punishment to deter further offences. It was the second temple attack within 24 hours, the first being at Salato Circle off Khalsa Road in Suva. The Shiu Nayaran Mandhir was broken into during the early hours of Saturday morning with items stolen valued at more than $750. Minister for Multi Ethnic Affairs George Shiu Raj said peace, unity and multiracialism were being attacked by such acts. The Fiji Council of Churches earlier condemned sacrilegious acts and reminded people that such actions were sinful and shameful. General Secretary Benjamin Bhagwan called on all Christian ministers and preachers to proclaim such acts as sinful, a violation of Christian faith of love, peace, goodwill and tolerance of our “neighbors.” The Government also stands strongly against desecration of holy places regardless of religious belief.

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