A Sole founder says Fiji’s Constitution should recognize the Christian God as part of the nation’s historical identity, arguing it won’t restrict worship. The Constitution Review Commission moves toward public submissions in May.
Fiji’s Constitution debate is taking shape around a question that sounds simple but carries deep meaning: should the document explicitly recognize the Christian God. Semi Tukana, founder for Sole, made the case during a submission to the Constitution Review Commission.
Tukana argues the proposal is not meant to fence in anyone’s faith.. Instead, he frames it as an acknowledgement of the historical roots that helped shape Fiji’s identity.. In his view, the arrival of Christian missionaries in 1835 brought major social change and left an enduring influence on how the country evolved.
He says the impact went beyond religious teachings, pointing to shifts in everyday life and practices.. Tukana specifically references the movement away from practices such as cannibalism, and he links that change to the development of a culture he describes as more welcoming to people from different backgrounds.
“Recognition, not restriction,” Tukana says
Tukana stresses that including the Christian God should not be interpreted as a mechanism to impose Christianity on others.. His argument is that constitutional language can function as recognition—honouring a foundational chapter of the nation’s history—rather than as a tool that undermines religious freedom.
That distinction matters in Fiji’s wider public conversation.. Even when people support constitutional recognition, they often worry about the boundary between what a state acknowledges and what it compels.. Tukana’s message tries to hold that line by repeatedly returning to freedom of worship for people of all faiths, and for those who follow none.
There is also a practical angle in how he describes the intention.. If God is to be written into the Constitution, he says it should be meaningful, not symbolic.. In his view, the idea must show up in governance and public life—for example, in how national institutions conduct themselves and uphold moral principles.
What “meaningful inclusion” could look like
That “meaningful inclusion” framing is likely to resonate with readers who see constitutional wording as more than legal text.. For supporters, it can feel like guidance: a reminder that public institutions should be anchored to values.. For sceptics, the concern is that the same wording could end up being used to justify unequal treatment.
Tukana’s proposal, as he presented it, tries to address that anxiety by tying constitutional recognition to inclusion and respect. Still, the debate will ultimately test how language about faith is handled in policy, in courts, and in the daily operations of state bodies.
In parallel, Tukana said Sole also wants the Senate reinstated in Parliament.. He argues that a restored Senate would better represent the voices of the people and reflect the land communities where those voices come from.. That point shifts attention from the religious question to the broader architecture of representation and how Fiji balances voices across regions.
Commission timeline: submissions continue, public talks in May
The Constitution Review Commission continues to receive submissions. It plans to go to the public in May, which means the arguments now being put forward will soon be tested against the perspectives of a wider range of citizens.
For ordinary people, these discussions are rarely abstract.. Constitutional choices shape schooling debates, public ceremonies, workplace rights, and the boundaries of what government can and cannot demand.. So when a proposal involves the place of God—specifically the Christian God—it quickly becomes personal for many families, regardless of belief.
Looking ahead, the commission’s upcoming public engagement will be crucial.. The way it handles competing views—religious recognition, freedom of worship, and the role of moral frameworks in governance—could influence how trust in the constitutional process is built.. For now, Misryoum will be watching how Fiji’s public conversation evolves as May draws near.