Riya Bhagwan 
Supplied
Young people in Sabeto will have greater access to Islamic education and vocational training following the opening of a new 2.2 million-dollar facility today.
The Islamic Education and Vocational Centre was built by the Fiji Muslim League, replacing its previous education centre which was destroyed by fire in 2019.
The new centre combines Islamic education with vocational training, aimed at equipping young people with skills that meet changing workforce demands.
Fiji Muslim League President Haji Basheer Ahmed says the facility is partially completed, with the League seeking between 200-thousand and 250-thousand dollars to support its vocational training programme.
He says funding is needed for equipment for auto-electrical, plumbing and carpentry training, as well as other work to complete the facility.
“We are making a vocational training center here for the boys, so we need the equipment, which means we need the equipment for the general, we need the equipment for the auto-electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. And plus we need some air conditioning done, complete the office, we haven’t completed the office yet.”
Ahmed says the centre was funded through donations from the Fijian diaspora and League supporters.
Donations came from countries including New Zealand, Australia and Canada, including a major 250-thousand US-dollar contribution from an individual in San Francisco.
The centre has been opened as the League’s centennial project, as the organisation marks 100 years of service this year.
