YOUTHS from different faiths in the capital converged at the Civic Auditorium in Suva in a show of solidarity and prayer for those who suffer from HIV and AIDS.
Methodists, Catholics, Anglicans, Seventh-day Adventists, Presbyterians and other denominations joined together in the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) organised prayer vigil on Thursday night.
PCC youth officer Manasa Vatanitawake said the prayer vigil was part of the PCCs continuous support to fight against HIV and AIDS.
Normally, a worldwide prayer vigil is held on May 23 but PCC did it on a different day because of our continuous drive to get youths in the church involved in speaking out on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Mr Vatanitawake said.
The prayer vigil is part of all our follow up works from the 2004 Nadi Declaration where church leaders committed to addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS, he said.
The vigil was themed Christ is our light, youth celebrating life.
Mr Vatanitawake said guest speakers included youth officer of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia Sepiuta Halaapiapi and Temo Susau of the Pacific Island Aids Foundation.
Ms Halaapiapi spoke to the youths on the importance of being a light to this dark world; youths in the church in Fiji need to shine a light in every part of their daily lives, he said.
Mr Vatanitawake said while the issue of AIDS and HIV in the church was sometimes not talked about, it was important for youths to take a lead role in speaking up.