Myanmar: Joint Prayers for Peace
Several hundred people gathered for a “prayer for peace and religious unity” ceremony on January 16 at Lutheran Bethlehem Church in Yangon’s Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders.
Activists and leaders of Myanmar’s four major religions last week launched what they are calling the country’s first peace movement.
Several hundred people gathered for a “prayer for peace and religious unity” ceremony on January 16 at Lutheran Bethlehem Church in Yangon’s Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders.
Ko Ba Htoo Aung, a former political prisoner and founder of the Metta peace network, which organised the event, told The Myanmar Times that achieving genuine peace should be the country’s top priority.
“There are many issues among the ethnic groups, it never ends. These issues can only be solved with peace. At a time when we are looking forward to a better future for our country, we can get eternal peace with metta (loving kindness) from the 60 million people,” he said.
“Only when we get peace, the country can do further developments to be at the same level with neighbouring countries. This is a path that both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the president want. That is why we held this event today.”
While it is a Buddhist concept, leaders of all four religions encouraged the propagation of metta as a means of ending conflict in their sermons.
U San Aung, a Muslim cleric, said peace could not be achieved through “force, violence or arms”.
“When we talk about trading arms for peace, it is something that cannot be done by one party. It is only fair when both parties have metta towards each other.”
He also drew parallels between the struggle for peace and democracy in Myanmar and the birth of the Islamic faith.
“Today, the way in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could become a member of parliament is similar to our Muslim history. Part of the reason Prophet Mohammed conquered Mecca was because he forgave his enemies who ruthlessly tortured him and his warriors. Today we gathered here to take his way of forgiveness,” U San Aung said to loud applause from the audience.
Author Dagon Tarya also delivered a message at the event highlighting the need for peace.
“Every religion cherishes peace. Only with peace can the people develop. The most important element for peace is unity. Only through unity, can we achieve freedom,” the message said.
Source: Myanmar Times
Photo Credit: Myanmar Times
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