RELIGIOUS and ethnic groups last week gathered for a prayer ceremony for peace in Kachin State to mark Armed Forces Day.
Held at Judson Church in Kamaryut township, the ceremony was organised by Kindness Women’s Group and attracted about 400 people from a range of political, civil society and non-government groups.
Participants prayed for “eternal peace” in Kachin State, lighting a candle and singing hymns from various religions in a show of solidarity for those displaced by the fighting.
Reverend U A Ko Lay, pastor of Judson Church, said such a multi-faith gathering was “very rare” in Myanmar.
“Let us pray to God deeply and profoundly because we are praying for the sake of the country,” he said.
“Today there is a peace process going on in Kachin State but at the same time there is still fighting.
“We have to pray for the leaders who are discussing peace, for leaders who are administering the country and the people who are working for the national interest. We even have to pray that the by-elections are held freely and fairly.”
Organisers said that while participants were from different ethnic and religious groups they shared a common vision of peace for Myanmar.
“We held this event for the first time on March 3,” said Daw Nang Pu, secretary of Kindness Women’s Group. “We would like to pray for Kachin refugees and also for the by-elections.
We believe God must bring peace to our country and create the funding and rations needed for the refugees from international donors because of our prayers.”
88 Generation student leader U Min Ko Naing urged greater public participation in the peacebuilding process, citing the example of the Myitsone Dam.
“It is not enough for leaders from both sides to discuss the issue. This process cannot create peace. The president halted Myitsone because of the desire of the people. People from different sectors participated and tried to stop the project,” he said.
“So in the case of Kachin State, we have to do like the Myitsone Dam. We must be brave and dare to speak out. Moreover we must launch a campaign. We have to shout the words and desires of the victims so that people around the world can hear them. We need to attract attention to this issue both at home and abroad.”
Daw Nang Raw, a project manager at Nyein Foundation, agreed that activists would have to do more than pray to bring about peace. “People need to do as much they can for the attainment of peace, we need more practical action,” she said.
“In this prayer ceremony, I pray seriously that women [who are in refugee camps] do not think of themselves as simply victims of war because they may be the people who can initiate the movement to stop this war.”
U Thawbita from Thae Inn Gu Monastery in Hmawbi township said peace was one of the country’s “immediate needs”.
“Peace won’t happen just by talking about it. We need to create real peace for all people,” he said.
Held at Judson Church in Kamaryut township, the ceremony was organised by Kindness Women’s Group and attracted about 400 people from a range of political, civil society and non-government groups.
Participants prayed for “eternal peace” in Kachin State, lighting a candle and singing hymns from various religions in a show of solidarity for those displaced by the fighting.
Reverend U A Ko Lay, pastor of Judson Church, said such a multi-faith gathering was “very rare” in Myanmar.
“Let us pray to God deeply and profoundly because we are praying for the sake of the country,” he said.
“Today there is a peace process going on in Kachin State but at the same time there is still fighting.
“We have to pray for the leaders who are discussing peace, for leaders who are administering the country and the people who are working for the national interest. We even have to pray that the by-elections are held freely and fairly.”
Organisers said that while participants were from different ethnic and religious groups they shared a common vision of peace for Myanmar.
“We held this event for the first time on March 3,” said Daw Nang Pu, secretary of Kindness Women’s Group. “We would like to pray for Kachin refugees and also for the by-elections.
We believe God must bring peace to our country and create the funding and rations needed for the refugees from international donors because of our prayers.”
88 Generation student leader U Min Ko Naing urged greater public participation in the peacebuilding process, citing the example of the Myitsone Dam.
“It is not enough for leaders from both sides to discuss the issue. This process cannot create peace. The president halted Myitsone because of the desire of the people. People from different sectors participated and tried to stop the project,” he said.
“So in the case of Kachin State, we have to do like the Myitsone Dam. We must be brave and dare to speak out. Moreover we must launch a campaign. We have to shout the words and desires of the victims so that people around the world can hear them. We need to attract attention to this issue both at home and abroad.”
Daw Nang Raw, a project manager at Nyein Foundation, agreed that activists would have to do more than pray to bring about peace. “People need to do as much they can for the attainment of peace, we need more practical action,” she said.
“In this prayer ceremony, I pray seriously that women [who are in refugee camps] do not think of themselves as simply victims of war because they may be the people who can initiate the movement to stop this war.”
U Thawbita from Thae Inn Gu Monastery in Hmawbi township said peace was one of the country’s “immediate needs”.
“Peace won’t happen just by talking about it. We need to create real peace for all people,” he said.
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