Union Minister: All religious bodies, individuals working in unity, mutual respect

Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko met with the Interfaith Friendship and Unity Group (Myanmar) at the National Museum in Dagon Township, Yangon yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said, as an initiation of religious affairs, friendship and cooperation, a group for interfaith friendship and unity was formed in 2008 under the supervision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with the aim of solving religious problems and accusations as a non-governmental organization and serving as an unofficial body for religious activities under the supervision of the ministry.

“Since the group received a certificate of honour from the President on 30 April 2013, it has been taking part as a sector in the national development undertakings,” the Union Minister recounted, explaining its formation under the permission of Yangon Region government and registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

He said, “The group has been formed for some years now. As the ardent members of the group had retired due to health grounds, the group needs reinforcement and reorganization. The ministry reformed the group with 72 persons, including the leading patrons, the patrons, the chair, the vice-chairs, on 10 July this year to accelerate its functions in all parts of the country. According to the wish of the people of the respective faiths, the chairmanship duty will be assigned to a Buddhist representative. Region and state governments and relevant departments have already been informed about the reformation of the group to render assistance to it.

As the group is an independent NGO, it must not be under the control of any government body, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Union Minister assured, adding that the ministry would help the group to independently perform religious duties and serve the national interest as prescribed in the State’s laws. In the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, there are four major religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, he noted, saying that although there was diversity, all religious bodies and individuals were working in unity and mutual respect. The Union Minister then made a wish for the success of the group in collectively striving for fostering love and unity among the faiths and propagating the spirit of peace,

Next, All Myanmar Islamic Religious Organization presented Ks5 million for the flood victims, All Myanmar Hindu Federation and Hindu families flood relief group presented Ks5.1 million and All Christian Religious Organization presented Ks2 million. The Union Minister accepted the donations.

Also present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture U Tun Ohn and heads of department, leading patrons, patrons, chair, vice chairs, secretaries and members of the work executive committee and departmental officials.

Myanmar news Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar