A group of Buddhist monks were welcomed to the C.S. Arkatti Jamah Mosque in Yangon’s Kyauktada Township on June 16. The group included Ashin Panahwunsa of the Saffron Monk Network and Ashin Sandhasiri, a member of a mobile food donating organization in Insein Township.
Several imams and Islamic leaders were on hand to welcome the monks to the mosque at an event organized by ‘Pray for Myanmar’, a multi-faith youth group.
A member of Pray for Myanmar said that the occasion would help people of different religions to accept and appreciate other faiths and to dispel false rumors.
Sayadaw Ashin Panahwunsa said, “Myanmar people are curious about many things but rarely about religious issues. They do not even know how to behave in religious buildings.”
The monks’ visit was preceded by an invitation four days ago by U Hla Myint, the imam from C.S Arkatti Jamah Mosque, who said that the monks could visit any mosque at any time.
“Despite the local rumors, you will not find in any mosque in Yangon a rebel recruitment center nor any caches of weapons,” he said.
