Nay Pyi Taw December 23
Every religion shows the way towards social and religious benefits, peace and love, and the world, the country and the community we are living will certainly become a human society which has a heart of gold and where tolerance, understanding and forgiveness flourishes if all follow their faith correctly, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremonies to present COVID-19 prevention, containment and treatment aids and cash assistance donated by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) at the Archbishop’s Residence of Yangon Catholic Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo near Saint Mary Cathedral in Botahtaung Township and Zafar Shah Memorial in Dagon Township, Yangon Region, today.
Also present at the ceremonies were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), the commander of Yangon Command, Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo and Haji U Aye Lwin of the Zafar Shah Memorial supervisory committee of Myanmar and members.
On arrival at the Saint Mary Cathedral and Zafar Shah Memorial, the Senior General and entourage were welcomed by Archbishop Cardinal Charles Bo and pastors and Haji U Aye Lwin and members respectively. At the hall of Catholic bishop’s house, families sang Christmas carols, and Archbishop Charles Bo extended Christmas greetings. In his statement written in the visitors’ book of Zafar Shah Memorial, the Senior General expressed honour for the opportunity to visit the Zafar Shah Memorial, saying that religion deepens love and respect; and prayed for the everlasting existence of the religion. He then signed the book.
As regards the donation made at the ceremonies and the religious matters, the Senior General fist prayed for physical and spiritual wellbeing of Cardinal Charles Bo and Haji U Aye Lwin and members. He then expressed pleasure for making the donation during the time of COVID-19 infection. He said the virus has caused socio-economic losses. The teachings of every religion lead to peace and tranquility. So, the pandemic must be collectively overcome through the spirit of observing the religious teachings and principles. Unity is supportive for the country. All should join hands with trust and Myanmar spirit, without any racial and religious discrimination.
In connection with race and religion, the Senior General said the world has different faiths. Faith includes belief, respect, values, observance of the teachings and religious practices. Believing in religion is virtually deeper. Every religion shows the way towards social and religious benefits, peace and love, and the world, the country and the community we are living will certainly become a human society which has a heart of gold and where tolerance, understanding and forgiveness flourishes if all follow their faith correctly.
Side by side with the majority of Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and people of other faiths have been unitedly serving the interests of Myanmar since ancient times. They are residing together with a brotherly spirit under the noble teachings from those respective religions. With the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone needs to live in discipline. Therefore, medical supplies for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment have been brought here. Despite not much in quantity, those supplies will be of use for a person or a group. Cash donations will also be made for use in other necessary places. All must create a peaceful and unified environment. It is specially to have a common vision. Without it, shape can only be seen. But with this same vision, the whole crystal can be seen. Thus, all are urged to work hard with common goal to achieve success. People of all faiths are to try to overcome all difficulties by unitedly living in a peaceful and unified manner, the Senior General said.
Next, the Senior General presented a Christmas cake to the bishop family of the cathedral. Then, the Senior General presented 10,000 surgical masks, 500 KN-95 masks, 250 face shields, 1,000 pairs of examination gloves, 50 500ml bottles of hand gel, 100 500ml bottles of hand sanitizer, food and Ks-20 million donated by families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) to each of religious organizations. Cardinal Charles Bo, Haji U Aye Lwin and members accepted the donations. Cardinal Charles Bo presented Christmas gifts to the Senior General and party and Haji U Aye Lwin, a certificate of honour.
Cardinal Charles Bo, Assistant Bishop John Saw Yaw Han and Haji U Aye Lwin of the Zafar Shah Memorial supervisory committee of Myanmar extended Christmas greetings, thanks and prayers. They said they were glad and honoured to have the opportunity to welcome the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and were grateful to him for providing COVID-19 medical supplies and gifts. The government and the Tatmadaw are working together to fight COVID-19 and so they said they wished a success in their effort. A united country always brings the wellbeing for the people. As the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services has said, success will be achieved if all can achieve the common goal despite diversities. They said they felt kind of more benevolence than the value of the things the Tatmadaw had donated.
After the donations, the Senior General and party looked round in the Saint Mary Cathedral and the Zafar Shah Memorial.
