YANGON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- People with different faiths in Myanmar held a mass prayer ceremony in Yangon late Tuesday for the first time to pray for friendship and peace aimed at easing conflicts in the country's northern Rakhine state.
The inter-faith prayer involving followers of Buddhism, Christian, Islam, Hindu and Mahayana Buddhism and sponsored by the ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), took place at the Aung San Stadium.
Yangon region government officials and parliament members as well as representatives of different faiths totalling about 30,000 attended the event.
Religious leaders unanimously appealed for loving kindness and spoke of their hope for peace in Myanmar.
Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein said the event showed Myanmar is a country where people with different faiths are living in harmony, adding that "prayer for loving kindness is the strength, the power we can share with those who are facing difficulties and challenges."
Prayers lit candles and carried portraits of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi during the ceremony.
Such events are also reportedly arranged to be held on every Tuesday in other regions and states.
