Delivering Loving Care Across Religious Borders – DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Send Relief Aid to Myanmar’s Muslim Communities

On May 4, DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Secretary General Ven. Chang Xing (常惺法師) and Dharma Drum Sangha University Dean of General Affairs Ven. Yan Qing (演清法師) led the fourth batch of Myanmar Relief Aid Team, together with Taiwanese merchant Mr. Zheng Chun-yun (曾春雲) and his wife, back into the Amarapura District to deliver disaster relief aid supplies to the earthquake-devastated Muslim communities, sending loving care across religious borders.

There were eight villages with approximately 3000 residents. Local Muslim leader, Kyaw Htoo Aung told Ven. Chang Xing that when the earthquake struck on March 28, many Muslims were praying in the mosque. When the building collapsed, 135 people died, with numerous others severely injured. Ven. Chang Xing said to Kyaw Htoo Aung that "although our religious beliefs are different, the emotions we feel in the face of life and death and grief and joy are the same, as is our blessing for the unfortunate victims." He went on to explain that the work of disaster relief aid should be done regardless of religious beliefs. In the aftermath of Myanmar's earthquake, Islamic, Christian or Buddhist charity organizations will arrive to render their assistance, support the victims through their darkest hours, and offer hope and blessings for a speedy recovery of the body and mind, in addition to a swift re-building of their homes.

After that, Ven. Chang Xing, Ven. Yan Qing, Mr. Zheng Chun-yun, Chit Myit Tar Foundation (愛緬基金會) Exec. Director Zhao Ren-de (趙德仁) and members of the relief aid team were led by Kyaw Htoo Aung into the local communities, where they distributed the relief supplies, learnt about the living conditions and needs of the locals, and personally offered care and concern to the women and children.

Previously on April 30, when DDM's third batch of Relief Aid workers first arrived here with Myanmar Taiwan Business Association President Yang You-quan (楊友全) and the Chit Myit Tar Foundation to deliver relief aid supplies, they interacted with the local Islamic religion leaders and expressed their loving care across religious borders.

Original Chinese text and photos: DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
Translation: 張振郁
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL