Oct 5, 2007 (DVB), Spokespeople from 88 Generation Students and Ethnic Youth Cooperation Group have urged the people of Burma to take part in prayer meetings across the country this weekend.

This follows a statement calling for a nationwide weekend of prayer from 5 to 7 October issued by the People's Movement Leader Committee, of which both groups are members.

Ko Aung Thu of 88 Generation Students described how the event would honour those killed in crackdowns on the recent demonstrations.

"This campaign will allow everyone to participate individually rather than walking in a large crowd. This time, each person will bring a candle to a pagoda or other place of worship and pray for those who died."

Ko Aung Thu stressed his belief that opposition to the military regime needs to continue.

"We want to let people know that we and our new generations will have to live our lives at the gunpoint of this military regime if we don’t rise up against them now. We have to bear in mind that now is the time to revolt against this government," he said.

Ko Tin Htoo Aung of the Ethnic Youth Cooperation Group said he hoped that people from all regions and ethnic groups of Burma would join in the prayers.

"We would like to urge the people Burma to leave fear aside and follow the lead of the People’s Movement Leader Committee…. It is our responsibility to do this for the sake of future generations. If we fail this time, they will have to live under this regime with no independence and no security," he said.

Reporting by Aye Nai