Oct 5, 2007 (DVB), The Myanmar Muslim Association released a statement yesterday calling on Burmese Muslims to observe prayer meetings in Burma and join international demonstrations.

The statement criticises the Burmese military regime for its mistreatment of people of all religions.

"The junta leaders who discriminate and harass us followers of different religions by destroying our mosques and churches have shown their real form of evil by violently torturing, killing their own religion’s respectable monks", the statement reads.

"It is the duty of all Myanmar Muslims to act, verbally, mentally and physically, against the military dictators who have been making the people of Burma, including young students and monks, suffer in poverty."

The statement calls upon Muslims in Burma to gather at mosques and houses on 5 October to pray for freedom from "false leaders". It also urges Burmese Muslims in other countries to join the demonstrations planned for 6 October as part of an international day of action on Burma.

Ko Kyaw Swar, a spokesperson for MMA, emphasised the support of Muslims for a better future for Burma.

"Our religion teaches us to pray too. We have to take any duties given to us for the sake of our country’s good future. Our ancestors also did the same thing in the past. Now is our time."

Reporting by Maung Too