A sermon was preached by Mya Nan monk, who is famous for his anti-Islam rhetoric, in front of a mosque in Anawratha upper ward in Einme Township in Ayeyarwady Region on 23 January. There have been lesser numbers sermons during recent time. The local Muslim residents said they are concerned over provocation by sermon. While advertising on the sermon event, the organiser played nationalist song “Thargyi Thawy”. Previously such sermon were only allowed to deliver at a stadium at the outskirt of the town, this time it was allow to hold in a large Buddhist congregation hall, situated in front of a mosque in the centre of the town. An eyewitness said the members of military, police and fire brigade has guarded the event. “It is quite strange they hold the sermon event in front of the mosque, before such event were organised in stadium. We are concerned after seeing the presence of military”, said U Maung Maung who is a member of a religious organisation in the town. The Wunthanu Rakhita group requested troops from No 63 infantry battalion to provide security for the event and four armed soldiers were stationed in front of the congregation hall and they were facing towards the mosque. However, the soldiers were asked to leave after it looked awaked to place military in front of a religious event, the administrator of the upper ward said. The sermon by Mya Nan monk on the race and religion was attended by 600 supporters of Ma Ba Tha and the sermon included calling Buddhists not to marry Muslims and not to buy from Muslim shops. The monk quoting a book by an author Nyein Chan Lu Lin said the historic facts on Rohingya were nothing but lies. Reference: BHRN