An interfaith prayer service had to be canceled due to Ma Ba Tha objection. An Islamic Sufi order that mainly flourishes in Mandalay city has been organising a prayer service annually to commemorate a prominent Sufi saint of Mandalay. An interfaith prayer service had to be canceled due to the objection from Ma Ba Tha, the organisor U Thein Aung, the head of the Sufi order said. The prayer service was planned to be held at Theingi Shwewar Hall on 8th June and the prayer service has been conducted in Mandalay for a hundred years. The interfaith prayer service was planned to promote understanding and tolerance between different faiths. The organiser had already informed the authorities and requested approval and invited organisations of Buddhist monks for the interfaith prayer service. However, Ma Ba Tha found it unacceptable and objected. U Thein Aung said, “We are not doing business under the name of interfaith. This is purely an interfaith prayer service, offering and donating to Buddhist monks aiming to make a bridge between the two communities. The secretary of Ma Ba Tha in Amara Pura Township, Badanta Wannittaka, said, we do not oppose interfaith unity but our concern is that later on they could use these monks for their own benefits. Friday Times Journal, 12th June 2015