PHNOM PENH: The Aidil Fitri celebrations among Muslims in Cambodia will carry profound significance this year.
As the Holy Month of Ramadan concludes, the celebrations not only foster joy and gratitude but also highlight the growing recognition of the country's Muslim minority of about 300,000.
The Cambodian government is taking notable steps towards embracing diversity and honouring religious practices - fostering a healthy environment where all faiths can coexist harmoniously - despite being a predominantly Buddhist society.
The increasing acknowledgement of Islam in the Kingdom is more than just a political gesture, it symbolises the government's strong commitment towards inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity.
Dr Hosen Mohamad Farid, advisor to the Ministry of Culture and Religion, told Bernama that religious tolerance continues to flourish in Cambodia. Despite being a minority, Muslims live in harmony with their Buddhist brethren.
"Over the years the government has prioritised the Muslim community’s needs and welfare, although we are a minority in the country, we enjoy a lot of privileges.
"Today the government recognises us as Khmer Islam (Muslims). The government builds schools and mosques and allows our children to wear tudung (head scarf) to schools and tudung is allowed in passport photos,” said Hosen Mohamad, who is also the President of the Cambodia University of Management and Technology (CUMT).
Phnom Penh-based CUMT is the first Muslim university in the country where some 300 students are currently pursuing their higher education.
Cambodian Muslims celebrate Aidil Fitri nationwide, in cities and rural villages, taking pride in their rich cultural and religious diversity that they have cherished for decades.
Prime Minister Hun Manet hosted an iftar (breaking of fast) for 6,000 people in the capital on March 24, which has now become an annual event on the government’s calendar, where people from all walks of life attend the function.
Iftar is also organised in provinces by local Buddhist and Muslim leaders and it provides an opportunity for them to engage with the Muslim community, another testimony of cultural harmony and peaceful coexistence.
At the event, Manet announced a broad plan to bolster Cambodian Muslim unity.
"Khmer-Muslim leaders and all Muslims are encouraged to maintain their support and trust in the leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia, which fully guarantees the right to religious freedom for Muslims in Cambodia, by fostering solidarity with practitioners of other religions to promote racial and religious harmonisation,” Manet said at the event.
Muslim World League Advisor Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz told Bernama from Kuala Lumpur that Cambodia and Malaysia are exemplary multi-religious and multi-ethnic societies where people coexist peacefully.
"The secular world should not be ashamed to follow Cambodia's footsteps in serving its Muslim people.
"Meanwhile, the Islamic world should see for itself how Malaysia practices religious freedom and peaceful co-existence, even though Islam is enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution as the Religion of the Federation (Religion of the State).
"We are confident that Malaysia, together with Cambodia, with the support and backing of other Asean member states, can lead efforts to increase harmony and shared prosperity in this region. Many regions in the world are no longer safe for humans,” said Wan Mohamad, who is also CUMT’s advisor. - Bernama
