Ramadan traditions – from Burma to Cambodia
Muslims minorities in the Southeast Asian region continue to cherish their religious traditions during Ramadan
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (MNTV) – Muslims minorities in the Southeast Asian region continue to cherish their religious traditions during Ramadan, reports The Star.
They welcome Ramadan, adhering to the tenets of Islam with dedication and pride despite being minority groups in predominantly Buddhist countries.
Communities from Hanoi to Phnom Penh and Yangon preserve their long-held Islamic traditions, such as giving zakat, fasting, reciting the Quran, and engaging in meaningful communal gatherings, during the month-long observance.
“For Cambodian Muslims, Ramadan is a period when our faith is publicly celebrated. Ramadan significantly strengthens community bonds,” the Al-Serkal Mosque committee member Mohammat Younes told Bernama.
“(Cambodian) prime ministers have hosted the annual national Iftar dinner since 2014, attended by thousands. This event, along with iftars hosted by non-Muslim officials, symbolizes the country’s ethnic and religious harmony.”
More than 800,000 Muslims across the Kingdom are welcoming the sacred month in Cambodia, home to nearly 17 million people, the majority of whom follow the Buddhist faith.
In nearly 600 mosques and surau across the Kingdom, located in cities and remote villages, Muslims perform their spiritual rituals in a cordial environment and happily coexist with their Buddhist neighbors.
And in Phnom Penh, a special month-long “Bazaar Ramadan Cambodia” is being held, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural unity.
Meanwhile, nearly 2.3 million Muslims in Burma, another predominantly Buddhist nation, are unperturbed by the political or economic noise in the country that is undergoing a major political transition.
“There will be a lot of community activities during Ramadan, giving zakat, helping mosques during the breaking of fast and hosting iftar,” Yangon-based Islamic Religious Affairs Council’s Secretary General Tin Maung Than told Bernama in a telephone interview.
“There are more than 100 mosques in Yangon, and we are trying to assist mosques across the country during Ramadan to carry out their activities.”
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
