On Tuesday morning, Cham people in the Muslim community in An Giang held a ceremony welcoming the Ramadan 2022 CE (or AH 1443). Representatives from the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA),the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Command of Military Region 9 (Ministry of Defence), Department of Homeland Security (Ministry of Public Security), together with leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Agency of the province An Giang and localities in the province attended the event and congratulated the Cham people.

Mr. Nguyen Tiec Hung, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, gives gifts to An Giang’s Representative Committee of Muslim on the Ramadan month. (Photo: VNA)

This year, the Ramadan starts from April 2nd with religious practices such as communal prayer, reading the Qur’an, social acts of charity, sports, and traditional art performances.

Mr. Nguyen Tiec Hung, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, said, “The Party, the State and An Giang’s authorities have well-implemented national policies for ethnic minorities during recent years.”

The rural living conditions of the Cham people, therefore, have developed positively. Their cultural values, customs, traditions, festivals, language and writing are all kept, preserved, and promoted.

The basilica and the minor cathedral were built and expanded spaciously. Some religious officials have made significant contributions to the development of the province.

Mr. Hung hopes Cham people will continue promoting the tradition of solidarity and cultural characteristics; working closely with local authorities to maintain security - politics, and social order for socio-economic development in An Giang.

Mr. Haji Jacky, Head of the Islamic community representative committee in An Giang, calls on the community to accompany with other religions and Vietnamese ethnic communities; strictly follow religious teachings in association with Ho Chi Minh's thoughts; preserve and promote cultural traditions imbued with national identity.

Also, Muslims should fulfill their civic responsibilities, observe the laws and policies of the Party and State, as well as join hands to the country’s development.

Mr. Haji Jacky, Head of the Islamic community representative committee in An Giang gives gifts to the poor Cham families in Da Phuoc, An Giang. (Photo: VNA)

Previously, on March 27, the provincial Islamic community representative committee gave more than 900 gifts to the poor Cham people at Ehsan Mosque (Da Phuoc, An Phu).

The gifts, including rice and other essential necessities, were donated by the local Cham community and benefactors so that everyone can joyfully celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.

With the attention of the Party, the State, and local authorities, the life of the Cham has been improved day by day, Mr. Jacky said.

Currently, there are over 15,000 Muslims in An Giang, living mostly at Cham hamlets in the districts of Phu Tan, Chau Phu, Chau Thanh, An Phu and Tan Chau town. A few others live in the cities of Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Besides, An Giang has 13 mosques and 15 small mosques for Muslims to conduct their religious activities. The Cham people rely mainly on small trade, cattle rearing, weaving, embroidery and fishing to earn their living.

An Giang province currently has more than 15,000 Muslims, living in 9 hamlets and hamlets of Cham in the districts of Phu Tan, Chau Phu, Chau Thanh, An Phu and Tan Chau town. People mainly make a living by doing small trading, rearing, weaving, weaving and fishing on the river.