Cham ethnic minorities in An Giang begin Ramadan month

An Giang (VNA) – Ceremonies were held at 28 mosques across the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on May 26 to mark the beginning of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims.

On this occasion, representatives of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, Steering Committee for the South-western Region, Military Region 9 High Command, and local authorities visited and congratulated Cham ethnic minority people in An Giang.

Go Sa Ly, chief of the office of the province’s Muslim community representative board, said Ramadan is the most important event of Muslims. During the month, adult Islamic followers (from the age of 15) will fast in the daytime to understand hunger and misery so as to make self-improvement and support the poor.

The Ramadan 2017, the 1438th year in the Islamic calendar, lasts from May 27 to June 27. 

After that, the festival of Roya Aidilfitri will mark the end of this holy month. This is an occasion to visit relatives, aid the poor, leave behind all hostility and give each other the best wishes. 

Jacky, head of the Muslim community representative board in An Giang, said local Cham people have always lived in harmony with other ethnic groups. The representative board has worked as a bridge connecting the Party and State with local Muslim Cham people.

He called on Muslims to continue upholding the solidarity with followers of other religions and ethnic groups, actively engage in patriotic emulation movements, comply with the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, adhere to Islamic teachings, and preserved cultural traditions.

There are more than 15,000 Muslim Cham people in An Giang, making up nearly 0.7 percent of the province’s population. Most of them are residing in the districts of Phu Tan, Chau Phu, Chau Thanh and An Phu, and Tan Chau town.-VNA