Phnom Penh: The Prime Minister of Cambodia annually holds a Ramadan Iftar Dinner with the Cambodian Muslim community, reflecting religious harmony in the Kingdom. This evening, at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCIC) in Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet presided over the 9th Ramadan Iftar Dinner of the Cambodian Muslim community.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, addressing approximately 6,000 Muslim community members and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, H.E. Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet reaffirmed that Muslims in Cambodia are treated equally to other religious groups. Since 2014, the Royal Government of Cambodia has consistently organized the Ramadan Iftar Dinner, except during the three years of the COVID-19 spread, he underlined.
Today marks the second time that Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet presided over this important event with the Cambodian Muslim community since assuming office in August 2023. H.E. Dr. Othsman Hassan, the Senior Minister in Charge of Special Mission on Cambodian Islamic Affairs and a member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League, expressed his gratitude to the Royal Government for its dedication to fostering harmony among different ethnic and religious groups in the country.
H.E. Dr. Othsman Hassan emphasized that in Cambodia, there is no religious conflict between Buddhism, the state religion, and other religions. Buddhism remains the dominant religion in Cambodia, accounting for more than 93 percent of the total population, followed by Islam representing over 5 percent, while other religions make up nearly 2 percent, the senior minister said, adding that all religious communities coexist in peace and harmony.
H.E. Dr. Othsman Hassan also highlighted the contributions of the Muslim community to Cambodia's national development across the legislative and executive bodies as well as at both the national and sub-national levels. Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims, determined by the sighting of the new moon. During this sacred period, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs to purify the soul, refocus attention on their faith, and practice self-sacrifice. Iftar is the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan.