Cambodia/Islam: Reaching out to Cham Muslims

PHNOM PENH, 6 Safar/Jan.1 (IINA)-A two-month donation drive by the New Straits Times Press Charity Organisation has helped alleviate the plight of Muslims in Cambodia, writes Kamarulzaman Salleh

DONORS and sponsors of the Cambodia Humanitarian Programme can be proud that their contributions have helped to ease the plight of poor families following a visit by the New Straits Times Press Charity Organisation (“Badan Khairat NSTP”) to the impoverished nation.

With the cooperation of the Cambodian mufti’s office, the funds totalling about US$10,000 (RM31, 000) were spent on improving basic amenities and providing assistance to villagers in three provinces in the outskirts of the capital, Phnom Penh in July.

The amount was collected during a two-month donation drive by the media group’s newspapers — Harian Metro, Berita Harian and New Straits Times — with the cooperation of TV Al-Hijrah, a unit under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

The mufti’s office recently reported that five wells, built from donations, received from BKNSTP have benefited 400 families in four villages — Peak Sbai, Kancong, Jikha and Kapong Keh.

BKNSTP chairman Datuk Mior Kamarul Shahid led a 20-member group, including its deputy chairman Roslan Ibrahim and NSTP religious and welfare officer Zamanuddin Jusoh, to Cambodia.

The wells in the Chanang province were needed because of the lack of water supply, causing residents to rely on the rivers for daily use.

“During the donation drive, we received calls from individuals wanting to contribute zakat (tithes) for this purpose. Therefore, we coordinated with the mufti’s office to identify areas requiring wells,” said Mior Kamarul, who is Berita Harian group editor.

Supplies, such as rice, sugar and cooking oil, were also handed over to some 500 poor families in Prey Veng and Kandal provinces.

“We bought ducklings and two sugarcane vending machines to supplement the income of some families involved in conducting free tuition classes in the provinces,” he said.

Cambodian government mufti Kamaruddin Yusof said the government welcomed foreign aid and donations to alleviate poverty among the 5,000 Cham Muslims in the predominantly Buddhist nation.

The government under Prime Minister Hun Sen, he said, encouraged the community to seek outside help as the country was still undergoing reconstruction following the 1975-1979 genocide during Pol Pot’s reign.

Kamaruddin, who survived the crackdown on minorities, said many Muslim families and religious leaders were killed by the Khmer Rouge, prompting many to flee into the interior.

The Khmer Rouge also forced Muslims to eat pork and those who refused would be shot dead. Many fled Cambodia to escape persecution while others became refugees in neighbouring countries during those traumatic years, he said.

“The scars of war may have contributed to our present predicament, especially the lack of education and religious knowledge,” he said, adding that his office had coordinated with foreign charity organisations to train religious teachers.

He said those trained abroad, including Malaysia and the Middle East, would be posted to various parts of Cambodia upon their return in the hope that they would help spread knowledge to improve the living conditions of the community.

Kamaruddin, however, stressed there were also other Muslim groups in Cambodia, which operated independently, prompting accusations of abuse of funds from donors.

According to him, the mufti’s office only coordinated the donations by channelling funds to areas identified for assistance.

“When charity groups do not coordinate with us, they may go to places already assisted by us, thus depriving others who have yet to receive help,” he said, adding that there were local groups which concentrated on getting help only for their respective villages.

“Therefore, we encourage those wanting to do charity to coordinate with us to avoid possible duplication or abuse.”

Prey Veng province imam Yahya Arafat Ahmad, who studied syariah in Malaysia and the Middle East, expressed appreciation that BKNSTP had made the trip to help residents in remote villages.

“Not many groups want to visit villagers in the interior because of the difficulty in reaching these places.

“Besides, almost all these villages do not have proper water supply and have to rely on wells and rivers,” he said, adding that residents in the province were mostly farmers and fishermen.

During the visit, two cows were donated to several villages to be slaughtered.

Mufti office representative Ismail Ibrahim, who accompanied the entourage, said beef was considered a luxury here.

“While we appreciate all the assistance and donations, your presence here to coordinate such charity efforts will be remembered by the people as it’s seldom done,” he said, urging members of the group to share their experiences on the plight of Muslims in Cambodia.

Ismail said the community also welcomed technical assistance and investments in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing for the long-term development of the community.