EMBASSY IFTAR REACHES CHAM COMMUNITY, ANSWERS QUESTION,

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000786

SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPAO KIRF EAID CB
SUBJECT: EMBASSY IFTAR REACHES CHAM COMMUNITY, ANSWERS QUESTION,
"ARE THERE MUSLIMS IN THE U.S.?"


1. SUMMARY: The Embassy hosted a successful Iftar for over 130
guests, mainly from the Cham Islamic minority in Cambodia. At the
end of the event, while looking over the Muslim Life in America
paper show that PA translated into Khmer, a teenage guest asked an
Embassy staffer "are there really Muslims that live in the United
States?", once again proving the value of these outreach efforts.
END SUMMARY


2. Embassy Phnom Penh hosted an Iftar on the evening of September 18
for over 130 guests from the Cham community, Ambassadors from
Brunei, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand and a number of Cambodian
government officials including the Secretary of State for Cults and
Religious Affairs H.E. Zakarayya Adam. The chief Mufti of Cambodia,
Imam Sos Kamry, led the call to prayer.


3. Mr. Adam, an observant Muslim himself, delivered remarks thanking
the Embassy not only for hosting the Iftar, but also for its
outreach in general to the Islamic minority in Cambodia. He noted
the meal would provide nourishment and also nutrients for friendship
and trust among people who believe in Allah and those of other
faiths. The Charge d'affaire's remarks praised the Cham for their
openness and tolerance, and the Cambodian government for its sincere
desire to integrate the community into society. The CDA also made a
reference to some of the extremist organizations which currently
provide a significant amount of funding to some of the smaller
communities in the region. She stressed that assistance always
comes with strings attached, whether they are visible or not, and
that it is up to the leaders of the Cham communities to ask tough
questions in order to ensure that when aid is offered it is offered
with their constituents' best interests in mind.


4. After the meal a number of guests expressed their gratitude for
the Iftars which the Embassy has been hosting since 2004. Visitors
praised the Embassy's general outreach efforts to the community
including ESL scholarships, Fulbright exchanges and speaker
programs. A local Imam from Phnom Penh noted that many of the other
Embassies which represent Muslim majority countries have taken our
lead and have begun to host Iftar celebrations of their own.

CAMPBELL