Programs & Events
Embassy hosts Iftar for the Cham and Cham Imam San communities in Phnom Penh
U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh
September 18, 2008
On the evening of September 18th, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh hosted an iftar dinner for over 130 representatives from the Cham community, embassy officials from Muslim countries and from the Cambodian government. Charge d’affaires Piper W. Campbell presided over the event along with the chief Mufti of Cambodia Imam Sos Kamry. Secretary of State for Cults and Religious Affairs Zakarayya Adam delivered remarks, and thanked the Embassy for all the support they have provided over the last several years to the Islamic minority communities in Cambodia. In her speech the Chargé praised the Cham community for their openness and tolerance, but also urged their community leaders to ask hard questions when receiving aid from international organizations which may not share these views. Shortly after arrival the guests were asked to break their fast just outside the Embassy’s atrium by Imam Kamry who then led the call to prayer. Afterwards the group enjoyed a halal meal provided by a local caterer. Many of the guests commented on how much they appreciate the efforts by American staff to reach out to their communities, especially through iftars, and noted that a number of other diplomatic missions in Phnom Penh had begun to follow suit this year by hosting their own events.
