Programs & Events
Close Window
Chargé d’affaires Piper Campbell poses for photo with two Cambodian Cham women at Iftar hosted by US Embassy in Kampot province.
US Embassy Hosted Iftar in Kampot Province
Kampot Province
September 25, 2008
On September 25th the Embassy hosted an Iftar for the Cham community in Kampot, a region roughly three hours to the south of Phnom Penh. The event attracted well over 100 leaders of the community including Imams, heads of madrassas and religious teachers known as “toan” in Khmer. Twelve members of the Embassy also participated in the event. After the Maghreb prayer Chargé d’affaires Piper Campbell and Imam Hab Sales addressed the gathering which was held at a local restaurant that regularly provides halal cuisine for the Muslim community’s wedding and anniversary celebrations. In her speech the Chargé praised the Cham community for its tolerance and openness, and congratulated the Cambodian government for recently passing a law allowing the Islamic community to wear their traditional clothing in public schools. The event was well received by all the invitees who commented that this was the first time any non-Cham organization had hosted an Iftar. Many were surprised at the level of knowledge of Cham history and traditions displayed by the Embassy staff, as well as by the Khmer language abilities of some of the officers which allowed them to converse freely with the attendees. The provincial Iftar was the second hosted by the Embassy this year, with the first taking place on compound on the 18th of September.
Links