Cambodia’s faithful mark Eid al-Adha

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia

Several hundred men, women and children from Cambodia and Malaysia gathered at the Muk Dac Mosque in the capital’s Chroy Changva commune Monday to mark the beginning of Eid al-Adha.

Malaysia’s ambassador to Cambodia, Dato’ Sri Haji Hasan Malek, arrived shortly before the start of the 7 a.m. (0000GMT) prayers.

Afterward, he broke his fast with other worshippers and, flanked by members of his constituency back in Malaysia, he handed out gifts to a group of children.

Several members of the community paid their respects at a small cemetery adjacent to the mosque after prayers.

Most of the Cambodian faithful departed when the ceremony was over; the ambassador and Malaysians from other organizations stayed behind to help oversee the slaughter of cows that had been fenced off in the forecourt.

The Malaysian influence on Eid celebrations at this mosque is part of a wider effort among NGOs there to assist poorer Muslims in developing countries to enjoy the annual sacrificial festival in spite of their means.

Hamidon, a volunteer with the Malaysian Yayasan Salam NGO, said his group had come to the mosque to ensure that everyone in the local community would be able to enjoy the day.

“We know there are a few places in Cambodia where people still need help,” he told Anadolu Agency.

“We are one of a few NGOs from Malaysia who come almost every year, especially during this festival time where you slaughter a cow, because there are unfortunate people. Sometimes they only eat beef only once a year. That depends on donations.”

He said it was their “religious duty” to ensure that meat from donated cattle would be shared around the community.

The first cow to be sacrificed was quickly butchered by a team of helpers and the meat bagged up to be taken around the community.

The teams will stay in Cambodia until the Eid celebrations are over.