cham pa muslims

2017

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Yet the Vietnamese muslims “ Cham pa  muslims“ represent as little as .01% of the country’s population. Travelling to Chau doc where the majority of the muslims are located I was mesmerised by the unique culture mix that community represents. I visited the place few times during the month of Ramadan the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts daily between sunrise and sunset and it is believed that the Quran first verse was revealed during that month. After the end of Ramadan the Cham pa muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr - the literal translation into English is the break-fast festival- by wearing new clothes, visiting relatives and gathering for food. Kids would play with candles and buy new toys the night of the festival while young people would stay up all that night. During that festival Many muslims will get married as well. In Chau doc the weddings celebrations go for 3 days where people from the same village and the nearest ones would visit the family of the bride/ groom to congratulate them and join them for the traditional green tea and to eat some snack. By the last day of the three days the groom would go with his family, relatives, and friends to the brides place where a big celebration would last for few hours and they are announced a husband and wife.