Turkey's IHH helps Cambodian Muslims / PHOTO

Muslims form five percent of the Cambodian population and are living at or below the poverty line.

Monday, 15 September 2008

World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkey's IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation organized fast-breaking dinner for 200 Cambodian families and distributed foodstuff to another 650 families. The foundation also distributed stationery materials to 200 orphan students. The aid sent to Cambodian Muslims by Turkish Muslims aim at strengthening fraternity and solidarity ties between the two communities.

Cambodian Muslims, who are the most impoverished people in the country, were extended a hand in Ramadan.

Muslims form five percent of the Cambodian population and are living at or below the poverty line. The IHH extended its help to Cambodian Muslims to gratify them in the holy month of Ramadan.

In Battambang, a province five hour from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh with a population of 15,000 Muslims, 350 needy families were distributed foodstuff. Another 100 families were offered a fast-breaking dinner, while 150 orphan students were given stationery materials such as bags, notebooks, pens and erasers. Cambodian Muslims expressed their thanks to Turkish Muslims at the dinner.

In the city of Kandal, one hour from the capital city, 300 families were distributed food package and 50 orphans were given stationery materials. Another 100 families were offered fast-breaking dinner. An orphanage in Phnom Penh was visited and orphan children were given balloons.

Cambodian Muslims gratified

Cambodian Muslims were moved by the hand extended to them from Turkey, a country thousands of kilometers away from Cambodia. Their faith in brotherhood and solidarity bonds among Muslims was strengthened. Aged men and women thanked the charitable people of Turkey at the fast-breaking meal.

Representatives of Cambodian Muslims welcomed the help of Turkish Muslims. Zekeriya Adem stated the significance of the aid to enforce the Islamic fraternity. Cambodian Muslims are in dire need of suppport, Adem said, adding "We hope that Turkish Muslims will continue helping Cambodian Muslims."