AKP Phnom Penh, March 16, 2026—

Religious practice must be conducted with inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, as it is an indispensable component of national peace and development, a senior Cambodian minister stated at an Iftar dinner in the capital on Sunday.

Speaking at the event organized by the Phnom Penh Islamic Centre at the Al-Serkal Mosque in Boeung Kak, Oknha Dr. Othsman Hassan, a Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions and Chairman of the Managing Committee of the Phnom Penh Islamic Centre, emphasized Cambodia's unique model of religious coexistence.

"Practicing religion with harmony between ethnicities and faiths is something we must not overlook, because it is an integral part of peace and the development of the nation," Dr. Othsman Hassan said. He reaffirmed that there is no religious conflict in Cambodia between Buddhism, the state religion, and other faiths.

Dr. Othsman Hassan, who also conveyed well-wishes from top leaders including Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian Red Cross President Samdech Kittiprittpundit Bun Rany Hun Sen, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and the First Lady Lok Chumteav Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet, outlined the demography of belief in the kingdom: over 93% Buddhist, more than 5% Muslim, and nearly 2% adhering to other religions.

The minister drew a clear distinction between moderate and extremist practice. He argued that adherence to a moderate, centrist path fosters harmony and peace. Conversely, "if you adhere to religion with left-wing or right-wing extremism, it will certainly lead to racial and religious discrimination. It will breed fear and introduce negative ideologies," he warned.

Dr. Othsman Hassan cautioned that such extremism leads to conflict, national disunity, and potentially violence. "Looking down on or undervaluing the efforts of those who strive for harmony within a religion… will undoubtedly lead to the loss of a part of our peace," he stressed.

The minister highlighted that the Cambodian Muslim community, primarily of Cham descent, enjoys full freedom of worship. He noted with pride that the community considers itself fortunate to live in a Buddhist-majority country where the leadership ensures the well-being of all religions.

"The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the UN with 57 member states, has praised Cambodia as a leading country in fostering ethnic and religious harmony," Dr. Othsman Hassan stated.

During the event, which marked the 25th day of Ramadan, Dr. Othsman Hassan extended gratitude to the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia for providing food aid, including 8,850 food packages, 30 tonnes of date jam, and Iftar meals for 1,200 people. He also thanked donors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Türkiye, Pakistan, Qatar, the UAE, Germany, and Oman.

He also commended Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Mohamad Hassan for their roles as ASEAN Chair in facilitating the two ceasefires leading to the Kuala Lumpur peace declaration signed on October 26, 2025.

The minister urged the Muslim community to strengthen internal unity, protect religious harmony, and contribute to national development. He specifically advised youth and students to enhance their digital literacy to avoid misinformation that could threaten social cohesion. "Lack of information and digital literacy makes us fall prey to opportunists who incite us to break our solidarity and ethnic and religious harmony."

The Iftar dinner was attended by approximately 1,400 people, including Muslim leaders from across Cambodia, senators, parliamentarians, government officials, students, and intellectuals.

By K. Rithy Reak