Muslim fasting month celebrated in An Giang

The authorities and Cham people in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang held a solemn ceremony to celebrate the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which will last from August 11 to September 9.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar, aims to encourage Muslims to do good deeds and avoid bad actions such as drinking, gambling, prostitution and drug-related crimes.
During the month, Cham Muslims in An Giang province from 15 years of age will fast in the daytime and contribute four kilograms of rice and 2.5 percent of their yearly incomes to charitable work.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vuong Binh Thanh praised local Cham Muslims’ efforts and expressed a wish that they will make more contributions to the country in the future.
An Giang is now home to over 12,500 Muslims, mainly living in the five districts of An Phu, Tan Chau, Chau Phu, Phu Tan and Chau Thanh.