Islam is the second largest religion in Cambodia. The majority of Muslims are of Cham ethnicity, but there are also Chvea and Khmer muslims as well as many foreigners living in Cambodia that practice Islam. Sunni Islam is by far the most popular form of Islam in Cambodia.
History of Islam in Cambodia
The vast majority of Muslims in Cambodia are Cham that migrated to Cambodia in the
Islam in Cambodia Before the Cham Migration
Possibly the first Muslims in Cambodia were the Chvea who arrived in Cambodia in the 14th century from the Malaysia and Indonesia. They traditionally occupied the coastal part of the country. Ramathipadi I was the first and only Muslim king of Cambodia reigning from 1642 until being deposed in 1658.
Islam and the Cham
Islam was first introduced to the Cham between then 7th and 9th century. It gradually grew, gaining dominance in the 12th-16th century and became the state religion when the first Cham king became muslim in the 17th century. The Cham are also credited for spreading Islam in Java during the 15th century. Between the 15th and 19th centuries there were several waves of Chams arriving in Cambodia fleeing persecution in Vietnam. The exodus continued until nearly all Cham muslims had relocated from Vietnam into Cambodia.
Current Islamic Practice in Cambodia
Cambodian muslims are very conservative with their dress, especially amongst men, when compared to other Muslims. During friday prayers at a mosque the Cambodian muslims are easily identified from foreigners by their traditional dress and head coverings faithfully worn by 99% of all Cambodian muslims at the mosque.
