Phnom Penh: International Institute of Islamic Thought
(IIIT) to East and South East Asia in association with Islamic Council for
Development of Cambodia (ICDC) conducted a seminar and workshop for Cambodian
Muslim on 05-06 June, 2015 in Phnom Penh.
The international seminar on Education and Economic
Development under the theme Building Muslim Community: Challenges and
Strategies was officiated by H.E Math Mara Secretary of State, Ministry of
Rural Development, the highest representative of Minister, H.E Chea Sophara.
Mr. Mohamad Farid Hosen, Chairman of ICDC in his
welcoming remarks stated that this seminar organized to discuss and expose the
current challenges of Muslim Community, to strategize and to determine the
strength and opportunity for sustainable and effective development of Muslim
community and to develop network of institutions and leaders to collaborate and
synergize resources to the optimum. 100 Muslim participants from various
sectors such as NGO leaders and representatives, Government officers,
Professionals and Students were invited to this seminar, he added.
Director and Representative of IIIT to East and South
East Asia, Dato’ Wira Dr. Jamil Osman said during his speech of the opening
ceremony that this is the second seminar organized by IIIT in Cambodia and he
explained that this seminar is not to listen to the speakers but to sit down
together to draft what are the future plan for development of Muslim community
in Cambodia.
To grace the event, Math Mara on behalf of her Minister
appreciated IIIT for organizing the seminar and inviting many prominent
scholars and successful businessman to share their knowledge and experiences
with Cambodian Muslims. She agreed that, Cambodian Muslims who majority resided
in rural area are facing with some challenges in Education and Households
Economic. She further explained that, the drop-out rate of Muslim students is
high at National High School level while the Islamic studies do not have a
common curriculum, lack of quality and the need of teacher’s salary.
Interestingly, the economy of Muslim family is increasing but need more works
to be done and need participation hand in hand from many development
stakeholders to push up the growth of Muslim Economy, she added. To solve the
mentioned challenges, Math Mara suggested some ideas to be discussed in this
seminar. First of all, she request of pay closer attention to, and contribute
to human resource development with quality, competence and virtue, all of which
are keys to sustaining the economic growth. Secondly, motivate Muslim children
to receive basic education in both formal and informal forms and encourage
Muslim community to value the education. Thirdly, encourage to have an
integration of knowledge in one academic institution to balance the religious
studies and general education. Fourth, further promote the roles of Islam in
contributing to the provision of virtue, and morality to ensure harmony in
Cambodian society and prevent the manipulation of religion for personal
benefits. Fifth, jointly implement the Nation Policy on Youth Development and
National Policy on Physical Education and Sports by provoking participation in
social movements/ works and sport activities in order to transform the youth
into human resources with quality and competence. Sixth, encourage the
investment and establishment of Islamic finance institutions which compliance
with Sharia and seventh, formulate strategic plans and action plans in order to
ensure the sustainability of development.
After officially declaration of opening, Mr. Mohamad
Farid Hosen, Chairman of ICDC and Dato’ Wira Dr. Jamil Osman, IIIT
representative signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICDC and
IIIT which mutually agreed to cooperate on academic research, academic
conferences, publication and other areas of co-operation to be mutually agreed
upon by the IIIT and ICDC. The signing of this memorandum were witnessed by H.E
Math Mara and others senior government members and Tan Sri Mohammad Ali Hashim,
the president of Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce.
Tan Sri Mohammad Ali Hashim a former President and CEO of
Johor Cooperation (JCorp) and currently a President of Malaysian Islamic
Chamber of Commerce was invited to deliver a key note address on “Strategy in
Developing the Muslim Community through Waqf Institution”.
After Juma’h Prayer, the seminar resumed with two panel
speakers from Malaysia. The first speaker is Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Zain
Musa, a Cambodian Muslim born and now a professor in History at National
University Malaysia (UKM). Dr. Mohd Zain reviewed the history of Muslim in
Cambodia and rose up some challenges related to economic and education. The
last Speaker is Dato’ Wira Dr. Jamil Bin Osman, IIIT Representative to East and
South East Asia. Dato’Dr. Jamil present a topic on Build Muslim Community in
Cambodia: Challenges and Strategies. He suggested that, Muslim Community in
Cambodia should have a common curriculum for Islamic School, the curriculum of
Islamic School at primary and secondary level must be reviewed through a
special committee, to set up a private Waqf Islamic college or university which
provide integrated approach of education, establishment of Zakat, Waqf and
Baitulmal, establishment of Islamic financial institution and Islamic coop,
etc. The first day seminar ended up with many Qs and As and Coffee break.
The gathering for second day was made in the form of
workshop where bro. Shahran Kasim, the Deputy Director of IIIT moderated and
guided for the whole daylong. There were 60 participants from NGOs, Youth
Leaders, and Professionals attended the workshop. The workshop on Teamwork and
Strategic Planning divided participants into four groups and gradually working
together from one activity to another. Setting up a team, how to define vision
and mission, SWOT analysis and developing project proposal are touched during
the workshop.
