The Community of Islamist Chams in Vietnam with social life

Abstract

Religious activities of the Chams in South Vietnam are closely linked to their culture. Throughout many historical eventualities, the Chams have settled down in many places. The process of cohabitation with different ethnic communities, and geographical, environmental, economical factors have influenced on their lives. At present, they follow two main religions Brahmanism and Islamism. Apart from this, among the Chams in South Vietnam there exists also the group “Javakur”. Islamist Chams are always linked to one another in their ethnic identity and their religion. Especially, their living has been shaped in following their faith as determined in the main dogmas of Islamism. Out of his research on the Islamist Cham community in Vietnam the author puts forth a few proposals to the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State of Vietnam regarding the policy toward the Cham community in Vietnam. Full text in Vietnamese Religious Studies 2005/2 pp.39-41