Cham and Islam: Why Are They Often Confused?

Why do so many people in Cambodia confuse Cham with Islam?

Cham is an ethnic identity, while Islam is a religion. Most Cham in Cambodia are Muslim, but not all Cham are Muslim, and not all Muslims in Cambodia are Cham.

Cham communities have lived in Cambodia for centuries, long before the modern Cambodian state. Today, many Cham Cambodians speak Khmer and are deeply integrated into Cambodian society while maintaining their Cham heritage and, for many, their Islamic faith.

They are not foreigners being “allowed” to live here. They are Cambodian people. Cambodia is their country too, just as it is for Khmer Cambodians. Their Cham ancestry and religious identity do not make them any less Cambodian.