Minority Muslims in the capital of Laos who comprised various ethnic groups celebrated Aidiladha modestly by gathering for prayers in the mosques in this country this morning.
The two mosques in Vientiane, Azahar Mosque and Jamia Mosque are the locations where Muslims perform their Aidiladha prayers apart from holding raya feasts this morning.
Azahar Mosque which can accommodate up to 320 congregants began Aidiladha prayers at 8.30 am led by imam Vina Keobandit, 54, from Cambodia.
After the prayers, 13 cows were slaughtered for the sacrificial ceremony in the compound of Azahar Mosque with 10 of them donated by Malaysians in Laos.
“We usually receive cow contributions from the Malaysian community here each year,” said Vina, fluent in Bahasa Melayu.
According to Vina, the fall in the value of their currency, Lao Kip compared to the US dollar caused the price of local cows to soar up to 14 million Kip (RM3,500) for each animal.
“Apart from that, many cows had already been bought in bulk by traders from China and Vietnam making it difficult to buy cows for the sacrificial ritual this year,” he told Bernama.
It was learned that the sacrificial ceremony is usually carried out at the respective residence.
The Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Edi Irwan Mahmud who is celebrating Hari Raya Aidiladha here for the first time said even though the Muslim community here is small, the joy of the celebration can still be felt.
“It is really interesting, because the community may be small, but we can still see the spirit of close cooperation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the wife of the Embassy Defence Attache in Laos, Azmah Ishak who is celebrating her fourth Aidiladha here said the occasion sees the community here coming together to forge closer brotherhood among Muslims.
“This is the opportunity for us to gather with ourselves.
“Apart from local residents, the Malaysian community from the embassy would also congregate at Azhar Mosque for prayers and feast,” she said.
It is also a tradition for the congregation of the Azahar Mosque to visit the family home of the former imam of the mosque for a feast after the prayers.
Among the traditional Lao dishes served to guests are Kaopun (Laos laksa), Bankuan (kuetiao roll), and Kapokpa (fish and vegetable soup) as well as sweets such as Foitong and Alua.
There are about 900 Muslims in Laos out of the country’s total population of seven million.
The Muslim community in this country consists of various ethnic groups including Lao, Champa, Tamil and Pashtun.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
