The Muslim community in Phnom Penh, primarily composed of the Cham ethnic group, is served by a blend of Islamic schools (madrasahs), government support, and student organizations. These institutions are vital for both religious instruction and general education.
Key Educational Institutions and Programs
1. Islamic Schools (Madrasahs)
These institutions are central to the religious education of the Muslim community, offering specialized Islamic and Quranic studies.
* Madrasah An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Al-Thanawiyah: Located in Phnom Penh, this is recognized as a leading Islamic school in Cambodia and acts as a liaison center for other religious schools. It is noted for its success in producing students who are Hafiz (those who have memorized the Qur'an) and who go on to pursue higher education locally and internationally.
* Dual Curriculum: Many Islamic schools, or madrasahs, often offer an integrated curriculum that combines both the national secular curriculum and an Islamic religious education curriculum.
* Registration: Religious schools must be registered with the Ministry of Cults and Religion (MCR) and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MOEYS) and are advised to follow the ministry's core curriculum for secular subjects.
2. Higher Education and Student Clubs
Muslim students are also active in secular higher education institutions in Phnom Penh.
* CamEd Muslim Club (CMC): Located at CamEd Business School, this club serves Muslim students by organizing Islamic and educational activities, promoting understanding of Islam, and providing services to the small Muslim community in Phnom Penh. It aims to foster an inclusive environment and challenge misconceptions.
3. Supporting Organizations
Several non-profit organizations work to support and develop education within the Muslim community.
* Cambodian Muslim Intellectual Alliance (CMIA): Founded by former students, this non-profit organization focuses on several programs, including Education and Islamic promotion.
* Charitable Association of Cambodian Islamic Graduates (CACIG): This association supports and develops schools or madrasahs to promote a religious, prosperous, and progressive community.
Government Involvement and Challenges
Government Initiatives
The Cambodian government's Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MOEYS) actively engages with the Muslim community's educational sector.
* Teacher Provision: The Royal Government has provided Khmer Muslim teachers to the community to support the educational system. As of a recent report, there are thousands of Cambodian Muslim teachers working in both public and private sectors.
* Public School Integration Plan: The Ministry of Education has expressed plans to potentially transform some Khmer Muslim community schools into official public schools to improve the quality of education, particularly in digital literacy.
Challenges
The Muslim educational sector faces several challenges:
* Teacher Shortage: There is an ongoing challenge with a shortage of qualified teachers for the large number of Cambodian Muslim students, many of whom study in public schools and local mosques.
* Resources and Training: Many Islamic schools experience limitations in resources and school management capacity. There is a recognized need for more in-service pedagogical training for Islamic school teachers, especially those employed as civil servants, to match the quality of training received by mainstream public school teachers.
* Official Recognition: A significant hurdle is the official recognition of some Islamic community schools by relevant government ministries.
