Inside the mosque in Ho Chi Minh City, there is a Cham language class that has been maintained for decades.

Every evening at Jamiul Anwar Mosque (Chanh Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), dozens of Cham children study their mother tongue and preserve their national cultural identity.

At 6:30 pm every evening, the class inside Jamiul Anwar Mosque begins with the eagerness of children from 3 to 10 years old. Here, they learn Cham language together under the enthusiastic guidance of their teachers.

Mr. Mohd Amin, Deputy Head of the Board of Education, who has been teaching here for more than 30 years, said that the Cham language class is very simple, without a projector, and the materials are mostly printed by the community, compiled from oral experience or referenced from the mosque's clergy. The content taught here is mostly based on the Quran. Students learn the Cham language, pronunciation, and there will be a test at the end of the week.

Free Cham language classes at Jamiul Anwar Mosque run every night (except Thursdays)

Photo: Pham Huu

Mr. Ab Dohalim, Deputy of the Board of Management of Jamiul Anwar Mosque, said that the mosque was formerly located in Ward 1, District 8, now Chanh Hung Ward. The history of the Cham community here dates back to around 1960, when most of the people came from An Giang province to live.

Initially, the Cham Muslim community here established a small mosque on the current land. In 1984, the mosque was expanded. This building was rebuilt in 2006 and is in use today.

Since 1960, the Mosque Management Board has been campaigning to open catechism classes for children, including both boys and girls. Initially, teachers volunteered to teach without pay, but later, the Ho Chi Minh City Religious Affairs Committee supported a monthly allowance for teachers. The classes are divided into 3 levels: children's class (for children from about 3 to 10 years old) mainly teaching the basics, "kinh tieu quan" (small Quran) class and "chu dap" (Cham script).

Slightly older classes will study the Quran and Islamic teachings. The overarching goal of these classes is to preserve the Cham ethnic cultural identity, including clothing, language (mainly Cham), writing, and teachings.

Students in this class are mostly children of the Cham community living around the church. They walk from home to class.

Photo: Pham Huu

At exactly 6:30 pm, class began, students came to class wearing traditional Cham Muslim costumes.

Photo: Pham Huu

At this church, the class has existed for decades. The total number of students studying now is about 70.

Photo: Pham Huu

Evening Cham language class

Photo: Pham Huu

Currently, the classroom at the mosque has 6 teachers (both male and female) and about 60 - 70 students, mainly children of the local community, but also students from other areas.

According to Mr. Ab Dohalim, the Cham Muslim community in this area has about 2,000 people. The community's level of knowledge has improved significantly in the past 20 years.

The class is divided into gender-specific seats. Men sit on the right side and women sit on the left side of the class.

Photo: Pham Huu

Outside of regular school hours, students are tutored by two teachers. These teachers teach each student how to pronounce and read Cham characters.

Photo: Pham Huu

The students have tests at the weekend.

Photo: Pham Huu

Students here are also studying at Nguyen Truc Primary School, Chanh Hung Ward. Abdul Roh Man said that in the morning he goes to primary school to study the general curriculum, and in the evening he attends Cham language classes. Abdul Roh Man said that after 3 years of schooling, he can speak Vietnamese and Cham.

Photo: Pham Huu

Students learn Cham language with a Muslim holy book

Photo: Pham Huu

Teachers combine teaching Islamic doctrine in Cham language class

Photo: Pham Huu

Teacher Mohd Amin has 30 years of experience teaching at Jamiul Anwar Mosque.

Photo: Pham Huu

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ben-trong-thanh-duong-hoi-giao-o-tphcm-co-lop-hoc-tieng-cham-duy-tri-suot-hang-chuc-nam-185250810112107394.htm