The Cham people who follow Islam joyfully celebrate Roya Haji.

During the Raya Idil Adha festival, Cham Muslims will perform rituals, exchange New Year greetings, and participate in important sacrificial ceremonies.

From early morning on May 27th, thousands of Cham Muslims, dressed in their finest attire, gathered to perform the Sambahyang Raya ceremony at the Jamiul Anwar Mosque (Chanh Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) on the main day of the Raya Idil Adha festival.

This is one of the two most important holidays of the year for Muslims worldwide ; it is a celebration of Allah fulfilling His duty to God and receiving countless blessings and graces.

Elder Kim So (85 years old) said: "Today's festival is called Roya Haji, meaning 'Roya of Love'. On this occasion, Cham people in Ho Chi Minh City usually spend time gathering with family, visiting friends and relatives, and exchanging meaningful gifts. Children are bought new clothes by their parents, while old clothes are donated to the poor..."

After about an hour of rituals, devotees exchange handshakes and hugs as a way of greeting and forgiving each other's mistakes during the Roya Haji festival.

An African Christian who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for over 10 years joyfully said: "I hope that in the new year, all Christians will receive many blessings from Allah."

In particular, on this occasion, the community here performs Qurban or Aqiqah - a ritual of slaughtering cattle, sheep, and goats to offer as sacrifices and distribute them among the community of believers to share the bonds, happiness, and blessings that Allah has bestowed upon everyone in the past year.

Ab Dohalim, Deputy Head of the Jamiul Anwar Mosque Administration, stated that the highlight of the main religious day at the Jamiul Anwar Mosque is the sacrificial ritual. This is a mandatory ritual in Islamic doctrine that every person must perform at least once in their lifetime. According to Islamic regulations, one goat represents one person offering a sacrifice, while a bull represents the collective effort of seven people.

This year, the community at Jamiul Anwar Mosque donated five cows, two goats, and one sheep for the sacrificial ceremony. Once the ceremony is complete, the meat of the animals will be distributed to everyone in the community, regardless of wealth or social standing. This demonstrates the spirit of sharing and mutual support – a cherished tradition among Muslims at the mosque.

Also during this New Year's season, children happily go around the neighborhood to receive lucky money.

Cham Muslims, especially women, will wear new clothes when going out. They stroll through the streets, greet each other, and take pictures together.

Nur Ay Nii's family, all dressed in their new red outfits, posed for photos outside the mosque.

Families take commemorative photos together to celebrate the New Year.

The Jamiul Anwar Mosque is home to the largest Muslim community in Ho Chi Minh City, with approximately 3,000 worshippers, mainly Cham people from Chau Doc, An Giang , who migrated there in the 1960s.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nguoi-cham-theo-dao-hoi-o-tphcm-rong-rang-don-tet-roya-haji-2519804.html