Islam, Hinduism and Tribal religions in Cambodia

Islam: In Cambodia majority of the Cham which are also called Khmer Islam and Malay minorities follow Islam. In the year 1975 a calculation was done by Po Dharma and according to him there were 150,000 to 200,000 Muslims in Cambodia. Harassment under the Khmer Rouge removed their numbers. But by the late 1980s they almost certainly had not recovered their former strength. In Cambodia, Po Dharma separates the Muslim Cham into a traditionalist branch and secondly an orthodox branch.

Hinduism: On the beginning of the Funan kingdom, Cambodia was first regulated by Hinduism. Hinduism was known as one of the official religions of Khmer Empire. Cambodia is the place where you can see one of the only two temples dedicated to Brahma in the world. The largest Hindu temple of the world is known as Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Tribal religions in Cambodia: In Cambodia highland tribal groups are there. They have their own religious systems. Fewer than 100,000 persons are there in the religion. The Khmer Loeu has been loosely described as animists. But as we know most tribal groups have their own collection of local spirits. They usually see their world filled up with several invisible spirits. They often called these yangs. Out of which some are benevolent while some are malevolent. In Cambodia spirits are usually associated with soil, fire, rice, water, paths, stones, and so forth. Magicians or some of the specialists of each village contact these spirits. In crisis times, animal sacrifices are usually done to appease the anger of the spirits. They believe that illness is caused by evil spirits. The villagers also believe in taboos and many other practices. Among the Rhade, the Khmer Loeu and Jarai groups have a well formulated hierarchy of spirits. Supreme ruler is positioned at its head.