Mosque at eye of political storm

The Al-Serkal mosque in central Phnom Penh stands impassive and calm, as if the eye of the political storm surrounding it, unaware of the divisions in the community it is designed to unite.

In its shadow earlier in September, Phnom Penh’s governor stood up and declared that a planned road here would bring prosperity; he promised to consult with the community on its construction. It was, however, the merest wisp of an offering. As he made clear, the building of the road was a foregone conclusion.

Not only is the road anticipated to cut through the front of the mosque compound, its position at the intersection of prayer and politics has exacerbated divisions between two of Cambodia’s most respected Cham Muslim political leaders: Othsman Hassan and Ahmad Yahya, even sparking a court case between them.

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