Secretary of An Giang Party Committee Lê Hồng Quang (right) presents gifts to the Most Venerable Chau Cát, head of Prolai Meas pagoda, on Tuesday on the occasion of Khmer ethnic minority people’s traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay. — VNA/VNS Photo

AN GIANG — Leaders of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on April 11 visited and offered greetings to Buddhist dignitaries, monks and followers at Thom Mit and Prolai Meas pagodas in Tịnh Biên township, ahead of Khmer ethnic minority people’s traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Lê Hồng Quang highlighted local socio-economic development along with guaranteed political security, maintained social order and safety, and people’s improved material and spiritual lives. He attributed those achievements partly to major contributions by local people, including Khmer, dignitaries, monks and residents.

He called on the Khmer community to keep upholding the spirit of great national solidarity; join hands with authorities to realise socio-economic development, defence, and social safety ensuring targets; and promote livelihoods to help with the development of An Giang.

For their part, local dignitaries and monks appreciated the Party, State, and provincial leaders’ attention to the ethnic group, affirming that Khmer people always believe in the Party and State’s leadership.

Most Venerable Chau Cát, deputy head of the executive board of the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha’s chapter in An Giang and head of Prolai Meas pagoda, pledged to continue encouraging Khmer monks and people in the province to further bring into play the solidarity among ethnic groups, comply with the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, and lead a good secular and religious life.

An Giang is home to more than 94,500 Khmer people, accounting for 4.2 per cent of its population.

The Chol Chnam Thmay festival is an occasion to celebrate the ethnic group’s New Year and pray for good health, bumper crops, wealth, and happiness. It will last from April 14 to 16 this year.

On this occasion, many delegations of provincial and local officials have visited 65 Khmer pagodas across An Giang to share the New Year joy with locals. — VNS