Muslims in Laos are completely ostracized and oblivious of the wider Muslim world, and they are extremely poor. Laos has a population of 5.6 million, and area of 91,400 square kilometers, and is sandwiched between China, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam, with its capital, Vientiane.

Some of its commodities include wood, minerals and agricultural products, such as grains, coffee beans, cotton, and vegetables.

Many of Laos' Muslims hail from Cambodia, after fleeing the massacres that were taking place in that country, in the hands of the Khmer Rouge Government, though others come from different other countries. Some preachers from Pakistan had come to Laos to teach the Muslims matters relating to their faith.

The Muslims in Laos are extremely poor and live in shantytowns in wooden homes that are overcrowded. But no aid from any Muslim country reaches them nor do any Muslims from other Muslim countries visit them, though they are in dire need of improving their lot, by learning skills and trades that would enable them to earn their livelihoods. If only representatives of international Islamic organizations would visit them in order to determine their needs and acquainting themselves with their plight.

HI/OB/IINA Vientiane, Rabi Al Thani 15/May 23 (IINA