Representatives of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, the Southwest Steering Committee, the Military High Command Zone 9, provincial leaders and thousands of Hoa Hao followers attended the event.
Chairman Huynh Cong Muoc of the An Giang chapter of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front commended the Central Hoa Hao Buddhist Congregation’s Executive Committee, its provincial representative committees and those at the grassroots level for coming together to form a united community and following the constitution and national laws.
The same day, 34,000 Hoa Hao followers in southern Vinh Long province took part in similar activities in those localities.
Everywhere Huynh Phu So’s birthday was celebrated, leaders of agencies, organisations and localities spoke highly of the sect’s followers and the executive committees’ contributions to adhering to the Party’s policies and the State’s laws.
They have created solidarity between religious and non-religious people to develop their hometowns.
In 2013, the province’s Hoa Hao followers donated over VND5.7 billion (US$267,900) for charitable activities.
On the occasion, the Central Hoa Hao Buddhist Congregation commended three followers who have made remarkable contributions to charitable work in the province this year.
Founded in 1939 in An Giang province, the Hoa Hao Buddhist sect – which combines Buddhism, Animism, Confucianism and indigenous practices – has developed in 19 provinces and cities nationwide, and boasts over two million followers.
This year, followers nationwide contributed more than 210 billion (nearly US$10 million) to charitable activities and the building of social works.
