Muslims in Thailand
Muslims
comprise Thailand's largest religious minority and are concentrated
mainly in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani,
Yala,and Satun. Isalam is said to have been
introduced to the Malay peninsula by Arab traders and adventurers
during the 13th century. Most Thai Muslims are of Malay
descent, reflecting the common cultural heritage Thailand's
southernmost provinces share with Malaysia.
Ninety-nine per cent Sunni and one per
cent Shi'ite, Thai Muslims enjoy inspirational and financial
support from His Majesty the King,who provided money for
translating the Koran into Thai. Each year the King or his
representative also presides during celebrations commemorating
the Prophet Muhamand's birthday. Moreover, His Majesty appoints
a respected Muslim religious leader as Chularajamontri,
or State counsellor for all Islamic affairs. The government
also provides funds for building and renovating mosques.
In some southern provinces where the Muslim
population is substantial, government employed Muslim are
allowed to leave for important Muslim festivals and allowed
to work half-days on Friday, the Muslim holy day. In such
provinces family and inheritance cases are judged according
to Koranic law with a Muslim religious judge, or kadi, sitting
on the bench In addition, One four month's leave with full
salary is also granted to allow an employee to make the
Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
There are approximately 2,000 mosques in
Thailand, about 100 of which are in Bangkok. Some 200 muslim
schools offer secular as well as religious instruction.
All in all, Thailand's Muslims enjoy full state support
and are free to teach and practice their religion according
to their own tenets.
Special Legal Provisions in Support
of Islam in Thailand As Islam has been professed in
some local communities, the following legal provisions have
been made over the course of this century in support of
that religion:
Muslim Communities
- The act relating to the application of Islamic law
in the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwar, Yala and Satun
1946, in which the Islamic laws dealing with the matter
of matrimony and inheritance among the Muslims are in
practical use and a Kadi or a Muslim judge is to participate
in the trial and adjudication of such cases and on points
of Islamic law has a power of casting vote.
- The act relating to mosques 1974, in which the Ministry
of Interior is responsible for registration of Interior
is responsible for registration of mosques and the registered
mosque becomes a juristic person.
- The Royal Decree on religious Patronage of the Religion
of Islam 1945, and 1948 in which:
- A councillor for Muslim affairs (Chularatchamontri)
is to be appointed and he is to be ex officio President
of the National Council for Muslims of Thailand
as well.
- The Ministry of Education has been assigned to
start, on appropriate occasion, the Islamic collage
of Thailand so that the Thai Muslims be provided
with a place for study and training 2.
- The National Council for Muslims of Thailand is
to be established consisting of at least five members,
all Muslim, who are appointed and removed by virtue
of the Royal Proclamation.
- Provincial councils for Muslims are by the Decree
to be set up in all provinces in which an appropriate
number 3 of Muslims are domiciled.
- Each provincial is authorized by the Decree to
appoint a council for each mosque in its province.
The mosque-council consisting of at least seven
members, all Muslim, is presided over by an Imam
who is responsible for the missionary work in the
locality and the administrative work of the mosque.
