As Thailand's Deep South insurgency drags on, families suffer, persevere

Photos by AFP, Ahmad Ramansiriwong special to Khabar and courtesty of SBPAC

2014-03-25

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Mariyah Nibosu, whose husband was shot dead in 2009 by unknown gunmen, stands outside her home in September 2013 in the state-run 'widows' village' of Rotan Batu, 20km from Narathiwat. "Women suffer a lot here," she said. "But we are strong. We have to feed our children by ourselves. We have to survive." [Christophe Archambault/AFP]

Mariyah's 3-year-old son holds a photo of his slain father, whom he never met. Grief over Deep South violence unites women across religious lines. In the ten years since the insurgency flared, close to 6,000 people have been killed. [Christophe Archambault/AFP]

Tungrudee Jaiin (right) prepares food at her Rotan Batu home. In 2009, her husband — for whom she converted to Islam — was killed by insurgents who accused him of being a government informer. Two weeks later, the assailants returned for her. She survived being shot in the face, abdomen and legs, but is blind in one eye. Her son was badly burned in a fire set by the rebels. [Christophe Archambault/AFP]

Rangers stand guard at a school in Narathiwat after its headmaster was killed by suspected separatist militants in December 2012. Violence against educators has led to a high level of post-traumatic stress disorder among children in the Deep South. [Madaree Tohlala/AFP]

Teachers cry after two of their colleagues were killed by a roadside bomb attack in Chanae, Narathiwat on July 24th, 2013. [Madaree Tohlala/AFP]

Families take part in Children's Day activities in Yala's Muang District on January 11th. For children in the Deep South, random violence and the sight of heavily armed security forces are a regular part of life. [Ahmad Ramansiriwong/Khabar]

Members of the Narathiwat "Rolling Hands" Wheelchair Association take part in a prayer and support ceremony at Narathiwat Rachanakharin Hospital in Muang District on February 4th. The group includes both Malay Muslim and Thai Buddhist victims of the insurgency. [Photo courtesy of Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC)]

Muslim children study at the local madrassa at Rotan Batu in Narathiwat, where women widowed by Deep South violence struggle to raise and educate their children alone. [Christophe Archambault/AFP]

Padeelaeh Mayu recovers in hospital after the February 3rd attack that killed her three sons, aged 6, 9 and 11. Gunmen opened fire on the pregnant Padeelaeh and her family as they returned home from evening prayers in Narathiwat's Bajoh district. Authorities later arrested two rogue members of a volunteer security unit for what they said was a revenge killing. [Photo by SBPAC]

Reader Comments

  • Aswir Astaman September 15, 2014 @ 01:09:45AM

    Islam is a peaceful religion, only Islam is tolerant and loyal, the others are just hypocrites. For example, wherever Islam is a minority, including Indonesia, Islam is always oppressed. People of other faiths must realize this. Therefore, do not always paint Islam as being the one that is intolerant and unloyal.

  • madi July 23, 2014 @ 09:07:29PM

    The earth and sky and all they contain are the creations of the almighty Allah and all that happen in this world are warnings for humans, to remind them all things that happen are retributions for the sins we have committed, whether it is wickedness towards our fellow humans or disregard for this universe. Let us repent and continue to be introspective.

  • boy alexander suryadinatta June 30, 2014 @ 10:06:39PM

    A good citizen must know the obligations and rights of a citizen. Do not be a malcontent, it will lead us further away from maintaining good relationships. Why be a malcontent? It is not a good thing and people will fall victim. Be a good citizen. Thanks.

  • IRIANTO DJOKO P. June 22, 2014 @ 03:06:48AM

    I can offer only prayers, may God, be He glorified in the highest, grant heaven to those who perished in jihad in the cause of Allah, Amin, and may all those they left behind be given strength, grace and a better life in the world and the afterlife. Amin.

  • ASEP SURYA JAYA KENCANA June 13, 2014 @ 02:06:11AM

    Love is happiness, love is gentle. Let peace dwell in our hearts, be patient in facing all problems. Take that pain into prayer. Believe that when the time comes, Allah will help His people. If you are weak, then your convictions will be weak. Fight your weakness into fervor and there you will find that the nationalism of the enemy will be weak. Exercise self control (afala ta'qilun), use your reason, live your life so that you remain sturdy like lightning-plated steel.

  • HL MUSLEH June 12, 2014 @ 05:06:16AM

    Allah is great. I once carried out Khuruj Fisabilillah in the region where you live and even I encountered this issue and boom, there was an explosion near where we were. My sister, I can only pray that Allah will give aid for you and your family and all His faithful and the righteous. Amin.

  • Saridjo June 11, 2014 @ 05:06:22AM

    May the prayers of the abused be granted soon by Allah. People are abusing their own and they suffer and many are killed and die but do not fear, Allah will grant victory and glory before Him.

  • m.faris lesmana June 11, 2014 @ 05:06:07AM

    Wherever we humans live and take shelter, it is not guaranteed that we are met with the same fate.

  • My brothers, though I cannot take this body to help you, may this sincere prayer give serenity and change for the better in the future. Have patience my brothers, Allah sees all. He is close and help will come soon, Allah willing.

  • Amel June 4, 2014 @ 11:06:27AM

    The world of Allah revolves, therefore the Kauniyah law also revolves. Because of this, Insya Allah ta'ala, the suffering of my brothers today will in turn be exacted upon the heretical Siam/Thai Buddhist infidel invaders. Have patience in waiting for His promise. Allah is great.

  • nini June 2, 2014 @ 08:06:26AM

    Be patient, my brothers over there. Allah does not sleep.

  • s y a h r u l June 2, 2014 @ 05:06:27AM

    I have been there and I saw that at the time it was peaceful and there were many guard posts (riot prevention). Moving forward, be patient, my fellows, in facing this situation.

  • abdul May 29, 2014 @ 02:05:53AM

    Hopefully, Allah will exact retribution for the evil done by irresponsible people who have killed Muslims. One day they will experience more misery than the Muslims they harm today. As the saying goes, the place in the wheel is not always on top, once in a while it will also be on the bottom. My brothers and sisters, be patient for heaven awaits you.

  • Shalahuddin May 28, 2014 @ 05:05:09AM

    May Allah always give you patience and strength, my brothers. Be certain that Allah would not take your faith in vain, may Allah bless you, keep you and strengthen you, Amin.

  • noer namry noor May 24, 2014 @ 09:05:11PM

    Prioritize patience, perform mandatory prayer and try not to be absent from tahajjud prayer at the end of the night to request from Him. Insya Allah, God will give give a helping hand to His servants who have been wronged. Allahu Akbar.

  • permadi.bakri May 23, 2014 @ 08:05:17PM

    Every struggle requires sacrifice, especially struggles for our homeland and religion. Islam, be patient, and let things happen, my brothers! The true Muslim should never abandon the battlefield. Our prayers are with you.

  • jajat sudrajat May 16, 2014 @ 02:05:16PM

    The patient man is beloved by Allah SWT, patience brings victory. Do not fear, my fellow Muslims, keep moving forward until the end of time.

  • abd kadir May 14, 2014 @ 06:05:31PM

    Countries should protect and prevent murder and suffering.

  • Alam Abubakar, BE. May 13, 2014 @ 10:05:02PM

    Hopefully peace is established quickly so that the people there will live peacefully and will be able to engage in development and worship the way they are intended to. Amin.

  • faruq ali akbar (raihana) May 10, 2014 @ 12:05:49AM

    O Allah. My brothers, in truth I envy you. You are being tested by Allah and I hope that you would have patience and receive the garden as your reward.

  • kasino atriyana May 7, 2014 @ 07:05:35AM

    Hopefully the conflict will soon end. Have pity on the common people.

  • jessica chyntha May 2, 2014 @ 08:05:00PM

    The paradox of Islam. When they are the majority they usually discriminate against minorities and in some countries they even implement one of the Prophet's teachings: jizyah money (security guarantee for minorities). However, when they exist as a minority they would rebel just as they are doing in Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Pakistan against India (they actually got worse after independence). This is tiresome.

  • M. Mujib April 29, 2014 @ 02:04:45AM

    The world is but a game, what is real is the community in the afterlife. Life in this world is only temporary, life in the hereafter is everlasting. Have patience, my Muslim brothers and sisters in Thailand's Deep South, Allah's paradise awaits your fragrance. Amin.

  • agus April 23, 2014 @ 04:04:34AM

    What our brothers in Thailand are experiencing should serve as a warning to us, Allah and the Prophet has commanded us to cultivate love among fellow human beings, to appreciate and respect each other, to share our blessings and to not be greedy. Only we can make ourselves happy, discard all greed and avarice and make corruption a thing of the past.

  • saipul April 20, 2014 @ 12:04:28PM

    May Allah bless you, Akhi.

  • dadan kurnia April 10, 2014 @ 06:04:32AM

    O, Great Teacher, may our brothers over there be given patience, so that they die a good death, Amin, Great Teacher.

  • polem April 4, 2014 @ 06:04:53AM

    To all my brothers in southern Thailand being oppressed, you should leave and go to a safe country to save your principles and your souls. Seek political asylum in other, more stable, countries and pray to Allah so that you may be free from threats and torture. Unite in Allah's religion to fight wickedness.

  • Tamsir April 3, 2014 @ 06:04:25AM

    We must help them on the basis of humanity, not ethnicity, religion and race. The UN takes on Indonesia's role in the forefront.

  • wienrimbaraya March 28, 2014 @ 01:03:27AM

    A person's journey on Allah's Earth. Hail all my brothers there, know that the ground that you live on is a heavenly garden full of blessings and the Creator is testing the faith of this nation. What you have experienced have been experienced by the people of Aceh. Sumatera has experienced even more. Have patience, one day Allah will bestow something special to His people who are patient. Greetings for me, a fighter of Aceh (Tgk.Wienrimbaraya).

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