Deep South holds pre-Ramadan peace summit

Assembled Muslim leaders "plead with one and all" to ensure a peaceful Holy Month

By Rapee Mama for Khabar Southeast Asia in Yala Town

July 06, 2013
Reset Text smaller larger

Religious leaders in Thailand's troubled Deep South region are taking steps to try and ensure that the upcoming Ramadan will be free of the kind of violent attacks that marred last year's Holy Month.

  • Muslim peace protesters march in Yala's Raman District on July 4th, calling for a stop to violence in Thailand's Deep South as the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches. [Ahmad Ramansiriwong/Khabar]

    Muslim peace protesters march in Yala's Raman District on July 4th, calling for a stop to violence in Thailand's Deep South as the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches. [Ahmad Ramansiriwong/Khabar]

  • Wisut Binlaatah, director of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT), addresses a July 4th meeting at the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) in Yala on ways to help prevent violence during Ramadan. [Photo courtesy of SBPAC]

    Wisut Binlaatah, director of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT), addresses a July 4th meeting at the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) in Yala on ways to help prevent violence during Ramadan. [Photo courtesy of SBPAC]

At the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) outside Yala Town on Thursday (July 4th), high-ranking representatives of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) and members of the Five Southern Border Provinces Imam Council presented top bureaucrats in the region with a list of ways to help prevent violence during the Holy Month.

"The majority of residents in the three southern-most provinces practice Islam. As Ramadan is the Holy Month for Muslims, we must all understand and accept the importance they place on this religious tradition, especially police and military personnel who come in close personal contact with them on a daily basis," said SBPAC Director Tawee Sodsong.

"This is a chance to gather together, listen to guidelines and increase our understanding to ensure that all of our work supports the lifestyle of the local people," Tawee said.

The meeting was attended by governors of all five southern border provinces and representatives from the police, military, women's groups and other groups.

"I want to reduce the amount of violence this Ramadan so that it can serve as intended: as a period of forgiveness, compassion and good deeds," he said. "I hope that all of those present from so many groups and associations will spread this message of peace so that community groups far and wide will hear the message."

Taweek said as Thai Buddhists observe Buddhist Lent over much of the same period, leaders of both faiths should urge their followers to use this time to restore peace in the region.

Protecting Ramadan

Meeting participants unanimously agreed that members of government agencies and other groups should adhere strictly to their work responsibilities to ensure religious observances in all five provinces are supported throughout Ramadan 1434, which will officially begin with the expected sighting of the moon on July 9th by the Office of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand.

They also unanimously agreed on a nine-point plan to help ensure the Holy Month is a period of beauty, spiritual purification and forgiveness.

The points ranged from ensuring adequate medical monitoring of those fasting, allowing Muslim government workers to work from 8am to 3pm so they can observe the traditions, and ensuring group prayer services and sermons take place in local mosques.

Concerns about the potential for violence during what is supposed to be the holiest time of year stem from a spike in violent incidents and casualties in the region during Ramadan 1433.

Recently released figures by independent monitoring agency Deep South Watch record no let-up in the violence in the days leading up to Ramadan. In the six-day period from June 27th to July 2nd, 17 incidents of insurgency-related violence were recorded.

These resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left 21 injured, including two children under age of ten. Approximately half the victims were state security forces. The remainder was mostly local Thai Muslims.

Messages of peace

"We want this to be a time of peace and spiritual concentration. Any party who has strayed and done wrong should cease with all such actions and use the opportunity Ramadan presents to return to the beautiful pathway of peace," said Abdullohman Abdulsamad, president of the Five Southern Border Provinces Imam Council.

"Religious leaders should speak in whatever language is necessary, especially local dialects, to get the message of peace and understanding across. So in the true spirit of Ramadan, and as called for by religious leaders, we plead with one and all to cease the violence during Ramadan and use this opportunity as a starting point on the pathway to peace."

Three sides – those who have taken up arms against the state, the local people, and state authorities – all have roles to play to ensure a peaceful Ramadan, said Muslim community leader Istanor Yaban.

"Ongoing talks between the BRN and the state are positive signs and although they are just still in the initial stages and have yet to yield any concrete results, they nevertheless provide residents of the southern border provinces with hope," he said, referring to recent peace talks with rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional.

Add A Comment (Comments Policy)* denotes required field

Poll

Indonesia has recently moved to increase the military's involvement in antiterrorism efforts. Do you approve of the military's expanded role?

Photo Essay

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.

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