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 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.
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