Thai South crisis: Death of Imam Yakob a blow to peace-building

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
Death of Imam Yakob a blow to peace-building
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation



PATTANI: -- Imam Yakob Raimanee of the Central Masjid in Pattani, the province's main mosque, is remembered for being kind, approachable, and helpful to peace-building efforts.

Throughout the past many years, he worked openly with Thai authorities in efforts to restore peace in the country's deep South.

Sadly, the ongoing wave of violence took his life on Monday.

Yakob, 51, was shot dead while shopping with his wife at a local market. The shooting took place just three days after a suspect was arrested for his alleged role in the 2011 assassination attempt on Yakob's life.

Back then, the bullet just pierced through his kapiyoh, a hat worn by Muslims.

But this time, Yakob was killed.

In his life, this religious leader made huge contributions to Thailand and won many awards, including being named a key contributor to human resource development in the country's southern border provinces and an outstanding contributor to the Culture Ministry in terms of religious affairs.

He had frequently served as a religious speaker for radio stations in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces.

Yakob was also credited with efforts to make the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Muslim World League understand the situation in the deep South better.

His death, therefore, has brought much grief to all who knew him.

"His death came as a shock. I almost fainted when this bad news came up," a 65-year-old man said.

Officials have said that Yakob's death is a blow to their efforts to restore peace in the deep South.

But in his last interview with the media, Yakob expressed hope on Monday that with patience, understanding and sincerity from all sides, the unrest in the far South would finally end.


-- The Nation 2013-08-07

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
BRN provided new data on imam killing: NSC
Nakarin Chinworakomon,
Parez Lohasan
The Nation



Paradon won't elaborate; says two new groups want to join peace dialogue

PATTANI: -- THE AUTHORITIES have received some information from the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) group in relation to the killing of a prominent imam in Pattani on Monday, but no details have been made available.

General Paradorn Pattanatabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), confirmed this yesterday but refused to elaborate. "Questions have been asked and some answers have arrived, but I can't disclose the information," he said.

BRN and Thai authorities have been engaged in peace negotiations, with the next round of talks scheduled to take place on August 18.

Imam Yakob Raimanee of the Central Masjid in Pattani, who openly worked with the Thai authorities, was gunned down on Monday. This assassination took place even though BRN had promised a truce during the month of Ramadan.

Paradorn has dismissed suggestions that the imam's killing showed that the peace dialogue has been a failure.

"The imam was targeted earlier, two years ago," he said, pointing out that the peace dialogue had only begun this year.

However, Paradorn acknowledged that after the imam's death, people would become more reluctant to cooperate with the authorities' efforts to end the turmoil in the deep South.

He said police were looking into Yakob's killing in line with normal procedure, but the authorities would also ask BRN about the incident via Malaysia, which is the facilitator of the talks.

Paradorn said violence seemed to have intensified in the deep South during the latter part of Ramadan, adding that those who do not wish to see the peace dialogue go ahead were trying to disrupt it.

When asked if there were any other groups that wanted to become part of the peace dialogue, Paradorn said two other groups had come forward, but as of now the Thai authorities had decided that all contact would be made via BRN.

Meanwhile, the Scientific Crime Detection Division 10 Yala Centre said tests showed that the type of bullet and revolver used on Yakob matched the type used in several other security cases.

More than 7,000 people attended praying rites ahead of Yakob's funeral late on Monday. He had commanded much love and respect in the local community.

Waedeuramae Mamingji, who chairs the Pattani Islamic Committee, said everybody was sad about what had happened. "But this will not affect religious leaders' determination to promote the right principles and peace talks," he said.

Waedeuramae said Yakob was usually given a security escort, but on Monday he decided to go to the market with his wife because he was familiar with the area and did not think he had any enemies.

Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamun said yesterday that security measures for religious leaders had to be intensified.


-- The Nation 2013-08-07

[northernjohn]

Nobody is safe in the south those Islamic terrorists kill there own if they don't agree with there terrorist methods.

Kill the infidel to them means any one who does not subscribe to there type of Islam.

[GentlemanJim]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

[simple1]

We are not permitted to provide URL links to the Bangkok Post, but do a search on "brave imam falls victim to extremism" In my opinion its a good informative article

[simple1]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

Many Muslims use names from the Old Testament.

[somchai jones]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

?

[kotsak]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

Yeap, got me thinking too, considering the significance of the biblical Jacob

On the other hand, he is revered as a propher and patriarch by the muslims too so I guess it makes sense..

[LuukKoeyKorat]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

Many Muslims use names from the Old Testament.

The usual Arabic spelling of Joseph/Jacob/Jakob is Youssef. You are right many Muslims use the 'Christianised' version.

[SOTIRIOS]

..........many people are of the opinion that......it can only be conniving politicians who would want him dead.......to perpetuate unrest.....

.....it creates a distraction from the messes that the government is otherwise mishandling...

[kotsak]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

Many Muslims use names from the Old Testament.

The usual Arabic spelling of Joseph/Jacob/Jakob is Youssef. You are right many Muslims use the 'Christianised' version.

Sorry but Joseph and Jacob are different names (Joseph is the son of Jacob btw)..

[Valentine]

A religion that has to keep the masses in line through fear is IMO not a religion at all. Not allowing freedom of expression regarding said religion is a travesty & the extreme Muslims are not the only ones as it has been used by Christians & others in the past.

[Bluespunk]

"When asked if there were any other groups that wanted to become part of the peace dialogue, Paradorn said two other groups had come forward, but as of now the Thai authorities had decided that all contact would be made via BRN."

Well that's just plain stupid.

[MaxYakov]

An Imam named Yakob ? 2+2=5

Checking out your math:

"Since Jacob is also venerated as a Prophet of Islam, his name is commonly used as a male first name in Arab and Muslim societies (Arabic Yakub, Turkish Yakop)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_%28name%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakub_%28Nation_of_Islam%29

[Bluespunk]

"Paradorn has dismissed suggestions that the imam's killing showed that the peace dialogue has been a failure.

"The imam was targeted earlier, two years ago," he said, pointing out that the peace dialogue had only begun this year."

With logical thinking like this from those in charge, these talks are going nowhere.

[MaxYakov]

What Aljazerra (and its comments) has to say about this:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/08/20138516387558762.html

Edited August 7, 2013 by MaxYakov

[SouthernMan3]

Yes, it's true.

They even kill their own.

[simple1]

Yes, it's true.

They even kill their own.

No, "they" kill those who do not support their political agenda as clearly stated in the OP

[SouthernMan3]

Yes, it's true.

They even kill their own.

No, "they" kill those who do not support their political agenda as clearly stated in the OP

By "their own" I meant other 'brother' Muslims.

[simple1]

Yes, it's true.

They even kill their own.

No, "they" kill those who do not support their political agenda as clearly stated in the OP

By "their own" I meant other 'brother' Muslims.

Exactly it's not about religion, but human power politics; just as those of other faiths who do not ahere to their religion when killings and other activities contary to their doctrine.

[SouthernMan3]

Yes, it's true.

They even kill their own.

No, "they" kill those who do not support their political agenda as clearly stated in the OP

By "their own" I meant other 'brother' Muslims.

Exactly it's not about religion, but human power politics; just as those of other faiths who do not ahere to their religion when killings and other activities contary to their doctrine.

Agreed.

I actually know many very cool Muslim people.

[simple1]

No, "they" kill those who do not support their political agenda as clearly stated in the OP

By "their own" I meant other 'brother' Muslims.

Exactly it's not about religion, but human power politics; just as those of other faiths who do not ahere to their religion when killings and other activities contary to their doctrine.

Agreed.

I actually know many very cool Muslim people.

Me too...

[Calimotty]

Forum wisdom?Brings tears to my eyes. Just like my old Sunday school.

The only significance of the comparisons for me,still the two most destructive religions on the planet.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Calimotty

[northernjohn]

..........many people are of the opinion that......it can only be conniving politicians who would want him dead.......to perpetuate unrest.....

.....it creates a distraction from the messes that the government is otherwise mishandling...

Well you are right the government is mishandeling it.

But what would be the proper way to handle it?

That is the big question.

As far as the name goes the Old Testament is part of the Koran.

[md92h]

about the unrest in south there is a (high ) possibility that the a group of muslims being paid by some country (unfortunately i believe it's my country ) to kill those who want peace like Imam Yakob just to make the matters worst. they have been doing it in pakistan for years and recently in some african countries (egypt, lybia, algeria, cameroon).

off topic: about the name Yakob (Jacob), well since it's name of one of the prophets that jews, christians and muslims believe then for muslims it's an honor to be named after them. i have friends with names Isa (Jesus), Mousa (Moses), Ismail (Samuel), Ibrahim (Abraham), Yusuf (Joseph), Danial, etc. it's a law of islam to respect all the prophets.