Acceptance of Muslims in Thai South 'will cut violent attacks'

[webfact]

Acceptance of Muslims in South 'will cut violent attacks'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE VIOLENCE in the deep South could reduce by half if the authorities and Thais in general accepted and respected Thai-Malay Muslims' distinct identity, Muslim scholar Somchai Phaejit said.

"If we just look without bias at the identity of Muslims in the southern-border provinces and accept the reality that they're different from those [Thais] from the other regions and even from [others] in the southern region, bad things can then turn into good," Somchai said.

He was speaking yesterday at an event at the Naimatul Islam Mosque in Bangkok that commemorated the deaths of more than 6,000 people from the conflict over the past 10 years.

It was organised by Dhammasatharn by Mahidol University's Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies at Chulalongkorn University.

Somchai urged Thais to stop seeing Thai-Malay Muslims' distinct identity as a threat but instead learn to embrace the diversity.

He cited Bangkok's China Town of Yaowaraj as an example of peaceful coexistence.

Eighty per cent of people living in the deep South are Thai-Malay Muslims.

Somchai said that while the region had a distinct language, culture, religion, traditions and ethnicity, it should not be a problem if Thai-Malay Muslims' identity was fully accepted by other Thais.

"Thai Buddhists in southern-border provinces can coexist |with Thai Muslims because |the Thai Buddhists accepted |the identity of Thai Muslims and Thai Muslims love Thai Buddhists as their brothers and sisters," he said.

Somchai said there were still people in power and Thais in general who regarded Thai-Malay Muslims as non-Thai while disregarding their call for autonomy.

He warned that the spate of violence would only breed further distrust and vengefulness among relatives of victims if it continued.

He urged the authorities to stop human rights violations against suspected separatists.

"Some people who were detained for seven days [under martial law] without charge were assaulted. This can only breed more vengeance," he said.

Up to two people on average were summoned without charge by the military every day over the past 10 years, the forum was told.

As of April, 631 children aged under 15 had been killed in the past 10 years and the total death toll was 6,159.

The Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies produced 1,000 postcards that will be sent to relatives of those killed this year in a gesture of moral support.

Four relatives of people killed spoke yesterday.

"People live in fear," said Yaowapa Kewanpetch, a resident of Pattani, whose aunt was killed in a bomb explosion while her 12-year-old daughter remains in intensive care.

Supamee Samada, a Thai-Malay Muslim from Yala whose father was shot to death, said he was clueless as to who was behind the violence in the deep South today.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Acceptance-of-Muslims-in-South-will-cut-violent-at-30240978.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-15

[maxme]

Yes, violence is the way to go if you want respect.

[stickyrice2000]

Hmmmm, the Muslims were not accepted all this time?

[ozsamurai]

Is it all going this way? Thailand do you really want this??

http://www.examiner.com/article/muslims-demand-breakaway-islamic-nation-norway-or-another-9-11-threatened

http://www.westernjournalism.com/heres-next-country-taken-sharia-law/

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/26/120366.html

when is enough enough??

Oz

[chainarong]

To cut to the chase, will the Muslims reciprocate, me thinks not, they have one aim , regardless of where or when, OZ has been told to expect 100 hundred years of trouble from this religious faith. I rest my case .

[Bluespunk]

Is it all going this way? Thailand do you really want this??

http://www.examiner.com/article/muslims-demand-breakaway-islamic-nation-norway-or-another-9-11-threatened

http://www.westernjournalism.com/heres-next-country-taken-sharia-law/

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/26/120366.html

when is enough enough??

Oz

Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

[Bluespunk]

To cut to the chase, will the Muslims reciprocate, me thinks not, they have one aim , regardless of where or when, OZ has been told to expect 100 hundred years of trouble from this religious faith. I rest my case .

What case? All you are doing is promoting your opinions as facts.

There are indeed vocal Muslims who preach hate and intolerance, as there are Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists who do the same thing.

This does not mean they represent the majority.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Bluespunk

[squarethecircle]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion."

Problem with the article is it is completely one-sided. There's a veritable killing spree against Thai civilians, soldiers, police, totally out of line with any supposed non-acceptance of Southern Muslims. From what I can make out there are plenty of villains on both sides but Thais are in their rights to protect their people and their land, what about the soldiers' and police's rights? And for Christ's sake the Islamophobia charge is ridiculous, there is good reason to fear Islam in its full-blown form.

Edited August 15, 2014 by squarethecircle

[jacky54]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The intolerance, divisiveness and violence of Islam is not 'propaganda' it's the truth. Are you claiming that the terrorists in the south are not all Muslim? Of course they are not the majority, terrorists never are, but that does not make them or the ideology which motivates them any more acceptable. You just cannot talk to these people, they never give 'respect' back and see tolerance as weakness, some people need to wake up.

[squarethecircle]

^^^that was me quoting Bluespunk, not my own views which are stated in post #9

[Bluespunk]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion."

Problem with the article is it is completely one-sided. There's a veritable killing spree against Thai civilians, soldiers, police, totally out of line with any supposed non-acceptance. Now I feel like a stuck record but there are plenty of examples of other "oppressed minorities" that haven't turned to murderous campaigns. But seems like locals in the south themselves aren't sure of who's behind all the attacks (though it seems that the diehards stay up in the mountains or rural parts then come down to launch attacks, or just ambush authorities who go near), maybe some Malay gangsters bombing out the Thai Chinese shops but not going after people, who knows?

Non the less, this is a call for co-existence and acceptance as a step towards peace. There are genuine grievances in the troubled areas of the south, none that justify terrorism and violence, these grievances need to be addressed as part of the peace process.

Addressing genuine grievances is an important stepping stone to undermining the support the terrorists may draw from communities and bring about the end of their campaign of terror.

In the end the authorities may have to return to political arrangements that had ended the previous conflicts and accept the limited autonomy that existed prior to the current situation if a lasting peace is desired.

[jacky54]

what are their 'grievances'?

[Hisseho]

Do you know a predominantly Muslim country that allows some power to minorities?

[assayer]

BANGKOK: -- THE VIOLENCE in the deep South could reduce by half if the authorities and Thais in general accepted and respected Thai-Malay Muslims' distinct identity, Muslim scholar Somchai Phaejit said.

So if they are killing 2 people per day and they cut it to 1 per day by accepting the Muslims, it is okay????

[simple1]

To cut to the chase, will the Muslims reciprocate, me thinks not, they have one aim , regardless of where or when, OZ has been told to expect 100 hundred years of trouble from this religious faith. I rest my case .

The ex head of the Australian Army said he was referring to Islamic extremists, not Islam. His letter stating his displeasure of having his comments distorted by the Islamophobes has been published.

Original article:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/well-fight-radical-islam-for-100-years-says-exarmy-head-peter-leahy/story-e6frg8yo-1227018630297

[Bluespunk]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The intolerance, divisiveness and violence of Islam is not 'propaganda' it's the truth. Are you claiming that the terrorists in the south are not all Muslim? Of course they are not the majority, terrorists never are, but that does not make them or the ideology which motivates them any more acceptable. You just cannot talk to these people, they never give 'respect' back and see tolerance as weakness, some people need to wake up.

Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions, true, but they do not represent Islam, only a twisted version of it.

You condemn Islam as a whole and judge all those who follow it as being guilty of intolerance. In effect you are preaching an equally narrow minded viewpoint.

Any argument that uses the phrase "these people" is never going to seek acceptance, only further division.

[jacky54]

To cut to the chase, will the Muslims reciprocate, me thinks not, they have one aim , regardless of where or when, OZ has been told to expect 100 hundred years of trouble from this religious faith. I rest my case .

The ex head of the Australian Army said he was referring to Islamic extremists, not Islam. His letter stating his displeasure of having his comments distorted by the Islamophobes has been published.

Original article:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/well-fight-radical-islam-for-100-years-says-exarmy-head-peter-leahy/story-e6frg8yo-1227018630297

There is no real difference between Islamic 'extremists' and Islam, so called extremists are just being more faithful to Islam than the 'moderates' who largely support them anyway. Is Islam something to fear?, well looking at it's history over the last 1400 years and the trouble and death it's causing today worldwide I would say definitely yes.

[jacky54]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The intolerance, divisiveness and violence of Islam is not 'propaganda' it's the truth. Are you claiming that the terrorists in the south are not all Muslim? Of course they are not the majority, terrorists never are, but that does not make them or the ideology which motivates them any more acceptable. You just cannot talk to these people, they never give 'respect' back and see tolerance as weakness, some people need to wake up.

Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions, true, but they do not represent Islam, only a twisted version of it.

You condemn Islam as a whole and judge all those who follow it as being guilty of intolerance. In effect you are preaching an equally narrow minded viewpoint.

Any argument that uses the phrase "these people" is never going to seek acceptance, only further division.

There is only one Koran and it has over 100 calls for violence, intolerance and division between the best of people, Muslims and the worst of people, non Muslims. That's what the koran says about 'these people'. The koran tells Muslims to fight non believers for all time and not just in the 7th ct. Yes we all know there are many nice, fluffy Muslims who are not going to blow things up, cut the heads off film producers, murder apostaes, gays and Muslims of another sect, fly planes into buildings, capture Schoolgirls, burn down churches or mutilate their own daughters before selling them off. But that does not make the 'religion' they follow any more palatable. Most communists were not extreme, most national Socialists in Germany would not have been in favour of gas chambers, but this did not make the evil ideologies they followed any less evil either.

[ozsamurai]

"Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions"

Please provide links to extremists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, or that matter of fact any in the recent Catholic, or Christian jihad activity.

Oz

Edited August 15, 2014 by ozsamurai

[Bluespunk]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The intolerance, divisiveness and violence of Islam is not 'propaganda' it's the truth. Are you claiming that the terrorists in the south are not all Muslim? Of course they are not the majority, terrorists never are, but that does not make them or the ideology which motivates them any more acceptable. You just cannot talk to these people, they never give 'respect' back and see tolerance as weakness, some people need to wake up.

Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions, true, but they do not represent Islam, only a twisted version of it.

You condemn Islam as a whole and judge all those who follow it as being guilty of intolerance. In effect you are preaching an equally narrow minded viewpoint.

Any argument that uses the phrase "these people" is never going to seek acceptance, only further division.

There is only one Koran and it has over 100 calls for violence, intolerance and division between the best of people, Muslims and the worst of people, non Muslims. That's what the koran says about 'these people'. The koran tells Muslims to fight non believers for all time and not just in the 7th ct. Yes we all know there are many nice, fluffy Muslims who are not going to blow things up, cut the heads off film producers, murder apostaes, gays and Muslims of another sect, fly planes into buildings, capture Schoolgirls, burn down churches or mutilate their own daughters before selling them off. But that does not make the 'religion' they follow any more palatable. Most communists were not extreme, most national Socialists in Germany would not have been in favour of gas chambers, but this did not make the evil ideologies they followed any less evil either.

You cannot compare nazis with Muslims. Ridiculous comparison.

All the things you present from the Koran can be found in the Torah and the Bible as well [hardly surprising really]. All the things you accuse Islam of are found in many religions.

That doesn't make the actions any less contemptible.

I despise terrorist scum and the atrocities they carry out.

However I also, have no time for bigotry or hate of any sort, including that which you espouse.

[ozsamurai]

[BlueSkyCowboy]

Is it all going this way? Thailand do you really want this??

http://www.examiner.com/article/muslims-demand-breakaway-islamic-nation-norway-or-another-9-11-threatened

http://www.westernjournalism.com/heres-next-country-taken-sharia-law/

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/26/120366.html

when is enough enough??

Oz

Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The peaceful majority is irrelevant. Just read history about Hitler, Stalin, Mao etc. It is the extremists that are the problem.

[Bluespunk]

"Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions"

Please provide links to extremists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, or that matter of fact any in the recent Catholic, or Christian jihad activity.

Oz

Buddhists…..Burma and Sri Lanka both have had extremist elements attacking minorities.

Christians…….Central African Republic and other African countries [remember the LRA?], Serbia and Croatia, Russia's record in it's Muslim majority regions is not good, though I admit, improving.

Hindus…….India

Extremists exist everywhere.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Bluespunk]

Muslims live in peace?....In a pigs eye !!!

Try living among them and see.

I have and I would do so again.

[Bluespunk]

Is it all going this way? Thailand do you really want this??

http://www.examiner.com/article/muslims-demand-breakaway-islamic-nation-norway-or-another-9-11-threatened

http://www.westernjournalism.com/heres-next-country-taken-sharia-law/

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/09/26/120366.html

when is enough enough??

Oz

Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The peaceful majority is irrelevant. Just read history about Hitler, Stalin, Mao etc. It is the extremists that are the problem.

I agree, my point is that there are extremists of all faiths and political persuasions. To demonise just one is wrong.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Bluespunk

[angiud]

Please do not post against Islam and Muslims. Post deleted

Just a remind...

11) You will not post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments directed towards Thailand, specific locations, Thai institutions such as the judicial or law enforcement system, Thai culture, Thai people or any other group on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[ozsamurai]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions"

Please provide links to extremists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, or that matter of fact any in the recent Catholic, or Christian jihad activity.

Oz

Buddhists…..Burma and Sri Lanka both have had extremist elements attacking minorities.

Christians…….Central African Republic and other African countries [remember the LRA?], Serbia and Croatia, Russia's record in it's Muslim majority regions is appalling

Hindus…….India

Extremists exist everywhere.

Buddhist in Burma and Sri Lanka are fighting, surprise surprise, Muslims. Forced to defend themselves from your tolerance and co-habitation. Best you rethink that one.

LRA

Ideologically, LRA believe in African mysticism. It claims to be establishing a theocratic state based on the Ten Commandments and local Acholi tradition. Again a Ugandan group started in 2005 that are off the beaten track.

Oz

[JockPieandBeans]

Muslim terrorist groups are currently carrying out atrocities in 26 Countries worldwide.

They fully deserve their title as the religion that promotes " Peace, harmony and tolerance "

[simple1]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

"Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions"

Please provide links to extremists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, or that matter of fact any in the recent Catholic, or Christian jihad activity.

Oz

Buddhists…..Burma and Sri Lanka both have had extremist elements attacking minorities.

Christians…….Central African Republic and other African countries [remember the LRA?], Serbia and Croatia, Russia's record in it's Muslim majority regions is appalling

Hindus…….India

Extremists exist everywhere.

Buddhist in Burma and Sri Lanka are fighting, surprise surprise, Muslims. Forced to defend themselves from your tolerance and co-habitation. Best you rethink that one.

LRA

Ideologically, LRA believe in African mysticism. It claims to be establishing a theocratic state based on the Ten Commandments and local Acholi tradition. Again a Ugandan group started in 2005 that are off the beaten track.

Oz

Try again regards Burma & Sri Lanka, suppression driven by Buddhist extremist nationalism.

[Thaiready]

"Nothing to do with the article, which is calling for tolerance, acceptance and co-existence. All your links do is promote division, misleading examples and islamaphobic propaganda.

Yes there are religious extremists but they are not the majority, nor are they exclusive to one religion.

The intolerance, divisiveness and violence of Islam is not 'propaganda' it's the truth. Are you claiming that the terrorists in the south are not all Muslim? Of course they are not the majority, terrorists never are, but that does not make them or the ideology which motivates them any more acceptable. You just cannot talk to these people, they never give 'respect' back and see tolerance as weakness, some people need to wake up.

Nonsense. Islam has its extremists like all religions, true, but they do not represent Islam, only a twisted version of it.

You condemn Islam as a whole and judge all those who follow it as being guilty of intolerance. In effect you are preaching an equally narrow minded viewpoint.

Any argument that uses the phrase "these people" is never going to seek acceptance, only further division.

There is only one Koran and it has over 100 calls for violence, intolerance and division between the best of people, Muslims and the worst of people, non Muslims. That's what the koran says about 'these people'. The koran tells Muslims to fight non believers for all time and not just in the 7th ct. Yes we all know there are many nice, fluffy Muslims who are not going to blow things up, cut the heads off film producers, murder apostaes, gays and Muslims of another sect, fly planes into buildings, capture Schoolgirls, burn down churches or mutilate their own daughters before selling them off. But that does not make the 'religion' they follow any more palatable. Most communists were not extreme, most national Socialists in Germany would not have been in favour of gas chambers, but this did not make the evil ideologies they followed any less evil either.

You cannot compare nazis with Muslims. Ridiculous comparison.

All the things you present from the Koran can be found in the Torah and the Bible as well [hardly surprising really]. All the things you accuse Islam of are found in many religions.

That doesn't make the actions any less contemptible.

I despise terrorist scum and the atrocities they carry out.

However I also, have no time for bigotry or hate of any sort, including that which you espouse.

The actions of this So-Called Religion speak louder than Words......you can come to their defence, but you'll be the first to have your head roll if they have their way.