Towards a Sustainable Future: Interfaith Cooperation and Economic Development in Thailand
:Yaoharee Lahtee
Thai Muslims Make Up 6% of Thailand’s 71 Million Population, Totaling About 4 Million PeopleThe remaining 67 million people do not practice Islam. Thai Muslims have been part of Thailand’s history since the Ayutthaya period or even earlier. Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and diverse Muslims, both native and immigrant, have always been a part of building Thai history and have lived harmoniously within Thai society.
⦿Current Challenges Faced by Thai Muslims
In recent times, the Muslim community faces significant criticism from those uneasy with Islam. Topics like Muslims taking over the country through mosque construction, halal food dominance, southern conflicts, issues with conversion to and apostasy from Islam, Islamic banks, and other recurring issues fuel this criticism annually.
I have had exchanges on social media with a non-Muslim elder upset about the bad debts of the Islamic bank, mistakenly believing that 100% of its executives are Muslims, and has been criticizing the Muslim community harshly for years. In reality, only a few board members are Muslims, and all executives, regardless of background, share responsibility for the bank's performance
Additionally, issues related to halal spending, both factual and fictional, circulated in non-Muslim communities, increase the distance between Non-Muslim and Muslim groups. The lack of transparent donation or income audits exacerbates these issues, as there's no public explanation of where the money comes from and where it goes, igniting tensions annually.
⦿Internal Conflicts Within the Muslim Community
Meanwhile, the Muslim community often engages in conflicts over varying degrees of Shariah interpretations and disputes over Eid celebrations. While seeking religious correctness is commendable, it results in less content being shared with the non-Muslim society about the virtues of Islam, how Islam improves the lives of Muslims, and how to invite others to live better Muslim lives as examples to spread Allah's commands. Most of our focus is on internal religious debates.
⦿Future Integration with ASEAN under DEFA
Next year, ASEAN will integrate under the DEFA agreement, connecting the region into a large economic network with a unified payment standard, international transportation, and travel system, encompassing 680 million people, including nearly 300 million Muslims, a significant market for the future. Thailand will fully compete in this market.
⦿The Necessity for Thai Unity Across Religions
In such a vast market, relying on the 4% Muslim population or other religious groups lacking understanding of Islamic culture is insufficient. If Thailand does not adapt, it will rapidly lose competitive potential. The market dynamics will change, much like how more capable Chinese entrepreneurs with larger capital and better knowledge have replaced Thai businesses.
⦿The Economic Imperative of Interfaith Cooperation
Economically, it is crucial for all Thais, regardless of religion, to learn and develop together, sharing and promoting each other’s goodness. No one wants to take over the country; everyone just wants to coexist peacefully, as has been the case since Ayutthaya. We must use the Buddhists' potential, Muslims' knowledge, and the capabilities of all Thais to prepare for upcoming changes.
This unity is more important than religious conflicts, and supporting each other in a multicultural environment is essential. Singapore is an exemplary country succeeding in this aspect across all religious dimensions, from which we should learn and adapt.
⦿A Call for Interfaith Unity and Economic Cooperation
Next year, all religions in Thailand must join hands to advance and build a multicultural economy, preparing entrepreneurs of all faiths to accommodate the large Muslim market and multicultural market. Economics will bring us closer under mutual goodwill, following Allah’s command:
"O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."
(Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayah 13)
โฆษณา
- ดาวน์โหลดแอปพลิเคชัน
- © 2024 Blockdit
