Hasyim urges Thai Muslims to stop violence

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post/Bangkok

Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), urged the Thai government and Muslims to stop the chain of violence in the southern part of the country, saying acts of terror only invite more terror.

The Thai government invited Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi to talk with Muslims in Thailand's restive southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala as part of its efforts to find a peaceful solution.

The Thai government has been in the spotlight, especially among Islamic nations, for its iron-fist approach in handling unrest in the three predominantly Muslim provinces in the south.

The uprising in southern Thailand was mainly caused by dissatisfaction with the central government's way of handling the provinces in addition to historical and sociocultural differences.

Hasyim and five other delegates met with about 1,000 local leaders and representatives from the three provinces and spent Wednesday evening there.

"I told the clerics from the provinces to convince their followers to stop violence, as violence never ends," said Hasyim.

"I also conveyed the same message to Thai foreign minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon upon returning from the south.

"It would be better to improve education and address poverty in the south as well as uphold social justice."

Hasyim also urged leaders in the south not to consider seceding from Thailand as it would only lead to disaster.

"As for the Thai government, I suggested it not internationalize the matter but keep it internal."

"It would be very difficult if it were internationalized because so many parties would become involved and serve their own interests.

"Don't forget, there are always people who take advantage in times of conflict or disaster," said Hasyim when discussing his mediation efforts with the Indonesian community on Thursday evening at the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok.

During a parliamentary debate, both Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed to avoid violence. Thaksin ordered on Thursday a reduced military presence in the south.

While many think the conflict is rooted in religion, Hasyim said that was not the case but there were parties who wanted to give the conflict a religious color.

"True religion-based conflict is rare, actually," he said.

"What usually happens is a misunderstanding of a religion's teachings and the misuse of it."

Hasyim told The Jakarta Post it seemed that the Thai government had accepted his suggestions.

"The foreign minister said his government would act on those of my suggestions that it could.

"It also seems that the Thai parliament had discussed ideas similar to my suggestions."

Hasyim's entourage included Rozi Munir, Ridwan Lubis, Ikbal Sulam and Ikhwanul Kiram Mashuri. Also accompanying the group was Bambang Sumantri, a member of the advisory board of the Council of Buddhist Communities (Walubi).

"I asked Pak Bambang to come with me because I needed someone who understands Buddhism," said Hasyim.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Ibrahim Yusuf said Kantathi called his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda to convey his appreciation of Hasyim's efforts.