Hasyim urges Thai Muslims to stop violence

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.