Religion, Violence Religion, Violence and Peaceand Peace

The conflict in The conflict in Southern Thailand as Southern Thailand as

a case studya case study

The religious dimension of The religious dimension of violence violence

•9/11 --- Islamic terrorism?9/11 --- Islamic terrorism?

•Oslo/2011 --- Christian Oslo/2011 --- Christian terrorism?terrorism?

•What are the lessons? What What are the lessons? What are the answers? Secular are the answers? Secular Humanism?Humanism?

The religious dimension of The religious dimension of peace peace

•Secular Humanism and the Secular Humanism and the reduction of violence.reduction of violence.

•Secular Humanism as a foundation Secular Humanism as a foundation for a “peaceful” society?for a “peaceful” society?

•The religious foundations for The religious foundations for sacrifice and a sense of our common sacrifice and a sense of our common humanityhumanity

Background of the conflict Background of the conflict in Southern Thailand in Southern Thailand

• The Malay Kingdom of Patani (16The Malay Kingdom of Patani (16thth-19-19thth century)century)

• Annexation by Siam in early 20Annexation by Siam in early 20thth century century• The cultural council of the 1950s The cultural council of the 1950s

(assimilation policy)(assimilation policy)• Thai nationalism and Patani nationalismThai nationalism and Patani nationalism• Armed liberation movements (1960s ….)Armed liberation movements (1960s ….)• Increase of violence since 2004Increase of violence since 2004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Souththailandmap.GIF

The role of religion in peace The role of religion in peace processes in southern Thailandprocesses in southern Thailand

•In what sense is this a In what sense is this a religious conflict?religious conflict?

•Inter and intra religious Inter and intra religious dialogue and the work of the dialogue and the work of the National Reconciliation National Reconciliation CommissionCommission

The role of culture in peace The role of culture in peace processes in southern Thailandprocesses in southern Thailand

•Reimagining what it means to Reimagining what it means to be “Thai” be “Thai”

•Islam and the problem of Islam and the problem of “Thainess” (the importance of “Thainess” (the importance of a sense of belonging)a sense of belonging)

The Chularajamontri’s (1990) The Chularajamontri’s (1990) answers to some of the answers to some of the questions posed by the Thai questions posed by the Thai government.government.

• QQ On various occasions when the On various occasions when the person presiding opens the occasion by person presiding opens the occasion by the lighting of incense and candles in the lighting of incense and candles in homage to the Buddha, those in the homage to the Buddha, those in the audience stand in respect. Buddhists audience stand in respect. Buddhists must put their palms together (panom must put their palms together (panom mue) while muslims stand straight. Is this mue) while muslims stand straight. Is this in accordance with the teachings of Islam?in accordance with the teachings of Islam?

• AA Muslims should remain seated.Muslims should remain seated.

• QQ When Muslim students do the “respect When Muslim students do the “respect to Teachers” ceremony prior to boxing to Teachers” ceremony prior to boxing matches or matches or

sword dances, is this in violation of the sword dances, is this in violation of the teaching of Islam.teaching of Islam.

• AA Bowing on hands and knees in respect Bowing on hands and knees in respect to any other then Allah is in violation of the to any other then Allah is in violation of the

teaching of Islam, whatever the occasion teaching of Islam, whatever the occasion may be.may be.

• QQ On various important National Days, such On various important National Days, such as King Chulalongkorn Day, wreaths are placed as King Chulalongkorn Day, wreaths are placed

before the statue of King Chulalongkorn before the statue of King Chulalongkorn followed by a ceremony of paying respect by followed by a ceremony of paying respect by bowing on bowing on

hands and knees. Can Muslims participate by hands and knees. Can Muslims participate by standing straight and bowing their head in standing straight and bowing their head in

respect? Would this be in violation of Islam?respect? Would this be in violation of Islam?

• AA Paying homage to images is in violation of Paying homage to images is in violation of Islam, whether it be statues or portraits.Islam, whether it be statues or portraits.

•QQ Are various uniforms such as boy Are various uniforms such as boy scouts or sports shorts in violation of scouts or sports shorts in violation of Islamic teaching?Islamic teaching?

•AA Such attire is in violation of Such attire is in violation of Islamic teachings.Islamic teachings.

•QQ Can Muslims participate in Can Muslims participate in Buddhist funerals?Buddhist funerals?

•AA Taking part in Buddhist funeral Taking part in Buddhist funeral ceremonies is contrary to the ceremonies is contrary to the teachings of Islam. It is best to offer teachings of Islam. It is best to offer condolences and assistance to the condolences and assistance to the family of the deceased but not family of the deceased but not attend the funeral.attend the funeral.

• QQ Is paying respect to the portrait of the Is paying respect to the portrait of the King in various ceremonies in violation of theKing in various ceremonies in violation of the

teachings of Islam?teachings of Islam?

• AA Standing in respect in front of the King’s Standing in respect in front of the King’s portrait is not in violation. Bowing one’s portrait is not in violation. Bowing one’s head slightly is considered inappropriate, but head slightly is considered inappropriate, but not forbidden . Bowing one’s head to the not forbidden . Bowing one’s head to the level of Ruku is forbidden.level of Ruku is forbidden.

Addressing the conflictAddressing the conflict

•Military or political solution?Military or political solution?

•Development and/or dialogue Development and/or dialogue with those opposed to the State.with those opposed to the State.

•Beginning of dialogue: Beginning of dialogue: Understanding how we hurt Understanding how we hurt others.others.