Experience Being a Muslim in Thailand (Report Writting 03)

I think coming as a muslim in Thailand with Islam as a minority religion will make me a stranger anyway. Because of the minority, it is impossible for me to find muslim women in veil and not hear the call to prayer. I had even imagined that the feast of Eid al-Adha (one of the great Muslim days) this year i could not possibly listen to the voice of Takbir (This call is echoed by Muslims to glorify God's name). However, what i imagine is wrong. Islam gets recognition from people in Thailand and non-Muslim society is also very good to treat us.

In Thailand Islam is found in 5 regions, among others Pattani Province (80%), Yala (68.9%), Narathiwat, Satun (67.8%) also Songkhla. Muslim citizens from these areas then spread in other parts of Thailand for reasons of work and study, including in the Thanyaburi Patumthani region. Like where i am studying now, even though i do not know how many exact numbers, i have no trouble finding the veiled women and the number of men who never leave in Friday prayers. even in my opinion the muslims in thailand are very friendly and practice Islam as a grace for the whole of nature. As written in the Qur'an, the book of Islamic guidance. It is seen when every time they meet me who wear the veil, they will say "Assalamu'alaikum", that sentence is a greeting in our religion.

Likewise with the celebration of my first religion great day in Thailand which falls on September 1, 2017. At first i thought that i would pray Eid al-Adha in the hall of the Indonesian embassy in Thailand. There is no sound of takbir, no family warmth, and no get-togethers talking after the Eid prayer. Thankfully, here i and my friends from Indonesia who were on RMUTT met with Muslim, a first year student at Eastern Asia University who is also a muslim. Muslim invited us to join with him and his friends at Muslim Club Eastern Asia University doing Eid al-Adha prayers at Ayala Islam mosque in Ban Chang Pathum Thani area.

The trip to the Ayala Islam mosque ranges from 3 to 4 hours. to avoid traffic jams, we finally left at the night before Eid al-Adha. We went by bus with two stops and then picked up by car belonging to one of the Muslim people in Ban Chang. when arrived at the location, we were welcome to rest in one of the house residents. Here, the next morning, i heard the sound of the Takbir in the morning. It is a happy thing for us the muslims who live in a country with Islam as a minority religion. After Eid al-Adha prayer, we were welcome to join with the people around Ayala Islam mosque which held a meal together. They were very friendly Thai Muslims, we were given a lot of advice and motivation as a person who is struggling in education. Like those who have the spirit to benefit others. Although only 7 Muslim families live in the area, but their spirit is awesome.

Finally, a trip for Eid prayers and two months stay in Thailand gave me a lot of experience. Muslims here can live side by side with non-Muslim majority of Thai citizens. And my first assumption that I would be an “alien” in Thailand was wrong. The Thai citizens both they are muslim or not muslim very uphold tolerance.

Reference :

https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_di_Thailand