OFFSTONE JUNE EDITION 2024

53 SPREAD OF ISLAM IN PATTANI, SOUTHERN THAILAND By: Ameen Jaesae, S.Sos., Dr. Ali Sati, M.Ag., Dr. Sholeh Fikri, M.Ag & Ega Putri Duana Manalu, S.Sos sholehfikri@uinsyahada.ac.id The writer is a lecturer in Da'wah Management and the Vice Dean for Cooperation and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences, Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary State Islamic University, Padangsidimpuan. ABSTRACT Muslims in Southern Thailand: Currently, Pattani is considered a minority entity that rarely attracts global attention. Although Islam had a minimal presence in Pattani, southern Thailand, significant efforts to spread the religion began in 1927 AD when a scholar named Haji Sulong bin Abdul Kadir, who had graduated from Makkah, undertook various initiatives to promote Islam. Introduction In the past, Pattani was a significant Islamic kingdom, but today its territory lies within Thailand. Muslims in Pattani continue to strive for their independence, akin to the Moro Muslims in the southern Philippines. They are Malays who preserve the Malay language and culture in their daily lives. Historically, the Islamic Kingdom of Pattani was once a prosperous and influential entity in Southeast Asia. However, after being ceded to Siam (now Thailand) in 1785 AD and further divided in 1816 AD, Pattani gradually lost its identity as a Malay state or independent country. The Siamese/Thai government has continuously sought to suppress Pattani through various means. The History In 1927 AD, a decision was made to invite a charismatic cleric, Haji Sulong bin Haji Abdul Kadir, a graduate of the holy city of Mecca, al-Mukarramah. He initially intended to stay for only two years to console his wife, who was deeply grieving the loss of their first child.