|
Thai Muslims Say U.S. Retaliation Unjust
JAKARTA, Oct 9 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Thailand's Muslims, in the majority, are opposed to U.S. military strikes against Afghanistan, reports from Bangkok said Tuesday.
Thai authorities fear there might be violent protest in the country if casualties among Afghan Muslims run high.
For the moment, Thai Muslims have adopted a low profile, but emotions are running high.
Their opposition to U.S. military strikes against Afghanistan, which entered another phase with day attacks against civilian and military targets, is contrary to the official stance of the Thai government.
Thailand's premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, has made public his appreciation of the start of the attacks against the Afghans. His comments have caused uneasiness among Muslims who question why Thailand would support such acts by the U.S.
Muslims in the majority Buddhist nation are known for their strong support for conservative causes and have been waging a campaign for independence in southern Thailand.
A large section of Muslims in Pattani, in southern Thailand, believe the U.S. is not attacking Afghanistan in a hunt for Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden, the prime U.S. suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
"They aim at toppling the Taliban regime. This is not their jurisdiction. This war is going too far," said a pro-bin Laden supporter to IslamOnline.
Muslims in Thailand said they believe there should be a jihad (struggle) against those who aggress against the Taliban.
Thai authorities said they are ready to contain any demonstrations against the U.S. in the coming days as it has become clear there will be more civilian deaths in the strikes against the poverty-stricken nation.
In Pattani, however, there is no certainty that police or patrols could contain angry crowds. The influence of the independence movements still operating in Pattani cannot be dismissed.
There could be violent protests followed by attacks against tourists of U.S. or British origin, as well as against establishments of U.S. ownership in the region, sources said.
The events Tuesday in Indonesia were closely followed on the Internet, or the audiovisual media, in Pattani. Young Thai's, wearing T-Shirts with bin Laden's effigies feel they have a right to protest as well.
Nimu Maka-jeh, vice-chairman of the Yala Islamic Committee, said Thai Muslims strongly resented the U.S. strikes. It was unlikely, however, they would resort to violent protests because most of them loved peace, he said.
Yala is situated in the southern Thailand province of Narathiwat, which forms part of Pattani. Thai students at a Yala university say they believe bin Laden is a Muslim leader, a hero and
mujahideen (fighter).
They say he quoted the struggle of the Pattani people in one of his fatwa's (edicts) showing that bin Laden is concerned with the fate of Muslims worldwide.
Authorities in southern Thailand are concerned that if the central government does not manage public opinion, there might be a resurgence that could fuel the drive for independence in Pattani.
The independence movements, including the Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO), has been severely crippled by the Thailand government which used the military, police and special forces to crush the movement.
With additional reporting by Kazi Mahmood
|
