Thailand is usually closely associated with Buddhism; but since 1998 the country has been one of the observer members of the Islamic Conference Organization; and senior figures in the present and previous governments have been Muslim. Some 8 percent of the population is Muslim; and in the three southernmost provinces of the country they constitute a majority. Islam is ever more visible in Bangkok; where the demographic increase of Muslims is marked.Michel Gilquin; a sociologist specializing in the study of Muslim societies and a resident of Morocco; examines the origins of Islam in the kingdom of Siam; Muslim integration into the Thai nation; and the effects of globalization and modernity on a mostly traditional and rural community. In particular he considers the weight of history of the old sultanate of Patani on the present-day Yawi-speaking majority in Narathiwat; Yala; and Pattani; and the circumstances leading to "the troubles" which erupted in 2004 and which; alas; continue.Without proposing any solutions; the book explains the background to the present impasse; and considers how far integration of the minority has been; and can be; successful.
#7174416 in Books 1999-12Original language:Finnish #File Name: 9519750622160 pages
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