Word: malays
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Rashai described how the people of the southern provinces of Narathivas, Yala, and Pattani are not only Muslim, but also of Malay ethnic stock who speak Malaysian dialect rather than Thai. "Not only do they consider themselves to be Malay, but the Thai government reinforces that feeling by appointing Thai Buddhists from Bangkok who can't speak Malay, which increases the feeling of domination...
Rashai's feelings are appreciated by the Thai government which now forces all the officials appointed to the south to undergo a cultural sensitivity program in which they are taught Malay as well as Islamic culture and law. But after almost 200 years of Thai domination, such efforts may be both too little and too late...
...long-time American resident of the area described the traditional Thai policy toward the Muslims. "The Thais think that the way to make the Islamic Malay majority of the south good Thai citizens is to keep repressing them, and of course, it hasn't worked. Another cause for friction is the cultural insensitivity of the Thais, like erecting huge Buddha images in the centers of Muslim villages...
According to the Director General of the Thai Religious Affairs Department, plans have been started to translate the Koran into Thai so the residents of the south could study their scripture in the language of their country. The only problem is that Malay rather than Thai is their mother tongue, and all Muslims use Arabic rather than any vernacular when praying...
...after the Pontiff stepped out of his chartered Alitalia DC-8 into the bright sunshine at Manila airport. As Paul and Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos pushed through throngs of admirers, a crewcut man in gray clerical garb, holding a crucifix, rushed forward. Suddenly he slipped a foot-long Malay dagger out of his sleeve and lunged. Churchmen around the Pope blocked the assailant, and security men swiftly wrestled...