Imams In Pattani To Be Equipped With Knowledge On Cross-border Marriage

From Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

PATTANI, June 12 (Bernama) -- Imams in the Pattani region of southern Thailand will be equipped with knowledge related to Islamic law, particularly marriage, to ensure they are proficient with cross-border marriage issues occurring in the area.

Governor of Pattani, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu, said this was due to the fact that the southern Thailand province had been the preferred destination for cross-border marriage without permission for many Muslim couples, including from Malaysia.

“As such, I want young imams in Pattani to be exposed to marriage law in Islam so that they know what is allowed and what is not,” she told reporters during the Official Visit of Ambassadors of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member Countries to southern Thailand.

With such knowledge, she said the young imams in Pattani will know the intricacies of documentation between the two countries involved in cases of cross-border marriage without permission, and will not have a 'shallow' understanding of the matter.

“Although Thailand and Malaysia have different marriage laws, from Syariah perspective, they are actually the same and there are no issues. 

“It’s just that we don’t want the couples to marry without cross-border permission and jeopardising the welfare of their future children, which would lead to more difficulties later,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pateemoh, who is the first female Muslim Governor of Pattani, said it was also high time for the young imams in Pattani to take over the roles played by the older generation.

In this regard, she said the Thai government plans to send young imams from Pattani to Malaysia, particularly in Kelantan, to deepen their knowledge of Islamic religious affairs, and that the matter will be discussed with the Kelantan Islamic Religious Council (MAIK).

“I see that the young imams in Kelantan have extensive experience in Islamic affairs and law, and if MAIK agrees, they will go to Kelantan this August.

“The Thai and the Kelantan governments have a very close relationship, so if there are issues involving Islam, we will discuss and exchange views,” she said, adding that efforts are being made to identify young imams in Pattani for the programme in Kelantan.

A delegation of 12 ambassadors from Muslim countries is on a three-day visit to the southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. These ambassadors are from eight countries, namely Brunei, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

-- BERNAMA