About
The
Central Islamic Council of Thailand
History
Overview
of Muslims in Thailand
Historically, politically and culturally Muslims have been an
integral part of Thailand for centuries. Islam is not only the second largest
religion in the kingdom but also enjoys the royal and official patronage. The
Thai law provides for freedom of religion, and the Royal Thai Government (RTG)
generally respects this right in practice. Thai Constitution promotes “equality
of rights and liberties” of the people, as seen in some following sections
Section 5. The Thai people, irrespective of their origins, sexes or religions,
shall enjoy equal protection under this Constitution.
Section
37. A person shall enjoy full liberty to profess a religion, a religious sect
or creed, and observe religious principles or religious precepts or exercise a
form of worship in accordance with his or her belief; provided that it is not
contrary to his or her civic duties, public order or good morals.
According
to the Act on the Application of Islamic Law in the Territorial Jurisdictions
of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun Provinces, B.E. 2489 (1946), the Islamic
Law on Family and Succession except the provisions on prescription in respect
of succession shall apply instead of the Civil and Commercial Code in giving a
judgment in civil cases concerning family and succession of Muslims.
At
present there are altogether around 3,900 mosques throughout the country and
180 of them are in Bangkok Metropolis. Some 600 Muslim schools offer secular as
well as religious instruction. All in all, Thailand's Muslims enjoy full state
support and are free to teach and practice their religion according to their
own tenets.
Estimates
by academics, and religious groups state that approximately 85 to 90 percent of
the population is Theravada Buddhist, and up to 9 or 10 percent of the
population is Muslim. In this atmosphere of openness, Thai society remains Thai
or “THAINESS” in its essence, one people living peacefully together with a
common objectives, no matter what religious beliefs they may hold.
Islamic
Affairs in Thailand
According to the Administration of Islamic Organization Act B.E. 2540 (A.D.
1997), His Majesty the King appoints a Sheikhul-Islam as the leader of the
Islamic affair in Thailand. Legally the Prime Minister submits the name of the
person who receive the approval from all provincial Islamic Committee
throughout the country to be Sheikhul-Islam to His Majesty the King for the
Royal Appointment as Sheikhul-Islam. The Sheikhul-Islam is the president of “
The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT)” with the committee which is
appointed by His Majesty the King from the 39 Provincial Islamic Council (PIC).
Other members of the CICOT are selected by the Sheikhul-Islam, of which the
member is one-third of the whole number of the representative of the provincial
council.
On
behalf of Regulation of the Central Islamic Council of Thailand of the
management of Halal Affairs B.E. 2558. By virtue of section 18(5 (9) of the
administration of Islamic organization Act B.E. 2540. The central Islamic
Council of Thailand has organized expenses which get from the fee of Halal
certification and is partly supported by the government. CICOT is non-profit
organization no any member related to Bank.
Timelines of Thailand’s Halal Affairs
1948 Thai government proposed the strategy towards
establishing Halal Food Hub in Southern region
1998 Ministry of Industry
adopted Codex Halal standard as Thailand’s Halal standard (Ref: General
guidelines for use of the term “Halal” of FAO 1997)
1999 ASEAN Nations set up a
Halal food guidelines for the member countries
2001 The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) set up
regulations for Halal certification / accreditation as common nation standard
for the whole country
2003 Thai government provided
the financial support in initiating the development of Halal - HACCP system Thai
government sponsored the establishment of The Halal Standard Institute of
Thailand under CICOT and establishment of The
Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
2009 CICOT issued Regulation of Halal Affair Management,
and set measure and quality control of Halal Products and the use of
Halal Logo
The
Central Islamic Council of Thailand
Established under the Administration of Islamic Organization Act B.E. 2540 (A.D. 1997)
Include
:
1. Sheikhul Islam of
Thailand, The Chairman of the board.
2. The boards which
are appointed from the provincial Islamic committee by the King. They are the
delegations of the provincial Islamic committee from 36 provinces by once a
province and the period is 6 years.
3. Other boards which are selected by Sheikhul Islam of Thailand are one-thirds of the number of delegations of the provincial Islamic committee and the period is 6 years.
The main activities and services are following :
1. Giving an advice to
government.
2. Issuing the
certification of Halal Products.
3. Documents
translation of English and Arabic.
4. Certification of
documents.
5. Certification of
marriage/divorce
6. Certification of
conversion to Islam.
7. Answering the
religions problems.
8. Propagation and
Promotion of Islam thru journal, radio, television, website, etc.
9. Diagnosing,
mediation/ judgement of the disputes between
organizations following by the law.
10. Public interest
and social responsibility.