Nur-Al-Iman Islamic Mosque community and The Construction of Muslim Community in the Pluralistic Society of Isan

Abstract

The purposes of this qualitative research article were to study the construction of Muslim community in the pluralistic society of Isan, and to study the interaction between Thai-Isan Muslim community and other cultural groups in the region. The study focused on the Nur-Al-Iman Islamic Mosque community in Rangang sub-district, Srikhoraphoom district, Surin province.  The findings were as follows.The Muslim community construction in the pluralistic society of Isan has been carried out by several important mechanisms. The first mechanism is the construction of common values and faith, which is duly done through Islamic principles, Mosque’s roles and those of cemetery or Qubur. This mechanism brought Muslims together based on common faith.  The second mechanism is the creation of Muslim identity. Muslim identity is constructed through physical appearing. The last Muslim community construction mechanism is to maintain and strengthen the community.  With regard to Muslim interrelations with non-Muslim communities, the study found three types of interrelations: 1) economic relation 2) political relation 3) social, religious, and cultural relations.  There is, however, a distance between Muslim communities and other non-Muslim communities mostly occurs from religious issues. Nevertheless, the relationship between Muslim communities and other non-Muslim communities are maintained by mutual respect, acceptance and assistance, familiarization, kinship, compromise, political toleration, use of common languages such as Thai and Dialects and the understanding of the boundaries and limitations of those with different faiths in the participation in religious and social activities.