PATTANI (Thailand) : Islamic leaders in southern Thailand said the visit by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) delegates will help with efforts for peace in the region.
Yala Islamic Religious Council assistant president Dr Ibrahim Yanya said apart from visiting the mosques and other sites of Islamic religious significance, the delegates would listen to problems faced by the community in the deep south.
"Every year, this OIC delegation will visit the central mosque here in order to listen to the reports related to peace affairs.
"Usually they advise us on matters in the community in order to avoid any dispute that could lead to unrest," he added.
Ibrahim said Muslim community leaders in the three southern provinces in Thailand will always accept the delegates advice with an open heart.
Meanwhile, Pattani Islamic Religious Council president Abdul Rahman Daud said besides the United Nations, the OIC played a role in resolving peace issues in many countries.
"Pattani is among those places where there are peace negotiations take place, and this is done by the OIC representatives," said Rahman.
He said such visits was a form of "encouragement" that are vital for Muslim community leaders in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
"We are also ready to share information with the government as well as its agencies including Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC)," said Rahman.
Ibrahim and Rahman were speaking to Malaysian reporters when met at Pattani central mosque after receiving the visit from the OIC delegates yesterday.
On Pattani's relationship with Kelantan, Rahman said their good co-operation began since the late former Kelantan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's time.
"We have been exchanging information on religious matters since Nik Aziz's tenure and it continues with the new menteri besar," he said.
Asked on the mosque's history, he said the 67-year-old Pattani central mosque was among the oldest in the province.
"The mosque not only attracted visitors but also has the support of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
"He (the king) will ask about projects related to the mosque and urge for them to be expedited," said Rahman.