Raja Muda's goodwill visit to Southern Thailand boosts Muslim ties: Perlis Mufti

KANGAR: Perlis Raja Muda Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail's 'Mahabbah Visit' to the Andaman region from Jan 6 to 9 has strengthened ties between Muslims in Perlis and southern Thailand.
State Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who was in the Perlis delegation, said he received good feedback on this from the Islamic religious heads in southern Thailand who also praised Tuanku Syed Faizuddin's concern over the wellbeing of Muslims there.
While delivering a Maghrib lecture at Alwi Mosque here last night, Mohd Asri said he also found the goodwill visit to be two-pronged as the Perlis Crown Prince was also promoting Bahasa Melayu.
"The Muslims in the southern Thailand provinces used to speak the Malay language in their daily conversations but now the majority of their young generation speak little Bahasa Melayu.
"Through frequent visits and by also inviting them to visit Perlis including attending our forums and discussions, I am confident Bahasa Melayu usage in southern Thailand will grow," he said.
He added that the Mufti Department would be inviting Muslim leaders from there to visit Perlis in conjunction with the 'Sunnah Retreat' in April to share knowledge and thoughts in propagating Islamic teachings. — Bernama