The abbot of a temple in Narathiwat along with locals donated money Sunday to fund the purchase of land used for Islamic religious purposes.
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Deep South abbot leads drive to donate holy land to local Muslims
Waedao Harai
The abbot of a temple in Narathiwat along with locals donated money Sunday to fund the purchase of waqf – charitable land used for Islamic religious purposes – to foster better relations between the different religions in the area.
Phra Thepsilwisudh, the abbot of Wat Prachum Cholthara in Sungai Padi district, led a donation drive to fund the waqf at Masjid (mosque) Nurul Islam in Ban Ai Ku Bu in Moo 1, tambon Sungai Padi.
Although yet to be counted, the money will also be spent on the construction of unfinished mosques in the provinces.
It is hoped that mutual efforts of support such as this one will set a precedent and help to bridge divisions in the restive southern provinces where extremism on both sides is a problem and has underlined many years of violence.
The charity drive was attended by a number of Buddhist and Islamic locals as well as Buddhist monks and imams (local Islamic religious leaders) despite heavy rain at the mosque.
Phra Thepsilwisudh, also the chief Buddhist monk of Narathiwat, said he hoped the endowment would contribute to a multi-cultural society in the province.
In Sungai Padi district, Phra Thepsilwisudh is well known for his work performing as an intermediary to enhance communication between the two religions.
The abbot has also often helped settle disputes between authorities and residents of different faiths.
