Muslim Intellectuals in Thailand: Exercises in Reform and Moderation

Abstract:Muslim discourse in Thailand including sensationalist and essentialist conceptions have been circulating widely since the outbreak of violence in South Thailand in 2004. However, Islamic discourse in Thailand is heterogeneous. Islamic reform movements have been contesting the more militant forms of discourse for years. Various Muslim intellectuals operating in early and more contemporary forms of the public sphere have been effective leaders of these reformist campaigns and have had an enormous influence on the Muslim communities in Thailand.