Islamic leaders back Thai government’s southern strategies

BANGKOK, March 15 (TNA) - Islamic leaders announced Thursday that they are ready to cooperate and support the Thai government’s strategic policies in the country's insurgency-plagued southernmost region. Chairperson of the Islamic Committee in Pattani province Vaedueramea Mamingji voiced the goodwill gesture, after leading representatives of provincial Islamic committees in three southern Thai border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani to meet Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa at Bangkok's Government House on Thursday. The group acknowledged that the Thai government has been initially seen on the right track in implementing its strategic policies to address problems in the deep South, as they appear to be in line with local people's demand. The group, however, called on the government to continue its non-violent policies in the troubled far South. Another Islamic leader, Abdul Aziz, meanwhile, told reporters that he has proposed the opening of Imam Universities and the development of the halal food industry in the Muslim-predominated deep South, which is believed to be an effective way to restore peace in the region. (TNA)