Page 7 - ชาวไทยมุสลิมและการมีส่วนร่วมในกระบวนการพัฒนาเศรษฐกิจและสังคม การศึกษาภาคใต้ตอนล่าง

development planning processes, and it can also be used in the implementation of development
projects at the grass root level. On another front, behavioral restrictions from Islamic
precepts also generate opportunities. Products that adhere to Muslim production restrictions
can find ready markets in the Lower South, as well as in Muslim societies abroad.

Through a study of the Muslim socio-cultural characteristics and past development
constraints, a number of policy recommendations are put forward.

1. It is essential that government officials are given proper training on the Muslim
socio-cultural beliefs, and problems behind past development failures. Leaming of the local
language should be widely encouraged. More Muslims should also be encouraged to become
government officials. However, certain rules and regulations pertaining to behaviors of
government officials may need to be modified to accommodate adherence to strict Muslim
beliefs as a special case, such as dress codes, and involvement in official rituals, which are
often based on Buddhism. 1

2. More support should be given to education through religious schools (Tadika and
Pondok schools). This will ensure that education contents are consistent with Muslim beliefs.
Consideration should also be given to allow vocational education courses in Pondok schools
as special cases. Presently, the Ministry of Education is awaiting an evaluation of the
outcome of teaching the vocational curriculum in academic stream schools, but clearly the
case of the Pondok school should be iegarded as special.

3. The Muslim network should be used more as an information network to
disseminate appropriate health information and practice. Recently started projects to train
members of musjid committees so that each one can train more individuals, and these
individuals can in turn train others should be fully supported. Further, the Muslim community
can be used to play active roles in preventing and controlling the spread of aids and drug
addictions, especially the Muslim leaders can guide the community and help change values
which affects health.

4. As a way to encourage the development of Muslim entrepreneurs, serious
feasibility study of the setting up of Islamic banks should be carried out. The public sector
should also support and encourage Islamic cooperatives savings and loan schemes, which are
presently operating successfully in the area. Promotion of Muslim entrepreneurs will lead to
more economic activities in the region that do not operate contrary to Muslim principles. This
will help to make work outside the home, especially for women, less objectionable. However,
for many Muslims who still regard women's role as being in the home, the public sector
should widely encourage and support projects to bring manufacturing activities to the home
through some kind of Putting-Out systems.

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