Deradicalization communication model through preaching in the province of Yala South Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT The published literature offers no comprehensive discussion of deradicalization models based on Islamic da’wah imparted by religious organizations. Da'wah is the process of communicating messages related to Islamic teachings and ideologies to others with the intent to transform a person’s or a society’s unfavorable circumstances. This study takes a phenomenological approach to examine the deradicalization communication model of preaching practiced by the Jama’ah Tabligh in the regions of Yala, Southern Thailand. Qualitative analyses reveal that such da‘wah activities in Yala have implications for increased moderation in religiosity and tolerance. The Jama’ah’s preaching model has been more successful in deradicalization compared with the work of former radical movements. In short, da’wah by the Jama’ah is a model of indirect deradicalization in the South Thailand regions. The insights from this finding could help build models for deradicalization based on religious understanding and prevent the emergence of radicalism and terrorism among Muslim communities in Southeast Asia.