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

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Deradicalization
• communication model
• da'wah
• Jama’ah Tabligh
• South Thailand

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Amphe Banang Sta is the Amphe or district directly adjacent to Amphe Jaha. While Kampung Benne Kue is a village directly adjacent to Kampung Kejar, the location for the author's observation participants for 18 days. Between the two villages is only limited by one hill. It is estimated that from Kejar Village to Benne Kue it can be taken two hours or an hour and a half journey (on foot) through the hill.

2 Ta'lim is the process of transmitting knowledge related to Islamic teachings to individuals without any limitations and certain conditions. Dhikr means calling and saying the name of Alloh with the tongue (verbal) or the heart. Munfarid is the implementation of prayer (sholat) that is done alone.

3 Interview with Farid, Jamal, dan Ahmad (three members of Jama’ah Tablig Non Chi), on Juli 20, 2016 in Non Chi, Patani, South Thailand.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Asep Achmad Hidayat

Asep Achmad Hidayat is a lecturer and researcher at the Master's Study Program in the History of Islamic Civilization. His studies are on the History of Islamic Civilization, the History of Indonesian Culture, and the History of Islamic Boarding Schools.

Catur Nugroho

Catur Nugroho is a lecturer at Magister of Communication Science, Telkom University. Executive Director of Data Politik Indonesia. His studies are on Media and Cultural Studies, Political Economy of Media, and Cyber Society. He wrote books on Cyber Society; Teknologi, Media Baru dan Disrupsi Informasi (Kencana Prenada Media, 2020), Medianomics; Ekonomi Politik Media di Era Digital (Kencana Prenada Media, 2023).

Soni Sadono

Soni Sadono is a lecturer in the Fine Arts study program, Faculty of Creative Industries, Telkom University. His studies focus on Indonesian Cultural History and World Cultural History.

M. Nastain

M. Nastain is a lecturer at the Faculty of Communication and Multimedia, Mercubuana University, Yogyakarta. His studies are on political communication and Islamic politics in Indonesia.