AhlulBayt News Agency: In order to introduce Shiite centers in the world, Ahlul Bayt International News Agency (ABNA) conducted an exclusive interview with the director of Dar Al-Zahra Center in Kong Ra district of Phatthalung province, in southern Thailand. The description of this conversation is as below:
ABNA: Thank you for giving your time to Ahlul Bayt News Agency. First, introduce yourself and tell about the activities of your center.
In the name of Allah the compassionate the merciful, Assalamu Alaykum va Rahmatullah va Barakatuh, I am Sheikh Ansar, the director of Dar Al-Zahra Institute in Thailand, and our center is active in southern Thailand under the name of In the Way of Humanity.
I am also Sheikh Yusuf, I work as a teacher in Dar Al-Zahra Mosque.
In the "Kong Ra" a district of Phatthalung province, southern Thailand, the Dar Al-Zahra center activate under the of Al-Khoei Institute and consists of two cultural and educational sections. The first part is Academic and Seminary but the mosque constructed by Shiite of the region.
We started our activity about 30 years ago. 30 years ago, there were no Shias in that area. Shiite Islam spread in the "Kong Ra" region, after the Islamic Revolution of Iran, with the conversion of a family to Shia Islam. 35 to 40 years ago, in the area were not any religious person like other areas of Thailand, and today all the residents of the area have become Shia.
We established a mosque called Dar Al-Zahra Masjid, which is officially registered. Also, we perform Friday prayers under the supervision of Sheikh Al-Islam's bureau, and in every Friday Prayer over 300 people attend it. In Dar Al-Zahra Mosque, we perform three times of congregational prayers, which are attended by a large number of people.
ABNA: Thank you for giving your time to Ahlul Bayt News Agency. First, introduce yourself and tell about the activities of your center.
In the name of Allah the compassionate the merciful, Assalamu Alaykum va Rahmatullah va Barakatuh, I am Sheikh Ansar, the director of Dar Al-Zahra Institute in Thailand, and our center is active in southern Thailand under the name of In the Way of Humanity.
I am also Sheikh Yusuf, I work as a teacher in Dar Al-Zahra Mosque.
In the "Kong Ra" a district of Phatthalung province, southern Thailand, the Dar Al-Zahra center activate under the of Al-Khoei Institute and consists of two cultural and educational sections. The first part is Academic and Seminary but the mosque constructed by Shiite of the region.
We started our activity about 30 years ago. 30 years ago, there were no Shias in that area. Shiite Islam spread in the "Kong Ra" region, after the Islamic Revolution of Iran, with the conversion of a family to Shia Islam. 35 to 40 years ago, in the area were not any religious person like other areas of Thailand, and today all the residents of the area have become Shia.
We established a mosque called Dar Al-Zahra Masjid, which is officially registered. Also, we perform Friday prayers under the supervision of Sheikh Al-Islam's bureau, and in every Friday Prayer over 300 people attend it. In Dar Al-Zahra Mosque, we perform three times of congregational prayers, which are attended by a large number of people.
20 years ago, apart from the mosque, we launched a school where students
get to know Islam and Shiite school of thoughts.
We started our work with a few students, and Alhamdulillah, today it has developed into an academic school and over 100 people study in it. This school has a dormitory, students from all over Thailand study in this school, get a diploma and go to different universities in Thailand.
Of course, a small number of them travel to Qom to study religious courses. Also, some of our students are present at Ayatollah Taskhiri's school of Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in Tehran.
This school was established with the blessing of the Al-Khoei Institute, which is academic and seminary, but the mosque was built by the Shiites of the region.
We started our work with a few students, and Alhamdulillah, today it has developed into an academic school and over 100 people study in it. This school has a dormitory, students from all over Thailand study in this school, get a diploma and go to different universities in Thailand.
Of course, a small number of them travel to Qom to study religious courses. Also, some of our students are present at Ayatollah Taskhiri's school of Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought in Tehran.
This school was established with the blessing of the Al-Khoei Institute, which is academic and seminary, but the mosque was built by the Shiites of the region.
ABNA: Please explain political or cultural activities of your center:
We have several programs in our institution. We hold a Quran teaching program for the public. In the last few years, due to the Corona epidemic, people could not physically participate in the program, so we held online classes, and today we hold 8 online classes. We have about 180 students and two Quran classes are special for Sunni brothers.
We also hold 6 classes for Shiites. For Quranic teaching, several mosques are under the supervision of Al-Zahra Institute. For several years, we have been holding classes in Quran classes, from reciting and Tajweed, to interpreting the meanings of this holy book.
On the other hand, we take the youth to camp. In Thailand, there is a festival called the Water Festival, which is a Buddhist tradition where people and young people come to the streets and sprinkle water on each other. In contrast, we have been organizing a youth camp called the Karbala route for thirty years so that our young people be away influenced by Buddhist culture.
Alhamdulillah, we have been organizing this camp for about 34 years, and every year about 400 to 500 university students gather in the camp for about 1 week and we teach them Islamic knowledge and thoughts.
We are proud that we became Muslim and now are Shiites. Participants learn Islamic knowledge during a week together. So far, there has been a lot of acceptance from the youth, and this year we held this camp as well.
Of course, in addition to Shiites, Sunni brothers also participate in the camp.
ABNA: What is the percentage of Shia population in Thailand and what about their level of education?
Muslims make up 10% of Thailand's population, but unfortunately, we do not have accurate statistics of Shiite population. During the 20 years that Dar Al-Zahra School was established, several of our students have completed the university course; a number of our graduates are doctors who work in some parts of the country and society. Also, in the academic department, we have professors and graduates who help us. On the other hand, the students who studied in Qom and return to the country, join us in the education and teaching.
Also, our friends are active in sports and we have some medals in boxing and football.
We have several programs in our institution. We hold a Quran teaching program for the public. In the last few years, due to the Corona epidemic, people could not physically participate in the program, so we held online classes, and today we hold 8 online classes. We have about 180 students and two Quran classes are special for Sunni brothers.
We also hold 6 classes for Shiites. For Quranic teaching, several mosques are under the supervision of Al-Zahra Institute. For several years, we have been holding classes in Quran classes, from reciting and Tajweed, to interpreting the meanings of this holy book.
On the other hand, we take the youth to camp. In Thailand, there is a festival called the Water Festival, which is a Buddhist tradition where people and young people come to the streets and sprinkle water on each other. In contrast, we have been organizing a youth camp called the Karbala route for thirty years so that our young people be away influenced by Buddhist culture.
Alhamdulillah, we have been organizing this camp for about 34 years, and every year about 400 to 500 university students gather in the camp for about 1 week and we teach them Islamic knowledge and thoughts.
We are proud that we became Muslim and now are Shiites. Participants learn Islamic knowledge during a week together. So far, there has been a lot of acceptance from the youth, and this year we held this camp as well.
Of course, in addition to Shiites, Sunni brothers also participate in the camp.
ABNA: What is the percentage of Shia population in Thailand and what about their level of education?
Muslims make up 10% of Thailand's population, but unfortunately, we do not have accurate statistics of Shiite population. During the 20 years that Dar Al-Zahra School was established, several of our students have completed the university course; a number of our graduates are doctors who work in some parts of the country and society. Also, in the academic department, we have professors and graduates who help us. On the other hand, the students who studied in Qom and return to the country, join us in the education and teaching.
Also, our friends are active in sports and we have some medals in boxing and football.
ABNA: Tell us about your religious ceremonies during the martyrdoms and births of holy Imams (A).
We have verious programs in our center on religious events. On the ouspicious birth of the holy Prophet (PBUH), we held a seminar with the presence of Buddhist, Christian and Sunni clerics to say that the "Prophet (PBUH) as a Mercy for all the worlds".
Alhamdulillah, the seminar was held with the magnificent participation of religious leaders. Of course, we hold this program every year on the birth of the Prophet (PBUH).
We also have a program for the international Quds Day and Defense of the Oppressed, in which Sunni scholars also participate. Or we named the days of Fitimiyah (martyrdom of Sayyida Ftimah Al-Zahra) as women's day and we do various activities.
Also, every year on the day of Eid al-Adha, we distribute sacrificial meat to at least 300 needy Shia and Sunni families for 10 days.
We have verious programs in our center on religious events. On the ouspicious birth of the holy Prophet (PBUH), we held a seminar with the presence of Buddhist, Christian and Sunni clerics to say that the "Prophet (PBUH) as a Mercy for all the worlds".
Alhamdulillah, the seminar was held with the magnificent participation of religious leaders. Of course, we hold this program every year on the birth of the Prophet (PBUH).
We also have a program for the international Quds Day and Defense of the Oppressed, in which Sunni scholars also participate. Or we named the days of Fitimiyah (martyrdom of Sayyida Ftimah Al-Zahra) as women's day and we do various activities.
Also, every year on the day of Eid al-Adha, we distribute sacrificial meat to at least 300 needy Shia and Sunni families for 10 days.
In our region, Sunnis,
Shias and Buddhists live together in a friendly manner and the number of
Shias is increasing every day. According to Imam Al-Sadiq, peace be
upon him, if we are the adornment of the Ahl ul-Bayt (A) and introduce
the Ahl ul-Bayt (A) to others, they will come to us.
During these 30 years, the hadith of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) is true in our region because about 500 families became Shiite Muslims, we even have Shi'ites from government officials, and are growing culturally, economically, and socially.
ABNA: Tell us about the impact of Imam Khomeini's movement on the Muslim people of Thailand.
After the Islamic Revolution of Iran, every Muslim, both Shiite and Sunni, in southern Thailand had installed a picture of Imam Khomeini in his house. Even Muslims in Malaysia had done this. The people of Southeast Asia know Imam Khomeini as a great personality and many people became Shia after Imam Khomeini's movement. Unfortunately, in the last few years, the Wahhabis, who saw that Shia Islam is progressing, planned to counter it.
Wahhabis today have 4 satellites and many social media networks. Every day, 24 hours a day, they preach against the Imam Khomeini, the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Shia Muslims; they claim that Imam Khomeini is only for Iran. So people listen to these negative advertisements and gradually go towards them. War is not only with guns, nowadays war is in the field of media and social media. Mobile phones are in the hands of young people and Wahhabis are active in the media.
Imam Khomeini's thinking and views are very important for the Islamic society; the enemy understands this, so they make obstackle and seeks to destroy the Imam's point of view. Unfortunately, some people do not understand and do not have a good understanding. Therefore, in Southeast Asia, we must go forward in a good way and manner.
During these 30 years, the hadith of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) is true in our region because about 500 families became Shiite Muslims, we even have Shi'ites from government officials, and are growing culturally, economically, and socially.
ABNA: Tell us about the impact of Imam Khomeini's movement on the Muslim people of Thailand.
After the Islamic Revolution of Iran, every Muslim, both Shiite and Sunni, in southern Thailand had installed a picture of Imam Khomeini in his house. Even Muslims in Malaysia had done this. The people of Southeast Asia know Imam Khomeini as a great personality and many people became Shia after Imam Khomeini's movement. Unfortunately, in the last few years, the Wahhabis, who saw that Shia Islam is progressing, planned to counter it.
Wahhabis today have 4 satellites and many social media networks. Every day, 24 hours a day, they preach against the Imam Khomeini, the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Shia Muslims; they claim that Imam Khomeini is only for Iran. So people listen to these negative advertisements and gradually go towards them. War is not only with guns, nowadays war is in the field of media and social media. Mobile phones are in the hands of young people and Wahhabis are active in the media.
Imam Khomeini's thinking and views are very important for the Islamic society; the enemy understands this, so they make obstackle and seeks to destroy the Imam's point of view. Unfortunately, some people do not understand and do not have a good understanding. Therefore, in Southeast Asia, we must go forward in a good way and manner.
Two years ago, on
the World Quds Day, we held a big conference in which about 20 Imams of
Sunni mosques were present. I made a condition that we should only carry
the Palestinian flag this year.
Some people complained to me that it is not possible to not have a picture of the Imam on Quds Day! I said that 30 years ago, Imam named the last Friday of Ramadan month as Quds Day. Now, in their propaganda, the Wahhabis say that Quds Day is for Iranians and Iranian embassy pays for the Quds Day.
They say this is not a day for Muslims, because the participants carry a picture of Imam Khomeini. Today, most of the participants at the World Quds Day in Thailand are Shiite Muslims, but if it is propagated in the right way, Sunnis will also be present in the procession on the Quds Day, and by this work, Islamic Unity will be fulfilled.
Everyone knows that the founder of Quds Day was Imam Khomeini, but we must go forward in the right way so Wahhabis can’t abuse it. After all, we don't have a satellite, but they have 4 satellite channels.
We need articles; The Ahlul Bayt World Assembly has many Islamic and Shia contents but is not translated into Thai. If we work more in social media, the situation of the society will change.
ABNA: What is the view of Shi'ites in Thailand regarding the axis of resistance and specially Martyr Soleimani and Lebanon's Hezbollah?
Some people complained to me that it is not possible to not have a picture of the Imam on Quds Day! I said that 30 years ago, Imam named the last Friday of Ramadan month as Quds Day. Now, in their propaganda, the Wahhabis say that Quds Day is for Iranians and Iranian embassy pays for the Quds Day.
They say this is not a day for Muslims, because the participants carry a picture of Imam Khomeini. Today, most of the participants at the World Quds Day in Thailand are Shiite Muslims, but if it is propagated in the right way, Sunnis will also be present in the procession on the Quds Day, and by this work, Islamic Unity will be fulfilled.
Everyone knows that the founder of Quds Day was Imam Khomeini, but we must go forward in the right way so Wahhabis can’t abuse it. After all, we don't have a satellite, but they have 4 satellite channels.
We need articles; The Ahlul Bayt World Assembly has many Islamic and Shia contents but is not translated into Thai. If we work more in social media, the situation of the society will change.
ABNA: What is the view of Shi'ites in Thailand regarding the axis of resistance and specially Martyr Soleimani and Lebanon's Hezbollah?
Lebanon's Hezbollah is strong and has
worked in cultural, economic, social and educational fields; they even
work in kindergartens. They are also strong in terms of thought and
thinking. After the defeat of the Arabs against Israeli occupation
regime, the Shi'ites of Thailand thought that it was impossible to
defeat Israel and stand against them, but Hezbollah proved that this
thinking was wrong and changed the mentality of the people. I think
changing people's mentality is a great work.
ABNA: How is the presence of Thai Shiites in scientific conferences and universities and scientific centers?
Several Thai students work in the universities of Thailand. Also, some of our friends cooperate with some universities in Thailand.
About two years ago, we found a painting and artwork about Ashura mourning in a Buddhist temple. This painting was created by the order of the king of that era and was painted on the wall of the temple. Only Buddhists are allowed to enter this temple. This painting was about 400 years ago and was recorded in the ancient works of Thailand under the name of Imam Hussain's Ashura ceremony.
ABNA: How is the presence of Thai Shiites in scientific conferences and universities and scientific centers?
Several Thai students work in the universities of Thailand. Also, some of our friends cooperate with some universities in Thailand.
About two years ago, we found a painting and artwork about Ashura mourning in a Buddhist temple. This painting was created by the order of the king of that era and was painted on the wall of the temple. Only Buddhists are allowed to enter this temple. This painting was about 400 years ago and was recorded in the ancient works of Thailand under the name of Imam Hussain's Ashura ceremony.
After discovering this image, we held two
seminars to introduce Imam Hussain (A) in the university. We interviewed
the person in charge of Thailand's cultural heritage about this, and he
gave a good explanation about Imam Hussain (A) and said that Imam
Hussain descendant of Prophet and his companions were killed in the land
of Karbala and sacrificed themselves to defend oppressed. In these two
seminars, we introduced Imam Hussein (A) well among the Buddhists, and
we decided to take this painting to the shrine of Imam Hussein (A).
ABNA: How much are your activities in the social media in promoting the school of Ahlul Bayt (A)? Do you basically use social media?
We have a page on Facebook called "Ahl al-Bayt TV" where we introduce Islam, Ahl al-Bayt and Shi'ites with short films, and these films welcomed very well. We even broadcast religious ceremonies directly from this page. We have a website called Mubahilah, which we have translated and included about 800 articles. Also we write articles and notes on the other site, which has a lot of visitors and has sections on opinions, history, rulings, morals and speech of the holy Imams. Of course, we get most of the articles from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.
ABNA: Does your center has any cultural products such as publishing books or magazines?
I translated and published the book "Selected Mufatih al-Jinan" with cooperation of friends. Also, we translated and published some other books such as Great Sins (by martyr Ayatullah Dastghaib Shirazi). On the other hand, we published books on the subject of "Theological Instructions (Usul and Kalam)" for schools from primary to sixth grade. We translated and published the book "A guide to religious laws" for secondary level authored by Sheikh Fallahzadeh, the book of 14 Masum history and some other ethics books.
ABNA: What are the activities of your center for children and youth?
For several years, we have been holding sessions on Quran, rulings and Islamic issues for young people on Saturdays and Sundays, because these two days are official holidays in Thailand. For young people and pre-university level, we hold classes on Quran, rulings and beliefs in the mosque.
ABNA: Which of your activities have the most impact?
Our most effective program is for the youth generation because their hearts and souls are more ready than others.
ABNA: How are the relationship of youths with religion and religious authorities?
Alhamdulillah, we have been able to keep the youth in a religious environment. Our enemies are looking for young people in universities and they are very active. Our youths study in Dar Al-Zahra institute for 6 years; we have taught them to work hard and study as much as possible. We have a lot of Shia youth in the center, but we don't have any Shia association for the youth in the universities, while the Wahhabis have a lot of programs for the youths in the universities on Fridays and Saturdays.
ABNA: How is the interaction and cooperation of the government with your center?
If we have a general view on Thailand, it has a free government and does not disturb anyone. For example, the government did not prevent the Shia mosque and academic school that we set up. The government even pays half of our budget and does not care what books we teach in our collection. The government only says that according to the law, government books should also be teached. Malaysia, which is a Muslim country, but Shiites cannot establish a Shiite school. A few years ago, about 30 people came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and studied in our center.
In Myanmar, girls are not allowed and given the opportunity to be educated; Girls in Cambodia and Vietnam have the same problem. I suggested to Iranian officilas about 20 years ago that Iran could set up an international school in South Asia so that students from Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam could study there, but nothing has been done so far. An international license can be obtained for this school in Thailand and it can easily operate without any problems.
So does not have any problem with government?
No, we have not any problem with the government and authorities. We invite government officials personally, we have no problems with them and we have a good relationship.
ABNA: How many mosques and Hussainiya do you have?
In the south of Thailand, we have 10 mosques and 15 Hussainiyas. Also, the Shiites have several Hussainiyas in Bangkok.
ABNA: How do Buddhists in Thailand interact with you?
90% of Thailand's population is Buddhist and about 10% of the country is Muslim. Buddhists have a positive view of Shi'ites. Because they saw that the followers of Ahlul Bayt (A) live peacefully and interact with others easily, but some religions are not like that, they have extremism, so they cannot communicate and live with others.
ABNA: How is the activity of Wahhabis in your region and how much influence do they have on the society?
Wahhabis work very seriously. They have different programs in Thailand. In Thailand, each mosque has one vote, and the Wahhabis build small mosques every month to increase their votes, so I think that in the next few years, Sheikh ul Islam of Thailand will become a Wahhabi. Wahhabism has a lot of influence in Thai society and if they work more, a dangerous future awaits for Thai Muslims. Wahhabis are also active in social media and have many scientific and educational centers and mosques under construction.
The Saudis spend a lot to attract Thai youth. A Wahhabi has reported to the Saudi government that we active next to the Dar al-Zahra center in Thailand and if you do not support us, all areas will become Shia, so the Saudi government filed a case and established two mosques next to us. All their activities are openly supported by Haramain Institute. The Wahhabis have set up a big school 3 kilometers away from us and are trying to attract Shias as much as possible. They say that if you come to us, we will pay your family. They have about 500 students and Haramain Institute in Makkah supports them. If we were not on the right path, the Shiites would have disappeared by now.
ABNA: What are your expectations from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and Ahlul Bayt news agency regarding interaction and mutual cooperation?
Our expectation is intellectual and religious support in the region in the fields of social media, essay writing and translation. There is a large Muslim population in Southeast Asia and we need long-term planning. In our center, there are about 15 graduates of Al-Mustafa community who can cooperate with you in the field of news and various fields.
ABNA: How is the relationship of people and Shi'ites with Iran?
The view of Thai people towards Iran is positive and they consider Iran to be the pride of Muslims and Shias, which is strong among Islamic world and stands against America.
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ABNA: How much are your activities in the social media in promoting the school of Ahlul Bayt (A)? Do you basically use social media?
We have a page on Facebook called "Ahl al-Bayt TV" where we introduce Islam, Ahl al-Bayt and Shi'ites with short films, and these films welcomed very well. We even broadcast religious ceremonies directly from this page. We have a website called Mubahilah, which we have translated and included about 800 articles. Also we write articles and notes on the other site, which has a lot of visitors and has sections on opinions, history, rulings, morals and speech of the holy Imams. Of course, we get most of the articles from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.
ABNA: Does your center has any cultural products such as publishing books or magazines?
I translated and published the book "Selected Mufatih al-Jinan" with cooperation of friends. Also, we translated and published some other books such as Great Sins (by martyr Ayatullah Dastghaib Shirazi). On the other hand, we published books on the subject of "Theological Instructions (Usul and Kalam)" for schools from primary to sixth grade. We translated and published the book "A guide to religious laws" for secondary level authored by Sheikh Fallahzadeh, the book of 14 Masum history and some other ethics books.
ABNA: What are the activities of your center for children and youth?
For several years, we have been holding sessions on Quran, rulings and Islamic issues for young people on Saturdays and Sundays, because these two days are official holidays in Thailand. For young people and pre-university level, we hold classes on Quran, rulings and beliefs in the mosque.
ABNA: Which of your activities have the most impact?
Our most effective program is for the youth generation because their hearts and souls are more ready than others.
ABNA: How are the relationship of youths with religion and religious authorities?
Alhamdulillah, we have been able to keep the youth in a religious environment. Our enemies are looking for young people in universities and they are very active. Our youths study in Dar Al-Zahra institute for 6 years; we have taught them to work hard and study as much as possible. We have a lot of Shia youth in the center, but we don't have any Shia association for the youth in the universities, while the Wahhabis have a lot of programs for the youths in the universities on Fridays and Saturdays.
ABNA: How is the interaction and cooperation of the government with your center?
If we have a general view on Thailand, it has a free government and does not disturb anyone. For example, the government did not prevent the Shia mosque and academic school that we set up. The government even pays half of our budget and does not care what books we teach in our collection. The government only says that according to the law, government books should also be teached. Malaysia, which is a Muslim country, but Shiites cannot establish a Shiite school. A few years ago, about 30 people came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and studied in our center.
In Myanmar, girls are not allowed and given the opportunity to be educated; Girls in Cambodia and Vietnam have the same problem. I suggested to Iranian officilas about 20 years ago that Iran could set up an international school in South Asia so that students from Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam could study there, but nothing has been done so far. An international license can be obtained for this school in Thailand and it can easily operate without any problems.
So does not have any problem with government?
No, we have not any problem with the government and authorities. We invite government officials personally, we have no problems with them and we have a good relationship.
ABNA: How many mosques and Hussainiya do you have?
In the south of Thailand, we have 10 mosques and 15 Hussainiyas. Also, the Shiites have several Hussainiyas in Bangkok.
ABNA: How do Buddhists in Thailand interact with you?
90% of Thailand's population is Buddhist and about 10% of the country is Muslim. Buddhists have a positive view of Shi'ites. Because they saw that the followers of Ahlul Bayt (A) live peacefully and interact with others easily, but some religions are not like that, they have extremism, so they cannot communicate and live with others.
ABNA: How is the activity of Wahhabis in your region and how much influence do they have on the society?
Wahhabis work very seriously. They have different programs in Thailand. In Thailand, each mosque has one vote, and the Wahhabis build small mosques every month to increase their votes, so I think that in the next few years, Sheikh ul Islam of Thailand will become a Wahhabi. Wahhabism has a lot of influence in Thai society and if they work more, a dangerous future awaits for Thai Muslims. Wahhabis are also active in social media and have many scientific and educational centers and mosques under construction.
The Saudis spend a lot to attract Thai youth. A Wahhabi has reported to the Saudi government that we active next to the Dar al-Zahra center in Thailand and if you do not support us, all areas will become Shia, so the Saudi government filed a case and established two mosques next to us. All their activities are openly supported by Haramain Institute. The Wahhabis have set up a big school 3 kilometers away from us and are trying to attract Shias as much as possible. They say that if you come to us, we will pay your family. They have about 500 students and Haramain Institute in Makkah supports them. If we were not on the right path, the Shiites would have disappeared by now.
ABNA: What are your expectations from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and Ahlul Bayt news agency regarding interaction and mutual cooperation?
Our expectation is intellectual and religious support in the region in the fields of social media, essay writing and translation. There is a large Muslim population in Southeast Asia and we need long-term planning. In our center, there are about 15 graduates of Al-Mustafa community who can cooperate with you in the field of news and various fields.
ABNA: How is the relationship of people and Shi'ites with Iran?
The view of Thai people towards Iran is positive and they consider Iran to be the pride of Muslims and Shias, which is strong among Islamic world and stands against America.
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