AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Thailand’s Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset described the country’s Hajj pilgrims as ambassadors of peace and friendship.
In a message about the participation of pilgrims from Thailand in this year’s Hajj, Thaiset said the pilgrimage to Mecca provides an opportunity for pilgrims from different countries to learn about one another’ culture.
He also urged Thai pilgrims to tell those from other countries about the beauties of Thailand and its culture and good traditions.
More than 7,000 Thai Muslims were among the 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world taking part in the spiritual journey this year.
Thailand is a country at the center of the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia.
Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand making up about five percent of the country’s 70 million population.
Islam was first introduced to the Thai people by Sheikh Ahmad Qomi.
He was an Iranian Shia Muslim who promoted Islam in Thailand in the 16th century AD and became the country’s first Sheikh-ul-Islam.
Hajj is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every able-bodied and financially able Muslim is obliged to undertake at least once during their lifetime.
The annual pilgrimage is regarded as one of the pillars of Islam and the largest act of mass pilgrimage in the world.
It is also a demonstration of Muslims’ unity and their submission to Allah.
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