Bangkok mosque is a melting pot for Muslims from across Asia

During Ramadan, immigrants pray, break daily fasts together at the Haroon Mosque.
Wissarut Verasopon
2024.04.08
Bangkok
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Muslims pray at the Haroon Mosque in Bangkok, March 30, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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Men and women prepare meals to break the Ramadan daily fast at the Haroon Mosque in Bangkok, March 30, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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Muslim faithful break their Ramadan fast at the Haroon Mosque in the Charoen Krung area of Bangkok, March 12, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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Muslims leave the Bangkok mosque after completing their daily prayers, March 30, 2024 [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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A boy watches as Muslims perform Taraweeh prayers at the Haroon Mosque in Bangkok, March 30, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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Muslim boys prepare for prayers before the Iftar meal at the mosque in Bangkok, March 30, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

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A man checks plates of chicken curry prepared for Iftar, the meal with which Muslims break their daily fast during Ramadan, at the Haroon Mosque in Bangkok, March 30, 2024. [Wissarut Verasopon – Thai News Pix/BenarNews]

Muslims make up a small minority – a little more than 5% of Thailand’s 71.8 million people – but the faithful who fill the Haroon Mosque in Bangkok during Ramadan and other Islamic mosques are mostly immigrants.

Every night throughout Ramadan, they’ve been coming to this mosque in the Charoen Krung-Bang Rak area to pray and to break their daily fasts together over steaming plates of curry dishes and other delights. 

This area in the heart of the Thai capital is home to many Muslims who settled in Thailand after moving from countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.

“My father and mother came to Thailand in 1970, starting a business that has been passed down to my generation,” jewelry store owner Hasim Raja Ameen told BenarNews.

“I don’t feel different. I practice my religion and fast during Ramadan every year, just like Thai Muslims and Muslims around the world,” said Hasim, who is of Tamil Indian descent. 

Built of wood, the mosque was called the Wat Muang Khae Mosque during the reign of King Rama V until 1868, when a more permanent cement structure was constructed. It was registered under the name Haroon in honor of the imam who oversaw the refurbishing construction. 

Ramadan marks the ninth month in the Islamic year and commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Beginning this year on March 12, the Muslim faithful in Thailand have spent their days refraining from food and drink, and will hold a day-long celebration, Eid al-Fitr, later this week to mark the end of Ramadan.

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