Thailand's Interior Minister Aree Wongareeya received here today Secretary General of The Muslim Word League (MWL) Dr. Abdulmuhsin Al-Turki. The Minister said this meeting was important to review the situation of 5 million Muslims who live in the southern regions of Thailand. On his part, Dr. Al-Turki said the MWL is an international public organization which represents Islamic countries and minorities, ever since its establishment 50 years ago. "The Saudi Government makes every effort to promote cooperation between nations. It is a country, which is the base of the MWL, follows a policy of moderation that helps the MWL to resolve a number of Islamic issues." Muslims comprise Thailand's largest religious minority and are concentrated mainly in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala,and Satun. Islam is said to have been introduced to the Malay peninsula by Arab traders and adventurers during the 13th century. Most Thai Muslims are of Malay descent, reflecting the common cultural heritage Thailand's southernmost provinces share with Malaysia.
