BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised has visited the Islamic Cultural Heritage Museum and Qur’an Learning Center in Yi-ngo district, Narathiwat province, ahead of its official opening. The visit today (Oct 18) included a site inspection and a meeting with key officials to prepare for the ceremony. Attendees included Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Amin Mayuso, deputy governors of Narathiwat, local members of parliament, and representatives from the Provincial Cultural Office and related agencies.
During her visit, Minister Sabeeda toured the exhibition halls and met with residents and women’s groups gathered to welcome her. She also visited Qur’an study sessions held at the center and joined participants in a Salawat prayer honoring the Prophet Muhammad, offering a gesture of peace and goodwill in the context of Thailand’s southern border provinces.
The museum was established to preserve a rare collection of approximately 70 ancient Qur’an manuscripts, collected by Samanmit Wittaya School. The manuscripts, dating back between 100 and 860 years, originate from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Yemen. The construction of a dedicated museum was supported by the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and the Fine Arts Department, with funding exceeding 182 million baht. The project was carried out from 2014 to 2025.
The museum’s exhibits showcase the depth and richness of Islamic cultural heritage in Thailand, while the adjacent Qur’an Learning Center offers a space for religious education and cultural dialogue. Together, they reflect the historical and spiritual traditions of Muslim communities in the Deep South.
The site is expected to serve as a cultural and educational destination in Narathiwat province, providing a platform for historical preservation and cross-community understanding. (NNT)
