A Participatory Mechanism through the Shura Process for Driving the Halaqah Circle toward the Creation of a Virtuous Society in Thailand's Three Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

   This qualitative research aimed to study a participatory mechanism using the Shura process to drive the Halaqah circle toward creating a virtuous society in Thailand’s three southern border provinces. The main informants consisted of 80 epresentatives from partners organizations nvolved in developing policy recommendations for promoting a virtuous society among Muslim youth in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat Provinces. These participants included Fatoni University (6 persons), Assalam Institute Coordination Center (6  persons), Provincial Islamic Committee Office (6 persons), Provincial Private Education Office (6 persons), District Private Education Office (24 persons), Assalam Quality School Network Association (2 persons), and private Islamic schools in the three southern border provinces (30 persons). The research instruments included interviews, knowledge-sharing sessions using the Knowledge Management (KM) process, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis.

   The findings revealed that the participatory collaboration among network partners in  promoting a virtuous society operated through three key mechanisms: 1) Government agencies managed and supported Halaqah circle activities, adapting them to local contexts and positioning them with the needs of educational institutions. 2) Educational institutions  implemented Halakah activities in accordance with the objectives of the Halaqah Circle curriculum and were responsible for selecting suitable Halaqah mentors. 3) Civil society and community sectors promoted moral values among local people by using mosques as  centers for moral development within the community through the Halaqah process.