Parinya Prayadsap, also known as Ibrahim, was fired for going on the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca too often, absenting himself from the school without permission. He has taught at the school for 16 years.
The protestors said that Mr Parinya, who teaches Arabic and Muslim studies at the school, was a popular and well known teacher. They were outraged that he had effectively been fired for going on the Haj, one of the most deeply religious actions a Muslim can perform.
His latest trip to Mecca was at the invitation of the national Sheihkul Islam Office, which asked him to go as a guide to other Thai pilgrims.
Meeting with the protestors, Dr Srirat Ketmuang, representing the school board, said that Mr Parinya had broken school regulations by going to Mecca on pilgrimage three times in the past five years. The school, he explained, has a policy that teachers and staff may perform the Haj only once every five years.
“He went to Mecca three times to work as a guide [rather than as a pilgrim]. This meant that other people in the school who wanted to go on the Haj could not. We have to enforce our regulations in order to maintain fairness,” Dr Srirat said.
However, the protestors, led by Saman Kanuengkan – Imam of Darul Istikorma Mosque and a member of the board of the Phuket Muslim Association – disagreed with this decision and told him they wanted Mr Parinya reinstated.
“He is a very nice guy and a talented teacher,” Mr Saman said. “It is not fair that he should be fired for going on the Haj. He went as the representative of [Thailand’s Islamic spiritual leader] Chularatchamontri [Aziz Pitakkumpon] who asked him to go on the Haj to lead Thai-Muslim people in Mecca.
“This is our request, from local people and students: we just want him back. We have asked for talks with the school board many times but they always refused to meet us. That is why we are here today [in force].”
Dr Srirat said that the protestors’ request will be considered by the school board but added that he could not say whether the board would change its decision or not.
In the meantime, Mr Parinya is still on notice, with March 31 set as his final day working at the school.