The Chularatchamontri, spiritual leader of Thailand's Muslims, Sawas Sumalayasak, passed away yesterday at the age of 94.
Sawas died of old age at Bangkok Hospital, according to his son Damrong Sumalayasak.
A prayer ritual for Sawas will be held at the al-Husna mosque in Bangkok's Nong Chok district today.
"His body will be buried at this mosque," Damrong said yesterday. He added His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej would give soil for the burial ceremony.
Damrong is secretary general of the Office of Chularatchamontri and deputy secretary-general of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.
Sawas was born on January 27, 1916 in Chachoengsao. He studied Islam from many prominent figures, including the late Chularatchamontri, Tuan Suwannasart.
Sawas also studied the Koran and related subjects in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
When he returned to Thailand, he taught at the Islamic College of Thailand. He was also a former member as well as a former vice-chairman of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.
On the political scene, Sawas was twice elected as a Bangkok MP under the Democrat Party's banner.
Sawas rose to Chularatchamontri and chairman of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand in 1997. Sawas was the first Chularatchamontri to be elected, as prescribed by the 1997 Islamic Organisation Administration Act.
"My father has lived an exemplary life for Muslims," Damrong said.
