Muslim spiritual leader in Thailand passed away at 94.

Sawas Sumalayasak died of old age at Bangkok Hospital, according to his son Damrong Sumalayasak, The Nation reported.

A prayer ritual for Sawas will be held at the al-Husna mosque in Bangkok's Nong Chok district on Thursday.

"His body will be buried at this mosque," Damrong said. "My father has lived an exemplary life for Muslims," Damrong said.

Damrong is secretary general of the Office of Chularatchamontri and deputy secretary-general of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.

Who is Sawas?

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 Holy 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.

Agencies