Latest news with #SamasthaKeralaJamiyyathulUlama
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala open to revising new school timings after Samastha flags impact on 12 lakh madrassa students
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left government in Kerala on Wednesday said it is open to discussion if any group faces difficulties following the announcement of new school timings for high schools in the state. The move comes after Muslim scholar and president of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, expressed concern that the revised schedule would affect madrassa education for around 12 lakh students. Thangal raised the issue at a function attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan . Samastha Kerala Jamiyyatthul ul-Ulama, known as Samastha, is an association of eminent Sunni scholars who enjoy the highest support base among Kerala Muslims. General Education Minister V Sivankutty, responding to the concerns, said the government is ready to listen and consider changes if needed. The revised timings, announced earlier in the day, extend the school day by 15 minutes in both the morning and evening sessions, except on Fridays. Under the new schedule, high school classes will run from 9.15 am to 4.15 pm. Talking to a news channel, Sivankutty said the government is under no compulsion on this matter. He said this was not framed by the Education Department on the basis of a government decision, but follows a court directive and a commission's decision. "Still, if any section faces difficulties due to the new timings, the government will hold discussions with them and put in place a system that does not cause difficulties to anyone," Sivankutty said. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
High school timings revised for benefit of students: Kerala Minister Sivankutty
Kollam , Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday said that the timings of high schools in the state were revised for the benefit of students and there was no fault on the part of the government. The minister said that under the revised timings, the school hours have only been extended by 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon sessions, except on Fridays, for 16 days a month. "Then only we will get the required hours equal to 220 teaching days which is a requirement for completing the prescribed curriculum of high schools as per the national education calendar and state education rules," Sivankutty said while speaking to reporters here. He was responding to a query by reporters regarding the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama raising concerns about the revised timings at an event on Wednesday where Chief Minister Pinayari Vijayan was present. Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, known as Samastha, is an association of eminent Sunni scholars who enjoy the highest support base among Kerala Muslims and it had expressed concern that the revised schedule would affect madrassa education for around 12 lakh students. Sivankutty said the government was not going to reject their concerns as it was not opposed to any community's religious beliefs and practices. He said that the government was open to holding discussions with them, but the decision to revise the timings was taken on the basis of court orders and central and state education laws which cannot be ignored. "Let them give suggestions and we will consider the same. We are not rigid on the issue," the minister said. Sivankutty also said that last year, when he had fixed the teaching days to 209 in the state, there was a lot of opposition to it, following which he had reduced it to 205. "But some teachers' organisations affiliated with the UDF went to the Kerala High Court, which in turn directed the setting up of a high-power committee to examine the matter. The committee gave its report which has been accepted by the High Court also," he said. It was based on the panel's report that the timings were revised, the minister added.
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. open to discussion on new school timings after concerns raised
The government on Wednesday said it was open to discussions if any group faced difficulties following the announcement of new school timings for high schools in the State. The move comes after Muslim scholar and president of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama Jifri Muthukoya Thangal expressed concern that the revised schedule would affect madrassa education for around 12 lakh students. Mr. Thangal raised the issue at a function attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyatthul ul-Ulama, known as Samastha, is an association of Sunni scholars who enjoy the highest support base among Kerala Muslims. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, responding to the concerns, said the government was ready to listen and consider changes if needed. The revised timings, announced earlier in the day, extend the school day by 15 minutes in both the morning and evening sessions, except on Fridays. Under the new schedule, high school classes will run from 9.15 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. Talking to a news channel, Mr. Sivankutty said the government was under no compulsion on this matter. He said this was not framed by the Education department on the basis of a government decision, but followed a court directive and a commission's decision. 'Still, if any section faces difficulties due to the new timings, the government will hold discussions with them and put in place a system that does not cause difficulties to anyone,' Mr. Sivankutty said.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Waqf Act usurped minority rights, criticises meeting
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, usurps the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the minority community, according to a protest meeting organised by the Jamiyyathul Ulama Coordination Committee, Ernakulam, on Sunday (May 4, 2025). Speakers at the meeting, inaugurated by Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, said the new legislation would lead to the alienation of hundreds of mosques, madrasas, and burial grounds. It would even undermine the existence of Muslims in the country, the meeting noted. The meeting resolved to democratically oppose the Union government's move to alienate waqf properties. I.B. Usman Faizi presided, and Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari delivered the keynote address.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rift in Samastha widens as Sunni unity meet approaches
The rift between the two Sunni factions within the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama appears to be worsening day by day even as attempts are being made to bring about a Sunni unity in the name of Waqf protection. The allegations levelled by Samastha's veteran leader Umer Faizy Mukkam against the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in connection with Waqf related issues at different places in the State on Friday were the latest in the ongoing face-off between the IUML and the Shajara factions. Mr. Faizy, during a Waqf meeting held near Farook College, Feroke, said a Muslim political party had been responsible for several instances of Waqf land grab in the State. Party leaders were trying to cover up those land grabs. He mentioned the Taliparamba Waqf land issue as a classic example of the involvement of the Muslim party leaders. Mr. Faizy said some Muslim political leaders would be hurt when the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama raises those land grabs. 'But the Samastha is not responsible for that,' he said. Mr. Faizy also questioned the Farook College management's view that the controversial land at Munambam is not Waqf. 'It's a shame on the Farook College management,' he said, reminding them to behave with dignity. 'If it's a mistake, correct it please. Otherwise the people will intervene,' he warned. Mr. Faizy's comments evoked strong criticism from IUML circles, though the leaders avoided responding. All eyes on Kochi meet All eyes are on the Waqaf meet by four Sunni groups being held at Kaloor, Kochi, on Sunday as this meet is feared to widen the differences within the Samastha rather than pacify tempers. The meet has historic significance, and the result may be a milestone in the State's Muslim politics. The Waqf meet convened jointly by the Dakshin Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the Samsthana Jamiyyathul Ulama and the AP and EK factions of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (the two biggest Sunni groups) has kept away IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, who is also president of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS). The exclusion of Mr. Thangal from the Kochi meet has apparently angered a section within the Samastha who support the IUML and institutions like Darul Huda Islamic University and the Coordination of Islamic Colleges (CIC). It was a meeting in Kochi convened by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar in 1989 that became a turning point in the AP-EK division of the Samastha. The upcoming May 4 Kochi meeting has drawn comparisons to this pivotal event, sparking interest in its potential impact.
