Latest news with #Thangal
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UDF seeks to avoid fallout over Welfare Party support
Kozhikode: Opposition leader V D Satheesan's explanation of Welfare Party's support to UDF—saying its parent group Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) has changed its stance on a theocratic state—did not sit well with Sunnis and other Muslim groups. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To prevent any backlash, Congress has started efforts to manage the situation. On Thursday, KPCC chief Sunny Joseph met Samastha president Jifri Muthukoya Thangal in Kozhikode. Although they did not discuss Welfare Party's support to UDF, the meeting's timing is politically important. Thangal said Samastha does not back any party and that its members are free to vote as they wish. Meanwhile, Samastha leader Ummer Faizi Mukkam, who is close to CPM, criticized Satheesan, saying he has no right to issue 'fatwas' on Islam. "That is the job of the ulema and we are here for that," he said. He also accused JEI of promoting ideas against Islamic teachings. On a more measured note, AP Sunni faction leader Abdul Hakim Azhari said Sunni groups do not interfere in political alliances or elections but added that its criticism of JEI is based on ideology. "JEI's ideology is built on the idea of a theocratic state. There is no sign they have given it up. Explanations from other political leaders aren't enough," he said. We evaluate secular and democratic values and development policies of each side and inform our members of our position. Raising opinions and criticisms is a sign of political awareness and democratic alertness, helping society develop in many ways. This should continue. Seeing these opinions as political support or opposition shows a misunderstanding of how democratic discussion can work, he said. With LDF increasing criticism of Welfare Party's support for UDF and even groups like Catholic Congress unhappy, UDF is moving cautiously to avoid any impact in Nilambur. Joseph later told the media that Thangal gave advice in good spirit. "We will accept it and move ahead," he said. When asked if his advice was related to Nilambur, Joseph said that topic was not discussed.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sunny Joseph meets Samastha's Jifri Thangal in Kozhikode
At a time when campaigning for the byelection to the Nilambur Assembly constituency is gaining momentum, newly appointed Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph visited Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, president of the influential Sunni scholars' forum, the Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, here on Thursday. The meeting happened at the office of the Samastha in the city. Mr. Joseph later told the media that it was part of his attempts to meet prominent community leaders and political veterans. 'The meeting was cordial, and we discussed political issues as well. His suggestions and advice will help the party,' he added. Mr. Joseph was accompanied by All India Congress Committee secretary Roji M. John, MLA, and K. Praveenkumar, Kozhikode District Congress Committee president. The visit assumes significance against the backdrop of reports that the Samastha leadership is not happy with the support offered by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind-linked Welfare Party of India (WPI) to Aryadan Shoukath, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the bypoll. The Thangal, however, claimed that the bypoll was not discussed during the meeting. He said that Mr. Joseph had sought suggestions to strengthen the Congress party. 'All the political parties, including the Congress, should go ahead with a secular perspective. That is what I told him,' the Thangal said. Meanwhile, he declined to comment on the WPI's support to the UDF. 'We do not need to comment on that. The respective political fronts will try to get votes to win the elections. We do not politically support anyone. In Nilambur, the fight is between two strong political fronts. We are not the ones to give either a good certificate or a bad certificate to the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind. Our differences with it are ideological, not political,' he added.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Students should develop value-based identity, says Thangal
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal has said that the students should develop a value-based identity. He was here on Sunday evening to open a public event held at the Muthalakkulam Ground as part of the culmination of the district conference of the IUML-affiliated Muslim Students Federation (MSF). The Thangal said that though technology had advanced a lot in the modern era, it would not be able to replace human values such as honesty. He urged students to develop a sense of social responsibility irrespective of the professions they choose in life. The Thangal also claimed that the MSF was making its presence on campuses across the State. Addressing the gathering, P.K. Kunhalikutty, IUML national general secretary, exhorted students to work towards unseating the Left Democratic Front government in the State and the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. He alleged that the achievements made during the tenure of the previous United Democratic Front government had been been lost in the past 10 years. Mr. Kunhalikutty claimed that the educational sector in Kozhikode and Malappuram had been dragged backwards by at least 10 years. The State government had not taken steps to improve the educational infrastructure in these places, he added. Earlier, addressing the State conference of the IUML-aligned Confederation of Kerala College Teachers, the Thangal said that the IUML had always strived to ensure education for underprivileged people. He also highlighted the role played by the late C.H. Mohammed Koya in setting up the University of Calicut. Opening the State conference of the Differently Abled People's League, the Thangal said that the government should not compromise on the rights of the differently abled population. He demanded that more schemes be implemented for their welfare.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Samastha seeks revocation of Asgar Ali Faizy's expulsion from Arabic college
The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the largest body of traditional Islamic scholars in the State, has sought revocation of Asgar Ali Faizy's expulsion from Jamia Nooriyya Arabic College, Pattikkad. A meeting of the 40-member Mushawara, the topmost decision-making body of the Samastha, held in Kozhikode on Tuesday took the decision against the management of the Jamia Nooriyya Arabic College, the Samastha's flagship institution. Mr. Faizy, a veteran scholar and senior Mushawara member, was expelled from Jamia Nooriyya in March reportedly in retaliation for his veiled criticism against Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. Although Jamia Nooriyya functions under the Samastha, the college is being managed by IUML leaders. The Mushawara decided to demand the reinstatement of Mr. Faizy at Jamia Nooriyya, with Bahaudheen Nadvi submitting a dissenting note. Mr. Nadvi is known to align with the IUML on key issues where the party and the Samastha have differing views. The Mushawara formed a panel to meet Mr. Thangal and urge him to implement a nine-point charter related to the Coordination of Islamic Colleges (CIC). The Samastha had made the charter as part of finding a solution to an impasse it had with the CIC several months ago. But it was not implemented. The Mushawara decided to demand Mr. Thangal's resignation as head of the CIC if he failed to implement the nine-point charter. The Mushawara also decided to summon the leaders of the Sunni Mahallu Federation (SMF) to normalise its committee formations under the Samastha's umbrella. The Mushawara decisions are viewed to have far-reaching consequences, especially in the light of the ongoing tug-of-war between the Samastha and a faction supporting the IUML. All the three decisions will impact the Samastha's relations with the IUML as the party leadership is directly connected with them. Mr. Thangal holds significant influence over both the CIC and Jamia Nooriyya, putting him directly at the centre of the Samastha's latest decisions and demands. This could lead to a major showdown between the two entities. The IUML faction within the Samastha appears to be backing Mr. Thangal for a top leadership position, seeking recognition as the supreme leader of the Muslim community. However, the Samastha asserts its authority, believing that no Muslim political leader regardless of their scholarship or social standing is above the Samastha's leadership.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Waqf amendment a political issue, not a Muslim issue, says Thangal
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal has said that the Waqf (Amendment) Act is not just a 'Muslim issue' but a 'political issue' aimed at communal polarisation targeting the minorities. He was opening a protest gathering against the Act, organised by the All-Indian Muslim Personal Law Board, here on Saturday. The Thangal said all secular parties opposed the amendment because it was a political issue. He claimed that the Supreme Court had noticed some of the legal tangles in it, and the Union government backtracked on some of the provisions because of this. The Thangal said that united efforts should be continued to legally challenge the amendment. The meeting passed a resolution, saying that the Act was part of an anti-Muslim agenda conceived in 'Sangh Parivar factories', which was aimed at curbing the religious freedom of the community and destroying the country's pluralistic and secular policies. The attempt was to divert attention from issues such as unemployment, poverty alleviation, and development. Misleading arguments were being spread about the Waqf provisions in Islam. The meeting urged the Kerala government not to implement the Act in the State and hold consultations with community leaders before taking any decisions. The participants said Kerala should emulate the model of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal governments, who had decided not to enforce it. A call was also given to observe a symbolic protest by switching off lights between 9 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. on April 30. E.T. Mohammed Basheer, M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, and P.V. Abdul Vahab, MPs, P.K. Kunhalikutty, IUML national general secretary, and representatives of community organisations were present.
