Pages

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

pay Tribute to Pannakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal


PAY TRIBUTE TO
PANNAKKAD SYED MOHAMMEDALI
SHIHAB THANGAL
State president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Pannakkad syed Mohammedali Shihab thangal died at a hospital on Saturday evening 1st August 2009. He was 73. His death was due to heart failure.
Shihab thangal was suffering from multiple ailments, including diabetes and high blood pressure, for the past several years. Shihab thangal was born on May 4, 1936. He led the IUML as its state president for 34 years. He took over the leadership after his father pookoya Thangal’s death in 1975. Shihab Thangal had his primary education at the Madrathul Mohammadiyya High School, Kozhikodu, He continued his studies at Kananchery dars and finished his higher Education at the Al Azhar Islamic University, Cairo.
The Chief Minister has described Panakkad syed Mohammedali Shihab thangal as a leader whose contribution to the cause of secularism remain ever relevant. His death was most unexpected and a major loss for the state and the nation, the chief minister said. Mr. Thangal was a symbol of tolerance and peace.
Mr. Thangal was a gentleman politician who was loved and respected by the masses cutting across political affiliations. He had made a major contribution to the states political history
Mr. Thangal’s death was a major loss for secular kerala. Thangal’s strong and committed stand that preserved peace and amity in kerala during the difficult days following the demolition of the babri Masjid. He also tirelessly worked for communal peace and amity and his services for the growth of Muslim community would be always remembered.
Kerala had lost a personality who had always upheld secular values. Mr. Thangal’s contribution for the uplift of not only the Muslim community but also the backward communities would always be cherished.
Thangal was buried with full state honours at the Panakkad Juma Masjid on Sunday afternoon 2nd August 2009. Tens of thousands people from different walks of life paid their last respects to the great leader.
The Kodappanakkal house of Sihab Thangal at Panakkad choked with the emotional turnout of people since his body was brought there on Saturday night people poured in thousands through the night, blocking traffic at all points leading to panakkad.
The body was taken to the panakkad Juma Masjid by 2.pm. After a few rounds of prayers and gun salute by the state police, the Janaza of Thangal was lowered in to six-foot grave at 3 p.m
The tomp stone at the grave read in Arabic- syed Mohammaedali Shihab, born may 4,1936 and dead august 1,2009.
Panakkad Shihab Thangal, the kerala state president of Indian Union Muslim League and the spiritual leader of Muslims in the state, He was a epitome of humility and moderation and a secularist to the core, who was revered and respected widely. He was a typical political leader, religious head and social worker.
One notable mark of his stead fast position on the Babri Masjid demolition issue. The Muslim community went through a period of frenzied distress. Even as the entire Muslim community blamed the congress and Narasimha Rao government for the incident. Thangal continued to hitch the IUML to the Congress and united Democratic Front, of which he was a founder. He propounded the concept for peace and communal harmony at a time when the entire community was under threat of being swept away by the frenzy of fundamentalism and extremism. The IUML to day is part of national alliance, and a model for Muslims.
The second notable aspects are his contribution to the evolution of coalition politics in kerala. The essentially paradoxical but stead fast 30 year old alliance with congress. He prevented the emergence of a third force in Kerala such as the Bharatiya Janatha Party.

PROF JOHN KURAKAR

No comments: