Latest news with #Thangal
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sivankutty says govt is open to talks, Samastha chief welcomes decision
T'puram/Kozhikode: General education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday said that his comments on the change in school timings align with the court's stance. He stated that there is no defiant approach on the matter and that the govt is willing to discuss it with Samastha, which is opposing the new arrangement. He mentioned that any organization has the right to protest and the govt is ready to have discussions with any of them who are objecting to the new timings. The govt has no adamant stand on this, he said. The minister was responding to the reaction from Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama president Syed Muhammad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, who flayed the new school timings. Thangal criticised Sivankutty's stance and emphasised that responses to demands should be decent, regardless of who is making them. He was responding to media comments made by Sivankutty on Friday, stating that the govt had no plans to change the new school timings introduced this year. Sivankutty mentioned that the govt cannot adjust school hours to suit the demands of a section of society and suggested that those facing difficulties due to the new timings should adjust their schedules instead. Reacting to these comments, Thangal stated that if the solution is to find new timings, then everyone can do that. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo He pointed out that there are only 24 hours in a day and questioned how they could find another time. "Anyone can say that there is no point in protesting. That style is not correct. If they call for discussions, we are ready for it. Let them call us for a discussion. It is the demand of a major community. Isn't the ministry and govt for looking after the matters of the communities? Aren't these communities who vote? We don't have a feeling of being ignored since the chief minister is yet to respond to our memorandum," Thangal said. Later in the day, Thangal welcomed the change in Sivankutty's stance that the govt was ready for discussions. Thangal told reporters that if a time was decided, then they were ready for discussion. "It is positive that he said he is willing to hold discussions, and we welcome that," he said. Thangal mentioned that they wouldn't have objected to the change in timings unless it affected the timings of madrassas. Thangal added that the decision to hold protests was made before the possibility of discussions, and it will not take place if the outcome of the discussions is positive. He stated that the Muslim community, especially the Sunni Muslims, is a large community, and it is their demand that the time they opt for religious education is not disrupted. "So, when their demand is put forth, that needs to be considered. A memorandum on this was given to the chief minister. He is in the US for treatment. So, we were under the impression that a solution would be found once he returns but when certain statements are raised by the education minister before that, it would provoke us as well," he said.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- 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
12-06-2025
- 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.
