Latest news with #pro-IUML
Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Zumba is harmful to moral life of students': Religious groups slam Kerala bid to bring dance-based fitness programme to schools
Some religious groups in Kerala have raised concerns about the CPI(M)-led government's plan to introduce Zumba, a dance-based fitness programme, in schools. They argued that the 'Western import' would have an adverse effect on morality. The state Education Department recently decided to teach Zumba in all schools as part of efforts to drive students away from drug abuse and violence, and to improve their physical and mental fitness. Last month, ahead of the beginning of the current academic year, the Education Department had given training to teachers as part of their annual refresher programmes. However, Abdul Samad Pookkottor, a prominent cleric belonging to SAMASTHA, a clerical body known for its pro-IUML stand, said: 'Zumba is harmful to the moral life of students. Prayer is the best for mental well-being. We also have yoga. This is an import from the Western world. If the government insists that Zumba dance should be implemented, our clerics will fight against it. Girls and boys should not be allowed to mingle under the pretext of the Zumba dance. Should we require this dance programme from Colombia? Our students should be allowed to maintain morality. Let the government appoint physical education teachers in all schools.' Another cleric, Nazar Faizy Koodathai, said students should not be compelled into 'vulgarity'. 'If well-built students are also forced to dance wearing minimum clothes and mingling with the opposite sex, it is highly deplorable. Instead of introducing Zumba, let the government focus on physical training programmes. Students should not be forced into vulgarity,' he said. The Indian Union Muslim League's student wing, the Muslim Students Federation, also came out against the decision. IUML state president P K Navas said, 'This was unilaterally introduced in schools without conducting a study.' While chairing a meeting convened to address increasing incidents of teenage violence and drug abuse, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had suggested the idea of introducing Zumba in schools to ease stress and make students more active. In 2022, the Left Front government had decided to introduce gender-neutral uniforms and other reforms in the education sector. A school curriculum committee had also suggested doing away with separate seats for boys and girls in schools as part of bringing gender neutrality. However, the government was forced to recall the reforms in the wake of protests from religious organisations.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Act against Faizi, says pro-IUML Samastha faction
Kozhikode: After a brief lull, the rift between pro-IUML and anti-IUML factions of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema has escalated with the pro-IUML faction demanding action against Mushavara member Ummer Faizi Mukkam , who allegedly convened a parallel meeting ahead of the recently-held meeting of pro-IUML leaders accused Faizi of persistently attempting to discredit Samastha and its leaders who have been held in high regard by the public and encouraging divisive activities. They demanded his removal from all posts in Samastha and its affiliated a joint statement, they demanded action against those who attended the meeting held under the leadership of Faizi and ensure that the sanctity of Mushavara is of the statement include Bahaudeen M Nadwi, MP Musthafal Faizi, Abdu Samad Pookkotur, MC Mayin Haji, Nazar Faizi Koodathayi, Mohammed Faizi Onampilly among leader Nassar Faizi Koodathayi alleged that Faizi is engaging in political manoeuvring and attempting to align with the Left. "Reports have surfaced that a parallel meeting was held in Kozhikode ahead of the Mushavara meeting. Those involved have not denied it. If the news is true, then it is highly condemnable and unacceptable. We have urged Mushavara to take strong action on the matter," he also said that Faizi had been supporting the Left to create problems for the UDF before the November, Samastha had issued a notice to the Mushavara member seeking explanation from him on the controversial remarks he made against IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sunni unity sans Panakkad Sadiq Ali Thangal?
KOZHIKODE: Exclusion of IUML state president Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal from the Waqf-Constitution Protection Meeting to be held in Ernakulam on May 4 under the aegis of the four Sunni organisations in Kerala has become a major controversy, with the pro-IUML group alleging a conspiracy to sideline the leader. As per a poster released on social media, Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama president Syed Muhammad Jiffiri Muthukoya Thangal, Kanthapuram Sunni group leader Syed Ebrahim al Bukhari Thangal, Dakshina Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama general secretary Thodiyur Muhammad Kunji Moulavi and Kerala Samsthana Jem-Iyyathul Ulama general secretary Najeeb Moulavi Mambad are expected to take part in the conference. The conference is hailed as a giant leap in Sunni unity in the state because it is very rare for the Sunni organisations to come together on one platform. However, the IUML cadres and sympathisers are not happy with the turn of events as they see the conference as a move to sideline the political party. 'We asked the organisers as to why Sadiq Ali Thangal was not invited and they said it is not a political programme. They said that if Thangal, who is the leader of the IUML, is invited then the leaders of other parties should also be invited,' said a Sunni leader. 'For us, the Panakkad family member is not just a political leader. He is the spiritual head of the community. There is no point in organising a programme like the conference in Ernakulam without him,' he said. Curiously, Panakkad Syed Mueen Ali Shihab Thangal, who is believed to be close with Samastha, has shared the poster of the conference on his Facebook wall. What irks the IUML most is Samastha's increased closeness with the Kanthapuram group. The IUML believes that the talks on 'Sunni unity' are a mere ploy to checkmate the IUML. The party's social media handles are busy revisiting the Samastha leaders' writings and speeches against Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar. The rival group is retorting with the photographs of the members of the Panakkad family visiting Kanthapuram and his institutions. It may be recalled that the Samastha suffered a split in 1989 following Kanthapuram's move to hold a meeting in Ernakulam. He held a meeting of the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) which culminated in the split in Samastha. IUML argues that what is happening now is an attempt to repeat 1989. 'PUT OUT LIGHT' PROTEST AGAINST WAQF LEGISLATION Leaders of the Muslim community have asked everyone to participate in the 'Put Out Light' protest against the Waqf Act called by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board from 9 pm to 9.15 pm on April 30. Those who signed the statement include Panakkad Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal, K Alikutty Musaliyar, Hussein Madavoor, P Mujaeeb Rehman, Thodiyur Muhammad Kunji Moulavi, P N Abdul Latheef Madani, C P Umar Sullami and A K Abdul Majeed PLEA IN HC SEEKING TO VACATE INTERIM ORDER RESTRAINING WAQF TRIBUNAL KOCHI: A resident of Munambam approached the Kerala High Court seeking to vacate the interim order issued by a Division Bench on April 11, restraining the Waqf Tribunal, Kozhikode, from passing final orders in the proceedings in connection with the Munambam land dispute cases till May 26, 2025. The petitioner Joseph Benny submitted that the interim order will only help widen the communal rift, which is not in the interest of the harmonious existence of the people of Munambam. The court directed the Kerala State Waqf Board to file a counter-affidavit and decided to hear the matter on May 9. The petitioner also sought to be impleaded in the petition filed by State Waqf Board challenging the tribunal's order rejecting its plea to call for records from the Subordinate Judges Court, Paravur, Ernakulam, regarding the cases.
