Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, a great politician and Islamic scholar, breathed his last at a private hospital in Malappuram, Kerala on August 1. He was admitted to the hospital after he slipped and fell down at his home. The death was said due to cardiac arrest. He was 73.
Born on May 4, 1936 in Malappuram, Kerala, as the eldest son of Panakkad Syed Ahmed Pookoya Thangal, who was a renowned Islamic leader of Kerala, Thangal had his primary education at the M.M. High School, Calicut. He continued his religious education at Thalakkadathur and Kananchery Dars under Ponmala Moideen Musliar. In 1958, he left for Egypt for further studies and obtained his masters degree in the Arabic literature from Jamia Al Azhar in 1961. He continued his studies in Cairo University and pursued a Doctorate in the Arabic Literature in 1966. After spending about eight years in Egypt he returned home in 1966.
Thangal could establish good relationships with world leaders while his stay in Cairo. His colleagues included prominent statesmen from different parts of the world. With a mastery over English, Arabic and French, Syed Shihab was offered posts in Saudi airlines and Egyptian embassy, but he refused them.
Shihab Thangal was appointed president of the Kerala state committee of Indian Union Muslim League subsequent to the death of his father P S M A Pookoya Thangal in 1975. Thangal remained President until his death in 2009. He was also Qazi to hundreds of mahals in Kerala. He played a major role in preserving communal and social harmony at the most trying times like demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. While he played a key role in keeping IUML the most influential political force in the state despite the advent of several radical Muslim outfits. He also kept his party in the Congress camp even as many leaders broke ranks over the issue. He was not only a political leader but also a spiritual leader of the Muslim community in Malabar. He had been Muslim League President for about 34 years.
Thangals had been a moderating influence in the State politics. Thangal had been a key player in Kerala\'s coalition politics and a prominent part of the Congress-led UDF in the last three decades without ever contesting any election.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi condoled the death of Thangal and sent their condolences. In her message, Patil said Thangal was a prominent social worker, active in public life and the country has lost an eminent figure. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and E. Ahamed also turned up at the residence of the late leader to pay homage to the departed soul. Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Jalaluddin Umari also condoled the death of Thangal.
In 1967, Thangal married Shareefa Fathima Beevi, daughter of Syed Abdur Rahman Bafaqui Thangal, one of the founder leaders of the Muslim League. After her death in 2006, he married Aysha Beevi. Thangal is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
The Town Hall witnessed mass prayers for Thangal every 15 minutes. Top Muslim leaders, including Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, led the funeral prayers. The body was taken to the Panakkad Jama Masjid by 2 p.m. After a few rounds of prayers and a gun salute by the State police, the body of the late leader was laid down into a six-foot grave at 3 p.m. Shops and business firms remained closed in Malappuram till evening as a sign of respect to the departed leader.
The body was buried at the Panakkad Jama Masjid on August 2.
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shihab thangalby lalassoft13,326 views
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