Tribute to Panakkad Shihab Thangal
Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal(73), the spiritual leader of a major section of Kerala Muslims and the unquestioned leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), is no more with us. The death was due to Cardiac Arrest. The body was buried at the Panakkad Juma Masjid on 2nd August 2009.
Shihab Thangal was born on May 4th, 1936 as the eldest son of Panakkad Syed Ahmed Pookoya Thangal, who was a renowned Islamic leader of Kerala. He 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 master's degree in Arabic Literature from Al Azhar University in 1961. He continued his studies in Cairo University and pursued a Doctorate in Arabic Literature in 1966. After spending about eight years in Egypt he returned home in 1966.
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 had four younger brothers Sayed Umarali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Abbasali Shihab Thangal.
Thangal, who succeeded his father Panakkad Pookoya Thangal as IUML state president in 1975, had been a key factor of the Congress-led UDF coalition in the state. Despite being a powerful political figure, thangal had kept away from electoral contests and never occupied any government positions. Thangal was offered jobs in Saudi Airlines and the Egyptian Embassy, he chose to work for the people of Kerala, especially for the social and educational advancement of his community.
Shihab Thangal was born on May 4th, 1936 as the eldest son of Panakkad Syed Ahmed Pookoya Thangal, who was a renowned Islamic leader of Kerala. He 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 master's degree in Arabic Literature from Al Azhar University in 1961. He continued his studies in Cairo University and pursued a Doctorate in Arabic Literature in 1966. After spending about eight years in Egypt he returned home in 1966.
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 had four younger brothers Sayed Umarali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, Sayed Abbasali Shihab Thangal.
Thangal, who succeeded his father Panakkad Pookoya Thangal as IUML state president in 1975, had been a key factor of the Congress-led UDF coalition in the state. Despite being a powerful political figure, thangal had kept away from electoral contests and never occupied any government positions. Thangal was offered jobs in Saudi Airlines and the Egyptian Embassy, he chose to work for the people of Kerala, especially for the social and educational advancement of his community.
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