The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, an umbrella body of Sunnis in the State, began a campaign to reassert its ideological footing on Thursday night, issuing a veiled warning to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Addressing crowds at Kooriyad, Samastha president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal said those trying to belittle the leaders of the Samastha would not see the footsteps of the Assembly. Amid rants of Allahu Akbar from the crowds, Mr. Thangal warned the political party that tried to intervene in the matters of Samastha to stay away from it. However, he did not name the IUML.
Mr. Thangal said the Samastha had a strong youth wing led by Abdul Hameed Faizi, and the wing had the capability to handle any situations. “What they (the youth wing) say is the ideological stand of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama,” he said.
He also warned those making fun of Samastha leaders on TV shows. “You display your culture. We know how to react. You will not see the Legislative Assembly by making fun of our leaders,” Mr. Thangal said.
Addressing the gathering, former Haj Committee member Abdussamad Pookkottur reiterated that there would be no compromise on ideology with Mujahid groups. “It’s a question of our Aqueeeda (faith). There will be no cooperation with the Mujahids on it as long as they call us Mushriks (polytheists),” he said.
The Samastha witnessed an internal unrest among its cadres and leadership in the wake of the recently held Mujahid conference at Kooriyad. Wakaf Board chairman Syed Rasheedali Shihab Thangal and Muslim Youth League State president Syed Munawwarali Shihab Thangal, two scions of Panakkad Syed family venerated by Sunnis, had attended the Mujahid conference, rejecting a Samastha directive.
Their participation in the Mujahid conference kicked up a controversy, with a section of the young leadership turning against the increasing influence being exerted by the IUML on the religious body. “Religious people will follow religious leaders, and not anyone else. It’s the duty of religious leaders to guide the followers through the straight path,” said the Samastha president underscoring their ideological stand.
