Sunni factions to bury the hatchet

EK and AP groups form panels to take rapprochement forward

Madin Academy chairman and a leader of the AP Sunni group Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari Thangal (right) with EK Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal at a Sadaat conclave at Venniyoor on Thursday.

The two predominant Sunni groups in the State led by Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal (EK faction) and Kanthapuram A.P.Aboobacker Musliar (AP faction) have begun talks of rapprochement.

Although the merger of the two Sunni groups looks extremely remote because of the organisational interests, both factions have come closer than ever in their 29 years of division. Both factions have tacitly agreed to cooperate ideologically and in matters concerning the community at large.

4-member panels

The Mushawara or the high commands of both groups have deputed a four-member committee each to hold discussions on attaining Sunni unity.

The EK faction has chosen A.V. Manuppa Musliar, Umer Faizi Mukkam, Abdul Hameed Faizi Ambalakadavu, and Bahauddin Nadvi Kooriyad as members of their delegation. Although the AP faction is yet to announce its members, sources said Abdurahman Faizi Wandoor, Ahamedkutty Musliar Kattippara, Abdurahman Saqafi Perode, and Hasan Saqafi Chullikode have been entrusted the responsibility.

Top leaders of both Sunni groups agreed that it was for the first time in 29 years that their Mushawara appointed such delegations for rapprochement. Although talks for cooperation between the groups had been held at various levels in the past, the Mushawara had never taken such an initiative before.

For the first time ever in 29 years after the split, the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama of EK faction conducted a public meeting at Kooriyad last week without sending any jibes at Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar.

Both factions have decided not to provoke each other any more. The AP faction has decided not to call their counterparts as Chelari group. The EK faction was widely referred to as Chelari Samastha as it was headquartered at Chelari in Malappuram district.

The Sadaats or Thangals belonging to both groups met at Venniyoor on Thursday as part of a Sadaat conference. The meeting of EK Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal and Syed Khaleel Bukhari Thangal, a strong leader of the AP group, at the Sadaat conclave had special significance in the light of the ongoing talks for Sunni unity.