Jifri Thangal walks out of Samastha meeting

Kozhikode: Dramatic scenes unfolded on Wednesday when Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal took strong exception to the ‘unpleasant' remarks made by Mushavara member Ummer Faizi Mukkam and walked out of the meeting called by Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema's Mushavara (top body of Sunni clerics). The meeting was called to discuss the contentious issues between rival factions in the organization.Sources said matters came to a head when Jifri Thangal, who chaired the meeting, told Faizi to move out when the complaint against him is taken up for discussion. Earlier, Faizi had questioned IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Thangal's eligibility to become a qazi of the mahals and this had led to the complaint.But Faizi stayed put. When pro-IUML member Bahauddin Nadwi asked why he was not obeying Samastha president's directive, Faizi asked why he should go away when thieves were sitting at the meeting. Jifri Thangal took exception to his remarks and walked out of the meeting. The meeting ended in minutes.Later Jifri Thangal told the media that contentious issues such as the publication of LDF's controversial ad in Suprabhatham daily, formation of Samastha Adarsha Samrakshana Samiti by pro-IUML faction will be discussed at the next meeting of Mushavara within a fortnight.As the Confederation of Islamic Colleges (CIC-an umbrella body of 60 colleges), has reinstated Abdul Hakeem Faizy Adrissery as its secretary, Samastha Mushavara will not have any links with CIC, said Jifri Thangal. "The nine decisions taken by mediators should be honoured. In the wake of the failure to honour these decisions and considering the reinstatement of Adrissery as secretary, Samastha will have no link with CIC," he said.Though Samastha had publicly voiced its opposition and gave a call to boycott institutions under CIC, the body (led mostly by Panakkad Thangal family) is going ahead with its academic programmes. When asked about Samatha's stand on Munambam issue, Jifri Thangal said there were some doubts in the land registration document. "We will study it again and then Samastha will take a decision," he said. Later in the day, Samastha general secretary issued a statement denying news reports that Jifri Thangal had walked out of the meeting.
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