Samastha centenary begins in K’god

Kozhikode: The centenary conference of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama began at Kuniya in Kasaragod on Wednesday with IUML state president Panakkad Sadikkali Thangal inaugurating the event at Varakkal Mullakoya Thangal Nagar. Earlier in the day, Samastha president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal hoisted the flag marking the centenary celebrations being held under the theme ‘Adarsha Vishuddhi Noottandukalilude' (Purity of ideology throughout centuries). This was followed by the hoisting of 99 additional flags by Samastha leaders.In his inaugural address, Sadikali Thangal said Samastha had served as a pillar of guidance and support for a community that feared whether it would lose its way. "Samastha stood the test of time and emerged victorious not through the power of the sword but through the power of knowledge and faith," he said. Thangal said the organization played a key role in shaping Kerala as a model of communal harmony and called for unity within the community, noting that there were far more reasons to come together than to drift apart.He said Samastha would continue to guide future generations who would be born into a world undergoing transformations far greater than current scientific and technological advances. "Samastha will help them remain grounded in faith and build resistance," he added.In his presidential address, Jifri Thangal called for concerted efforts to resist forces opposed to Sunni ideology and strengthen the ideological foundations of the community.Rector of Egypt's Al-Azhar University Dr Salama Jum‘a Dawood will inaugurate Sunday's mega public meeting with Jifri Thangal presiding over the session.As part of the centenary celebrations, several events were organized, including a global expo, a camp for dedicated preachers, a general camp offering spiritual and material lessons, a global ulama summit featuring internationally renowned scholars, a campus conclave, a gen z summit, leadership camp, media seminar and socio-cultural interaction programmes.