'Sunnis in Kerala should stand together'

MALAPPURAM: Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, the youngest son of former IUML chief Panakkad Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, said that both Samastha and AP faction of Sunnis should stand together and the Thangal family would take initiative to unite them.

In an exclusive talk with TOI, the youngest leader of the Thangal family said that the entire community was hoping for their unification and the support of religious and political leaders is welcome in this regard.

“Earlier, there were efforts to unify the two sections and my father was also part of these initiatives. We formed a platform for this purpose and organized many meetings and Iftar parties. These didn't fructify. But, efforts should continue as many common issues of the community can be resolved if they join hands,“ he said, adding that development of the community should be the ultimate goal.

He said that local-level issues between two groups are leading to disputes over Wakf properties and the board is trying to settle them. “Both sections allege that justice has been denied. But, I don't think so,“ he added.

The AP faction is campaigning against the IUML's Mannarkkad candidate A N Shamsudheen saying that he had harboured those responsible for the killing of two its members. However, Munavvar Ali said that the MLA had given a clarification that he had not done so.

Munavvar Ali said that more women should be part of parliamentary politics as it would empower democracy . “IUML did not field women candidates this time and it was not due to religious reason. I am hopeful that a change will happen soon,“ he said.

When asked whether he would enter the political arena, he replied that he would abide by the decision taken by the family.