Tribute to Marhoom Syed Mohamed Ali Shihab Thangal

TMCA participated in FIMA organized condolence meeting on Friday, the 7th August, 2009 at Jamiath Islah Auditiorium after Magreb prayer, to pay tribute to Marhoom Panakkad Syed Mohamed Ali Shihab Thangal, President of Kerala State Indian Union Muslim League, an undisputed leader, Qazi to hundreds of muhallas in Kerala, politician of all ages who passed away on 1st of August, 2009.

He was a noble person with unmatchable leadership qualities in whose era, Kerala witnessed communal harmony at all times even if the other States were affected, like during Babri masjid demolition, Mumbai violence etc., He was well remembered that in one instance when Kerala judiciary faced difficulties to deliver judgment on a verdict, with due appreciation he amicably helped in solving that difficult dispute. He is soft spoken, spiritual adviser cum politician, accepted to all people irrespective of religion, caste, creed etc.,
FIMA current and past Executives spoke on the occasion, like Br. Siddique Velayakath, Dr. Ahamed Ghazi, Br. Irfan Kareem, Dr. Ameer Ahamed, Br. Haneef, Br. Shamiuddin to mention a few.
Prominent faces representing member associations of FIMA paid their valuable tribute to Shihab Thangal. On behalf of Tamilnadu Muslim Cultural Association (TMCA), Br. M. Muneer Ahamed, Deputy General Secretary delivered attentive speech highlighting Shihab Saheb's early life and Career and achievements.

Vote of Thanks by Br. Shamiuddin and meeting ended at 08.30 p.m with special prayer service by Br. Muneer Ahamed, Dy.Gen.Secretary, TMCA.

Brief History of Shihab Thangal.

Shihab Thangal was born as the eldest son of Panakkad Syed Ahmed Pookaya Thangal, who was a renowned Islamic leader of Kerala. He had his primary education at the M.M. High School, Calicut. He continued his religious education at Thalakkadathur and Kananchery Dars under Ponmala Moideen Musliar. In 1958, he left for Egypt for futher studies and obtained his master's degree in Arabic literature from Al-Azhar University in 1961. He continued his studies in Cairo University and pursued a Doctorate in Arabic Literature in 1966. After spending about eight years in Egypt he returned home in 1966.

In 1967, Thangal married Shareefa Fathima Beevi, daughter of Syed Abdur Rahman Bafaqui Thangal, one of the founder leaders of the Muslim League. After her death in 2006, he married Aysha Beevi. Thangal had two sons; Syed Basheerali Shihab Thangal and Syed Munavarali Shihab Thangal and had four younger brothers; Syed Umerali Shihab Thangal, Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, Syed Abbasali Shihab Thangal.

Shihab Thangal was appointed as the president of the Kerala State Committee of Indian Union Muslim League subsequent to his father's death in 1975. Shihab Thangal remained President until his death in 2009. He was an undisputed leader of the Muslim community in Kerala and was Qazi to hundreds of mahallas in Kerala.

Shihab Thangal passed away at a private hospital in Malappuram district on 1st August, 2009. Thangal was admitted to the hospital after he slipped and fell down at his home, Panakkad Kodappanakkal. The death was due to cardiac arrest. The body was buried at the Panakkad Juma Masjid on 2nd August, 2009.