Many in Samastha against Jifri Thangal’s stance

Religious body’s stand with regard to political parties

The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (SKJU), the biggest body of Islamic scholars in the State, popular by the forename Samastha, seems to be heading towards a repetition of history.

Although it was interpreted as signs of rejuvenation when its president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal tried to instil the orthodox Sunni spirit into the organisation, recent developments indicate that Mr. Thangal’s position in the Samastha looks precarious rather than commanding.

A large section in the Samastha, owing allegiance to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), is against the stand adopted by Mr. Thangal, especially vis-à-vis the religious organisation’s stance on political parties. For Mr. Thangal, the IUML is a political party like any other, though the Samastha is closer to it than any other party.