Samastha reconciliation talks fail as anti-IUML group stays away from meet-OxBig News Network

A reconciliation meeting, convened jointly by the top leadership of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) following differences within the Samastha over ‘acquiescing to the supremacy of the IUML’ reached a flashpoint, failed as a section within the Samastha stayed away from it here on Monday.

Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal and IUML president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal said there was nothing unusual about being absent in a meeting. “Some of them could not attend because of inconvenience. We will talk to them and ensure that the Samastha goes ahead unitedly,” said Mr. Muthukoya Thangal.

The two groups were at each other’s throats arguing on social media for and against the IUML and the leadership of Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal.

Ten members of each group were invited to Monday’s meeting. When IUML supporters, including Abdussamad Pookkottur and Nasar Faizy Koodathai, attended the meeting, the other group led by Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakkadavu stayed away.

Addressing the media separately, Mr. Sadikali Thangal said boycotting a meeting convened by the leadership was a sign of indiscipline. However, after the meeting, Mr. Muthukoya Thangal said Mr. Sadikali did not mean so.

Mr. Sadikali Thangal said that there were differences of opinion within the Samastha, but there was no ‘dissident group’ as projected by the media. “The Samastha should remain united. It is the wish of not just Sunnis alone, but the entire Muslim community,” he said.

Mr. Muthukoya Thangal said there was nothing unresolvable in the Samastha. He said no action was being considered against anyone. “Reconciliation is our style. Why action when we can convince each other and work together?” he asked.

The Samastha will hold a meeting of its Mushawara, the supreme council of 40 scholars, in Kozhikode on Wednesday. Mr. Muthukoya Thangal said the Mushawara, being a body of scholars, would discuss things in a different perspective. “It will take its own decisions,” he said.