Ullal, Feb 1: Well-known Sunni religious leader of coastal Karnataka and Khazi of Ullal Assayyid Abdurrahman Al-Bukhari birthed his last after a prolonged illness in Kerala. He was 97.
Affectionately called as 'Tajul Ulema' and 'Ullal Thangal' he had been in the forefront of religious activities of a section of Muslim community in Kerala and coastal districts of Karnataka.
Tajul Ulema also served as the head of Samastha Kerala Sunni Jam'iyyathul Ulama (Kanthapuram), the organization of scholars and clerics under the Sunni faction of Muslims of Kerala. He was also a prominent member of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama before the split of the Sunnis in 1989.
Nonagenarian Ullal Thangal had been suffering from multiple age-related illnesses for several years.
As soon as the news of Tajul Ulema's death began to spread, hundreds of people thronged his family house near Payyanur, where he spent last days of his life.
Religious scholar
Born as the second son of Sayyid Aboobakar Chirukunhi and Haleema Beevi couple in 1920 near Kozhikode, Thangal began his primary education in his hometown. He was the disciple of several renowned Sunni scholars of Kerala including Shamsul Ulema E K Aboobakar Musliyar and Shakh Hasan Hazrath.
He secured M F B degree with first rank from Baqiyathussalihath Sunni seminary located at Vellur in Tamil Nad.
After 25-year-long religious study, he came to Ullal and began his service as the Mudarris in 1952 as per the advice of then Kasargod Khazi Velimukk Abdurrahman Musliyar. In 1971, he was appointed as the principal of Sayyid Madani Arabic College.
In 1978 (Dul Hijjah 6, 1398), he was elevated to the post of Ullal Khazi. Several mohallas of undevided Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, and Kerala came under his jurisdiction.
He has spent approximately 65 years in Sunni religious and educational activities in Ullal.
Besides India, he has toured several countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. He was also a great orator.
He is survived by five daughters and two sons including his successor Koora Thangal.
A two day holiday has been declared for all the educational institutions affiliated to Sayyid Madani Dargah.
Condolence
Several religious organizations and personalities have expressed condolence for the sad demise of Ullal Thangal. In his condolence Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader said that his constituency has lost a great leader and harbinger of peace.
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