IUML chief Keralam Sadikali Thangal downplays row over Waqf board reconstitution

Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal on Sunday downplayed the controversy over the reconstitution of the state Waqf Board.

He told the media here that those who have grievances can go to court. Mr. Thangal claimed that all Muslim organizations were represented on the board and those left out could be considered for membership in other bodies.

“Bodies like the Hajj Committee and the Madrasa Welfare Fund Board must be reconstituted by the government. Those who were not included in the Waqf board will be treated as such bodies,” Mr Thangal said.

Amid criticism

His comments come in the backdrop of criticism from the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama faction led by Kanthapuram Sunni scholar AP Aboobacker Musliar that they were not given fair representation in the board.

Responding to allegations that Sunni organizations managing a large number of Waqf properties, such as the Kanthapuram faction, were denied proper representation, Mr. Thangal said the board would address all such concerns without any discrimination. He said the chairman of the Hajj Committee was still the representative of the Kanthapuram faction and the United Democratic Front (UDF) government had not changed the arrangement.

He also claimed that the reconstituted Waqf Board included representatives associated with Samastha. “There are two representatives from Samastha. One is the chairman himself who is among its prominent members. Mustafal Faisy is also from Samastha,” said Mr Thangal.

Published – 18 Oct 2026 20:01 IST