Sunni faction dusts off Thangal-Nair bond

MALAPPURAM: Even as a section of Salafi preachers fumes over ‘un-Islamic’ elements among Muslims in the state and calls for purification, a prominent Sunni body has recalled the  history of Hindu-Muslim amity in 19th century Malabar. The camaraderie between Mamburam Sayyid Alavi Thangal, a Sufi,  and one of his close aides, Konthu Nair, a prominent Hindu leader of that age, is the central point of a seminar to be held on Sunday at Thalappara in Malappuram  being organised by Sunni Students’ Federation (SSF), student wing of the Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram Abubacker Musliyar.

The event is  part of the Manava Sangamam campaign initiated by the organisation throughout the state last month. “The seminar is meant to celebrate the history of cultural amity irrespective of religion and caste of the bygone era. The self-compartmentalisation has become rampant among various sections of our society. This kind of approach has led to religious extremism and spread of hatred. In this context,  the camaraderie between communities and its leading figures has  to be relived,” says Dr. K.K.N Kuruppu, historian and former vice-chancellor of the University of Calicut. Dr. Kuruppu also acts as the head of planning team of the seminar.

“The relationship  between Mamburam Thangal and Konthu Nair is  oral history from which we have to take lessons and spread it among the new generation to strengthen our secular fabric. Konthu Nair was an influential person in the life of Mamburam Thangal for long, especially in resolving the disputes between feudal landlords and farmers. Thangal had also joined the farmers to fight against British forces who suppressed them,” says historian Dr. Hussain Randathani, the convener of the programme.