Thangal was voice of secular principle: PM

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said that the veteran Muslim League leader Janab Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal would long be remembered as the voice of secular principles and a practitioner of secular solidarity.

 Dr. Singh said while releasing a commemorative stamp on the first death anniversary of the departed leader

 “Janab Thangal was a great son of Kerala. He was an influential spiritual leader and a widely respected politician, leading the Kerala State Muslim League for more than three decades” prime minister said adding that as a political leader he contributed to the first successful experiment of coalition politics in India in the form of the Congress – IUML combine.

Praising the versatile genius of  Thangal dr Singh said that apart from having a deep knowledge of Arabic Linguistics, he was known for his scholarship of the Sufi traditions, which represent the best of our composite culture. Thangal Saheb personified

India’s pluralism and commitment to multi-culturalism.

 “During the difficult period of country-wide communal unrest in 1992, his appeal for peace worked wonders in Kerala. All his life, Thangal Saheb furthered the call of communal amity through his speeches and writings” PM said

Thangal Saheb’s life and work touched lakhs and lakhs of people. As an educationist, he helped establish and nurtured institutions, often bringing quality education to the most backward parts of Kerala. As a great philanthropist, he contributed immensely to the socio-economic uplift of the poor and the under-privileged.

The life and teachings of Thangal Saheb says prime minister would always serve as a beacon, guiding us in our path and helping us strengthen our glorious traditions of tolerance, pluralism and secularism. With these words. Several top Muslim League leaders were also present on the occasion.