If the yardsticks of pouncing on the fraud seers in Kerala are used in the case of Panakkad Thangals, they should also come under the scanner
So it needed one Aryadan Shoukath to say it, at last. Amid the ongoing controversies over the godmen, the politician-cum-film maker has said something one would dread to utter in Kerala.
He challenged the state government to raid Panakkad Thangal's abode, the headquarters of the state unit of Indian Union of Muslim League, the leading constituent in Congress-led UDF in Kerala.
Though Shoukath is as crooked a politician as his father-politician Aryadan Mohammed and his utterance against the Thangals has to do with the ongoing war of words between his father and Muslim League, he has said something that is long overdue in Kerala's socio-political spectrum.
No government, be it UDF or the present LDF government, will dare to touch the Panakkad Thangals, who have been enjoying a smooth ride on the ignorance of Malabar Muslims and a false interpretation of Islam.
What makes Thangals different from other godmen in Kerala?
The arrest of Santhosh, indicted by Interpol for embezzlement and by the state police over a charade of charges including rape, has triggered titillating and shocking media reports about numerous fraud godmen and godwomen from various parts of the state. Papers and channels these days are flooded with the opulent lifestyles and sexual escapades of the fraud seers.
It is in this context that Aryadan Shoukath has challenged the government to raid the Thangal’s home.
If the police can conduct raids at Santhosh Madhavan's den and other godmen in Kerala, the self-proclaimed religious head and chief of Muslim League Panakkad Shihab Thangal and Company shouldn't also be spared.
Because, the Panakkad Thangals also perform stuff like healing like these seers do, thanks to the Thangal tag, a tag arduously and meticulously used for so long not only for advancing the Thangals’ supremacy over the Malabar region but also for making Malabar an impregnable bastion for the Muslim League.
The main service done at Panakkad is healing. And mind you, the service ain't free.
During a press meet by the Muslim League at Panakkad house in Malappuram, I saw Hyderali Thangal (Shihab Thangal's younger brother) 'counseling' an old lady with the help of Quran and then pocketing the fee. All along the course, the poor lady was standing as if she was in front of the God. At Panakkad, you can witness the long queue of people waiting to get `healed' or `counseled' by the Thangals.
Thangals claim themselves to be the true descendents of the Prophet and they consider themselves to be a leg up over the others. The fact is Islam doesn't accord any such kinds of sanctity, not even the loathsome practice of priesthood. (As said earlier, these Thangals are riding on a misinterpretation of Islam’s true teachings.)
Interestingly, in Kerala's mainstream parlance, the Thangals are considered sacrosanct. Now I am reminded of this small incident happened in 2005 during my previous stint with The New Indian Express. The state government came out with a booklet containing the major tourist spots in Kerala. The Panakkad house was mentioned as a leading healing center in Malabar. Enough of government stamp.
The then Malappuram reporter of Express Jabir Musthari, (incidentally he happens to be a Thangal, but doesn't belong to the tribe out to cash in on the supposed Thangal lineage) filed a story taking a dig at the government's alacrity to sanctify the Thangals’ quack biz. But the story was dumped with a changed intro.
Even the newspapers are afraid of touching the Thangals.
All said, the Panakkad Thangals aren't all about quackery and taking advantage of the ignorant people. The ancestors of Panakkad had an illustrious past of contributing to the 1921 anti-British war by the Malabar Muslims. But now, the present-day Thangals have become an embodiment of an elite class in the Muslim community and the new-age 'healers'.
Apart from the healing stuff, these Thangals have also mastered the art of cutting the ribbons. Yea, it’s about inaugurating jewellery shops and similar private ventures. Malabar Muslim entrepreneurs are under the ludicrous impression that Thangal-inaugurated ventures will flourish like anything.
Shihab Thangal’s name can be nominated to Guinness book for having inaugurated the largest number of jewellery shops in the world! (courtesy: K. Rajeswari, Madhyamam weekly).
(This post has inspired Vasthavam Malayalam daily to come out with an editorial: http://vasthavamdaily.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-post_29.html)
Dear Mr. Firos, first of all I congratulate you to put these words here with a great courage!!
ReplyDeleteI hope Muslim community will never deny the political as well as spiritual popularity of Mr. Thangal. No Govt have the courage to open the the Panakkad's gate for a search, because both govt wants to protect their vote bank.
Haave a look at this video where you can watch the glorious deeds of Mr. Thangal!.
Excellent piece of writing. It is a public secret that neither the UDf nor LDF dare to touch Muslim Godmen generally, and Thangals particularly. Muslim votebanks are very important during election time and successive governments don't want to risk polls, alienating Muslims.
ReplyDeleteMr. Firoz,
ReplyDeleteI am not a muslim league follower. and not considering Panakkaad thangal as spiritual leader. also keralam muslim has not considering him as spiritual leader except muslim leage party followers..
can you bring any proof that Shihab thankgal cheating people and he is doing anti islamic and anti social things
you will get tremendous supprot from some people who doesnt know about him like you
Dear AK,
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows that lots of Muslims still make a beeline to the Panakkad House for various healing treatments (such as vellam oothal, etc). I didn't single out Panakkad Shihab Thangal alone. I have mentioned about the whole Panakkad Thangal clan.
I didn't say that Panakkad Thangal is doing anti-social works, etc. What I objected to was the using of Thangal lineage for his political/personal motives. I fully agree with your comment that not all Muslims in Kerala consider him as the spiritual leader. (For the South Kerala Muslims he is just political figure) Apart from the Muslim League workers, there are still people in the Malabar region who consider him in high esteem.
One should feel pity that these kinds of practices are taking place in a state that boast of being literate. The fascinations to go after the unknown and belief in god can be understood to a certain extend. But to put oneself on the feet of a self-proclaimed god man and to find peace of mind (they claim) under their shadow is only absurdity. And one fine day these god men fall like ninepins. And what happens to those followers are any ones guess!
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about Thangal clan might be true. Or let me put it this way, what if this alone is the truth? Will, any Khaki clad poltroon show the mettle to conduct a raid. Forget raid will any of our brave police officers (Sam Christy Daniel-the cop who was suspended for his connection with Santhosh Madhavan was till then in good books of many officers!) will have the moral fiber to move against the Thangal clan? What happened to Kunjali Kutty and the ice cream parlour case is well known in Kerala. Religions are always used up to cover the ugly side of people and these leaders use it to give mileage to their political ambition. Then in a country like ours those who wont use religion to garner votes could be dubbed as fool. Such is the state of affairs. And it is a fact that those championing the cause of minorities are in fact taking them for a ride!
I dont think that Thangal has so much influence in Kerala Muslims.
ReplyDeleteI think this Blogger is trying to get popularity by criticising Thangal.
If police have doubt about Thangal's property that he earned by anti social activity, they must Raid his house as they did in case of Santhosh Madhavan.
Thangal is a pilitician , I want to ask In past How many houses of Politician were raided even there is charge sheet against them?
I never said Kerala Muslims. Read carefully. I have used the word 'Malabar Muslims'.. I hail from South Kerala and I know Thangal is just an ordinary politician figure for the Southies. But from my experience of living in Malabar for more than 3 years, I know how even the non-League people consider Thangal. As regards the charge that I am out here to gain popularity, I expected these kinds of funny charges as I know that what I've done is a `sacrilegious' act.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a detail knowledge about Panakkad thangal. I know him as a politition only. But as per my fellow malabar friends, i heard loat about this person who is doing "mutta mel othal" and "vellam othal" for somany diseases and for some other malpractices against their enimies.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I learned if a person is considered as a god, or act as a spiritual person, he is doing it against the laws in islam. I don't know wether I am right or wrong.
So if he or any other thangal is doing these activities for money, i think it is against islam.
now come to the political part. For the sake of polititions and their party, nobody will raid his home because the majority of the "illiterate" part of malabar muslims are blind followers of Panakkad thangal even though they are not following muslim leuge.
The Article is formulated wonderfully,exceptionally good article, congrats to you for that.....When you know few English Journalists or some hungry politicians cannot topple an age old traditionally formulated, system of Thangal Angady,its better to leave it as it is......a humble simple advice, from my illiterate mind.But there are few Human Gods who are creating more trouble to human beings and simpleton people.Those simple people who are troubled and haggard about life,has no self confidence goes to this Human God's for some compassion and comfort in their life.Panakkad Thangal is not a parasite to the society but these Human Gods are....for the society and for your own Children. So instead of hammering your head of a wood and metal wall thinking some day it will break.......we can definitely deviate out attention to something we can do by helping a few people , by explaining why do they need to stop going and believing in such prayers and believe the God Almighty who our parents has directed and taught us.Panakkad Thangal is an institution in itself,none of us cannot do anything,can we???
ReplyDeleteThis may not be the kind of responce thats not expected of me....yet,i humbly say this and add my openion here .
at the out set let me say.. i am not a muslim league party follower ( even i am against its (league ) activities which is agasint the mejorrity sunni muslims ever )
ReplyDeletebut in this regard. let me tell u one things if any body claim that he is God / Divine himself /herself is out of Islam as per islamic teachings.. and Panakkad thangal were not caliming as God or his follwers ( out side and inside of muslim league ) is not considering like the arayaadan accused.
we muslim respect him as he is from the family of Prophet Mohammed (sa) but not following his political agenda.
giving respect to anybody is not to consider as worship. worship is only to God as per islamic law. even you consider any body as right to worship other than God is entirely out of Islam.
as mr. anilansri, said here. i dont know about that.. as i know he is not doing malpractices ( black magic ) against anybdoy (its also agasinst islam )
as per islam / quran / prophet teaching .. there is some divine treatment by reciting Quran . he is doing this as per my knowledge. some people are exploiting this treatment method like other assamees and pastors. and they should be punished..
the accusation against panakkad thangal family is only politically motivated..
we can accuse anybod blidly ..that is the trent.. but there should be a proof for it .
my personal opinion is that if any body doing mal pracitices.. should be reavealed..but not to blindly accuse anyone..
this is mulsimleague is deserve as they are blindly attacking the sholars of sunni organizations because they are not following league agenda..
best wishes..
Excellent, courageous!
ReplyDeleteAll these glorified godmenshould be annihilated,then only the gullible,illiterate people are being emancipated
First of all congrats for Ur posting.i also heard thangal doing some healing and earning money in that way.But i don believe that people considering him as man god.many people here thinking their shop will earn good profit if shop was inaugurated by thangal.i also heard he taking money or asking partnership in the shops that he inaugurate(just heard,i don't know the truth).
ReplyDeleteAs we said here its not simple to make a raid in thangals home and amirthanamayi's ashram.because the police and govt had to over come many protests from religious side.i read in news paper that if police are coming for raid in amma's ashram fishermen in that area will protest it.they saying the reason that its only amma helped them after tsunami and there is no govt that time.i posted a detailed report about all men gods in ma blog..visit and see it.click here
(just heard,i don't know the truth).
ReplyDeleteif you dont know the truth.. and if its against the truth.. then try to find out the truth and write it..
if anyone making money in a illeagal way its should be exposed and punished as its considered a crime.
let Govt. do it right way including the political party leadres wealth ..how they earned al
why indeed........should he be spared??? amazing piece of thought!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSapna anu george,
ReplyDeletei am not a muslim league follower. and not considering Panakkaad thangal as spiritual leader. also keralam muslim has not considering him as spiritual leader except muslim leage party followers..
can you bring any proof that Shihab thankgal cheating people and he is doing anti islamic and anti social things
you are saying this is amazing thought.. wonderful.. i had seen your real image ( inner feelings ) towards muslim not to thangal
Hello friend...
ReplyDeleteI just went through the write up on Thangal...Its good, sharp and to the point..However, you did not reveal ur stand on the issue...You were trying to express it under the shadow of some people who dared to question it..Expect ur firm comments and a detailed write up with ur convictions...Not with the quotes of other people...it will be a different experience...
(Just a joke man...its good...carry on)
After the bomb explosion in Bangalore one of my friends from Riyadh asked me, what is the connection between bomb blast and black Tuesday incidents in the parliament? At that time Milan Kundera's words echoed in my ears, 'the struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting'.
ReplyDeleteYes, politics is the art of possibilities. What I am pointing out here is similar incident has taken place in our god's own country. It is interesting to watch what is going on now in Kerala. Some political groups are in indulging in armed strike against seventh standard textbook. They had burned their own books and brutally murdered one teacher. The textbook fiasco comes after all those brouhaha over the Left government's witch hunt against godmen/women like Matha Amruthanandamyi, Yohannan, etc. Most of the media carried detailed news on the pranks of human gods in the name of religion. When this public anger was on the verge of turning against Amruthanadamayi and others, at first Sangh men came to protect her. They were followed by a chain Congress leaders.
It is not a secret that Sangh Parivar is pertinently using her and Ravishanker for their political gains. Whatever it may be, at that time Panakkad Thangals spiritual treatment also came for heated discussion. Not only Muslim League but the entire UDF also feared the outcome. So they planned with the help of Sangh think tanks how to tackle the situation.
Thus a nexus of UDF, Christian and Sangh was formed. This is not a secret. Now Kerala has forgetten everything, even what Santhosh Madhavan had done. Political gurus once again succeeded in erasing people's memory.
Panakkad Thangal family has a rich tradition. They are believed to be the ancestors of Prophet Muhammad. One thing you should understand that Islam is a patriarchal religion; prophet had no sons, only daughters. Then how can we agree to the Thangal's claim that they are the true predecessors of this ancestry. The issue should be debated, because other than in Kerala, there are no Thangals.
Saudi Arabia is considered the largest Islamic country in the world, holly shrines Makkah and Madina are situated there. That country has no Thangals. They are against all spiritual treatment in the name of religion. If you dare to practice it there, then you can spend your rest of your life in jail. You can't even practise the tomb pray there. Islam rejects all such practices.
The Panakkad Thangals family rendered a lot of great men; I know the family very well during my journalism stint at Malappuram .Panakkad Pookkoya thangal was among them. He was a legendary figure in the Thangals family. He was against imperialism, a staunch freedom fighter, his sermons were against them. Sensing the danger, British rulers deported him to an unknown Arab land, where he with his family met a pathetic end without food and water. That is now part of an erased history. But today his ancestor's stand on imperialism is a treat to the eyes. Leave it.
I think a majority of Muslims in Kerala never considered Panakkad Muhammed Ali Shihab Thangal as a spiritual leader. Even the literate Muslim League guys are considering him not like that. It was Manorama and Mdhyamam who introduced him as a spiritual leader for their circulation gambling in the late 90s. He is a well-educated man, but his spiritual treatment is against Islamic principles. If anybody will drag an example from Hadis to show that such practises were allowed in religion, I think Muslim scholars around the world will denounce that. Holly Qur'an never allows such beliefs; because Allah is the almighty, there is no other power.
Today Muslim league has no other than relying on Tangals because they have been mercilessly kicked out from the mainstream political milieu by most of the Muslims. So they will try to show him as a spiritual leader whenever they get a chance. History will show us how the Muslim league hijacked the first armed peasant struggle in India against the British rule.
But it is not true that this family has no importance in Kerala society. I think in Malabar they have a place not because of today's Thangals tag, but of their forefathers. They were not politicians, they were social leaders. When Kerala were in the clutches of cast forces, that family was a solace. The Dalits family used to practice the "chorunu" in the corridor of Panakkad house years ago. I think by late eighties such practices came down. Because at that time Panakkad tharavadu was a symbol of secularism. But what is today?
As always it was absorbing to read Mr. Firos’ write-ups. He has the panache to put the point across in a convincing and professional manner. As a Muslim journalist from Malappuram I can relate to his views and appreciate the importance of events highlighted through his writings. I wish him all the success in his endeavours and congratulate his courage.
After the bomb explosion in Bangalore one of my friends from Riyadh asked me, what is the connection between bomb blast and black Tuesday incidents in the parliament? At that time Milan Kundera's words echoed in my ears, 'the struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting'.
ReplyDeleteYes, politics is the art of possibilities. What I am pointing out here is similar incident has taken place in our god's own country. It is interesting to watch what is going on now in Kerala. Some political groups are in indulging in armed strike against seventh standard textbook. They had burned their own books and brutally murdered one teacher. The textbook fiasco comes after all those brouhaha over the Left government's witch hunt against godmen/women like Matha Amruthanandamyi, Yohannan, etc. Most of the media carried detailed news on the pranks of human gods in the name of religion. When this public anger was on the verge of turning against Amruthanadamayi and others, at first Sangh men came to protect her. They were followed by a chain Congress leaders.
It is not a secret that Sangh Parivar is pertinently using her and Ravishanker for their political gains. Whatever it may be, at that time Panakkad Thangals spiritual treatment also came for heated discussion. Not only Muslim League but the entire UDF also feared the outcome. So they planned with the help of Sangh think tanks how to tackle the situation.
Thus a nexus of UDF, Christian and Sangh was formed. This is not a secret. Now Kerala has forgetten everything, even what Santhosh Madhavan had done. Political gurus once again succeeded in erasing people's memory.
Panakkad Thangal family has a rich tradition. They are believed to be the ancestors of Prophet Muhammad. One thing you should understand that Islam is a patriarchal religion; prophet had no sons, only daughters. Then how can we agree to the Thangal's claim that they are the true predecessors of this ancestry. The issue should be debated, because other than in Kerala, there are no Thangals.
Saudi Arabia is considered the largest Islamic country in the world, holly shrines Makkah and Madina are situated there. That country has no Thangals. They are against all spiritual treatment in the name of religion. If you dare to practice it there, then you can spend your rest of your life in jail. You can't even practise the tomb pray there. Islam rejects all such practices.
The Panakkad Thangals family rendered a lot of great men; I know the family very well during my journalism stint at Malappuram .Panakkad Pookkoya thangal was among them. He was a legendary figure in the Thangals family. He was against imperialism, a staunch freedom fighter, his sermons were against them. Sensing the danger, British rulers deported him to an unknown Arab land, where he with his family met a pathetic end without food and water. That is now part of an erased history. But today his ancestor's stand on imperialism is a treat to the eyes. Leave it.
I think a majority of Muslims in Kerala never considered Panakkad Muhammed Ali Shihab Thangal as a spiritual leader. Even the literate Muslim League guys are considering him not like that. It was Manorama and Mdhyamam who introduced him as a spiritual leader for their circulation gambling in the late 90s. He is a well-educated man, but his spiritual treatment is against Islamic principles. If anybody will drag an example from Hadis to show that such practises were allowed in religion, I think Muslim scholars around the world will denounce that. Holly Qur'an never allows such beliefs; because Allah is the almighty, there is no other power.
Today Muslim league has no other than relying on Tangals because they have been mercilessly kicked out from the mainstream political milieu by most of the Muslims. So they will try to show him as a spiritual leader whenever they get a chance. History will show us how the Muslim league hijacked the first armed peasant struggle in India against the British rule.
But it is not true that this family has no importance in Kerala society. I think in Malabar they have a place not because of today's Thangals tag, but of their forefathers. They were not politicians, they were social leaders. When Kerala were in the clutches of cast forces, that family was a solace. The Dalits family used to practice the "chorunu" in the corridor of Panakkad house years ago. I think by late eighties such practices came down. Because at that time Panakkad tharavadu was a symbol of secularism. But what is today?
As always it was absorbing to read Mr. Firos’ write-ups. He has the panache to put the point across in a convincing and professional manner. As a Muslim journalist from Malappuram I can relate to his views and appreciate the importance of events highlighted through his writings. I wish him all the success in his endeavours and congratulate his courage.
I like the topic that Mr Firoz has chosen for this blog, really I am appreciating him. I think the entire Muslim society need to discuss this issue. Political forces and media had created this Thangal hype in Kerala society. In religion they don’t have any special privileges, they are equal to any else. In Kerala lot of Thangal families are there, Sayyad, Ideed and Mushtari are among them. As journalist from Malappuram, Firoze would be aware of Thangals and the power behind the creation of a spiritual leader.
ReplyDeleteI don’t want ot tarnish the image of Thangals family here nor have such intentions to bespatter them. But as a native of Malappuram district and by virtue of having some acquaintance with a Thangals family, I like to share my views here.
First thing is there are two sects in Islam: Sunni and Shia. The followers of Ali are known as Shias. Today Iran, earlier Persia, is the abode of Shias. Second thing is the Sayyed, Ideed and Mushtaris, all claiming to be the ancestors of prophet, had originated from Persia. Their custom and manner were inherited from Shia beliefs. For instance the spiritual treatment, Persians follows this treatment even today. Unani is a developed form of this treatment.
Persia was the cultural cradle of Asia. They are highly cultured and robust in their attitudes. No literature will equal to Persian. But their religious views were unacceptable to Sunnis. When Wahabism (similar to the Kerala Mujahid) spread in Persian Gulf all spiritual treatment was denounced as anti-Islam. Kith and kin of Prophet and Ali were broadening all over the world. One group from Persia, Sayyed, came from India through Afghanistan. Other was believed to have come in Kerala with Malik Dinar. Ideed and Mustharis were from Oman through uru (dhow).
Anybody can see Sayyad family in North India also, but they never proclaimed that they are the true ancestors of the Great prophet. The Afghan voyagers were great thinkers and spiritual leaders. Their beliefs were a blend of Islam, Sikh, Parsi and Hindu religions. They were known as Sheikh. Some views of kabeerdas were also influenced them.
Quaja Mohinudden Chisthi of Ajmeer were one among them. He was a legendary man. Kahmir has lot of sheiks and Persian ancestors. Kashmir’s still beliefs they are directly connected with Arabia. Thirdly, if you will wander the streets of Kondotty during nercha (festival) you can witness some rare rituals in the Kubba (a tomb-like structure- makbara), that is similar in Ajmeer. The Kondotty Thangals are celebrating this festival. There is no need of another example for their connection with the sheikhs. Panakkad’s spiritual treatment is also similar to that of north Indian sheikhs. I am harmonizing with some of Anas’ points on Thangals. But I have some reservation also. Please don’t blatantly accuse the Thangals families in Malabar. See they never practiced sorcery. I think they are practicing unani. Because I know them personally; once I was a sister-in-law in a Thangal family. Well I think it is our duty to check whether it is religious or not. But we should be very careful in the selection of such subjects, because there are lots of chances of the issue being hijacked by Sangh Parivar forces.
Good post and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you for your information.
ReplyDelete