Directive to re-register mahals widen divisions within Samastha

A fresh controversy has erupted within the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the largest organisation of traditional Islamic scholars in the State, which is already grappling with internal divisions sparked by the Indian Union Muslim League’s (IUML) growing influence.

The latest flashpoint is the Samastha leadership’s demand for all affiliated mahals and mosques to re-register directly under the 100-year-old organisation, a move initiated by president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal ahead of the Samastha centenary celebrations.

The demand faces opposition from a section of scholars, who argue that the Samastha lacks a direct registration system. According to them, the call for a re-registration is unnecessary and potentially driven by hidden agendas.

Traditionally, Samastha-affiliated mahals and mosques are registered under the Sunni Mahal Federation (SMF), while recognised madrasas are registered under Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidyabhyasa Board (SKIMVB).

The dominance of scholars aligned with the IUML within the SMF and SKIMVB has become a matter of concern for sections that oppose the IUML’s intervention in Samastha.

President Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal is widely seen as being associated with the group known as Shajara, which does not favour the IUML.

Bahaudheen Nadvi, Vice-Chancellor of Darul Huda Islamic University, Chemmad, and a known supporter of the IUML, has publicly questioned the demand for re-registration. “All mahals are already registered under Samastha through SMF. There is no system of Samastha directly registering the mahals for over a century. There seems to be some ulterior motive behind this demand,” said Mr. Nadvi, calling upon the Sunni community to remain vigilant against such “misguiding demands and directives”.

Musthafal Faizy, another scholar who was suspended from Samastha’s 40-member executive body, the Mushawara, in February last year for his open support of the IUML and for disparaging the Samastha president, also criticised the demand for re-registration.

“There is no need for a direct registration. Registration under the SMF is equivalent to registration under Samastha,” Mr. Faizy said, while also voicing concerns about what he described as possible ideological deviations by certain leaders.