{
  "id": 15533369,
  "title": "IUML Keralam chief Sadikali Thangal downplays row over Waqf board reconstitution",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/iuml-keralam-chief-sadikali-thangal-downplays-row-over-waqf-board",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T01:30:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/iuml-keralam-chief-sadikali-thangal-downplays-row-over-waqf-board-reconstitution/article71599999.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Keralam chief Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal has dismissed the controversy surrounding the reconstitution of the State Waqf Board. Addressing media in Kozhikode, Thangal clarified that grievances could be addressed in court, stating that all Muslim organizations had been given representation in the board. Those left out could be considered for membership in other bodies. He maintained that the Hajj Committee and the Madrasa Welfare Fund Board were yet to be reconstituted by the government, and those not included in the Waqf board would be considered for such bodies. The comments came amid criticism from the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama faction led by Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, who claimed they had not been given fair representation in the board. Thangal responded to allegations that Sunni organizations managing numerous Waqf properties had been denied proper representation, assuring that the board would address all concerns without discrimination. He noted that the chairman of the Hajj Committee remains a representative of the Kanthapuram faction, and the United Democratic Front (UDF) government did not alter that arrangement. Thangal emphasized that the reconstituted Waqf board included two representatives from the Samastha, including its chairman Musthafal Faisy.",
  "summary": "Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal says that at all Muslim organisations have been given representation in the board and those left out could be considered for membership in other bodies",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Kanthapuram faction to protest against lack of representation in Keralam Waqf Board",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kanthapuram-faction-to-protest-against-lack-of-representation-in",
        "published": "2026-10-18T23:47:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}