Calicut: Islamic scholar and senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) T K Abdullah, 92, passed away today. He was the founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board ( AIMPLB) and a member of the topmost decision making body of JIH, Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora, from 1972 till today.
Born in 1929 at Ayancheri, a village in Kerala's Kozhikode District, he completed his education at various Islamic institutes. While studying at Aliya college, Kasargode, he joined Prabodhanam, the mouthpiece of JIH Kerala in Malayalam, in 1950. Later, he became deputy chief editor of the magazine in 1959.
In 1964, when Prabodhanam Weekly started, Abdullah was the first Chief Editor till 1995. Later he joined Bodhanam Quarterly journal as its Chief Editor. He was the state executive member of the Islamic scholar body, Ittihad Ulema, Kerala.
After getting membership in Jamat-e-Islami Hind in 1959, he became the President (Amir) of its Kerala chapter twice, 1972-1979 and 1982-1984. During his leadership, JIH Kerala faced the emergency of 1975. Many of its leaders were jailed during that time, including Abdullah.
He has contributed to translating the first volume of Moulana Moududi's Quranic interpretation text Tafhim-ul-Quran from Urdu to Malayalam and T Ishaq Ali Moulavi. He served as the Chief editor of the "Islamic Encyclopedia Project", being published by Islamic Publishing House (IPH), Calicut.
A prolific orator in Urdu and Malayalam, his speeches about Allama Muhammed Iqbal were later compiled into a book, namely Iqbaline Kandethal (Discovering Iqbal). His famous addresses were collected under the title Nazhikakallukal (Mile Stones), which IPH, Calicut, published. He has also written a book, namely Navothaana Dharmangal (Functions of Reformation) and an autobiography titled Nadannu Theeratha Vazhikalil.
A prolific speaker with huge mass appeal, he used to be also an advocate of Islamic positions during the context of Sharia debates that happened in Kerala during the '80s.
Two sons and a daughter survive him. The Funeral will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday.