Malappuram: One of the convivial faces of Indian Union Muslim League, Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal breathed his last at about 12.30 today. He was 74.
The Muslim League Sate President had been keeping indifferent health for a few days and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
More than being a politician, thousands adored him as their spiritual solace, raising him to nearly being the supremo of IUML.
Aside from leading the party, he was at the top-notch of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama.
Thangal rose to prominence, having been elected as the successor in the party to his brother Panakkad Sayeed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal in 2009.
However, he spent time since 1990 as the district president of the party before the top job came his way.
Born on June 15, 1947 to Sayed Ahammed Pukoya Thangal and Aisha Cherukunjibeebi, he grew up like his siblings enduring the early demise of his mother. People fondly called him, " Attika".
After schooling in 1959 at Kozhikode MM High School, he turned to religions education under Kattiparuthi Kunjalan kuttimusliar, before giving himself over to deeper religious studies and came out in 1974 with Moulavi Faizi degree.