Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, the President of Kerala Unit of India Union Muslim League (IUML) – normally called as ‘Muslim League’ – passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Malappuram due to cardiac arrest. He was buried in the presence of host of dignitaries today afternoon. It is reported that the burial was witnessed by huge crowd who had come from all parts of the state, braving heavy rains that has been lashing Kerala for the last week. That goes to prove his acceptability to people and the regard and reverence that they kept for him.
The whole day, the press and media had been full of Shihab Thangal. Most of the channels were competing with each other to show the events live throughout the day. Being such a current topic of top most importance to the state, every bit of information about him is being brought out. At this juncture it would be irrelevant for me to write all those things.
However I felt it necessary to post this blog to say about an important element of his personality. It is said that his family is the direct descendants of the Prophet. But he had never wanted to give it any level of divinity on him. In the back ground of men and women of many religions and sects wanting to show their divinity, I am deeply impressed by it coming from this noble person not to show it in any of his communications. He lived like a human being and impressed every one within and outside, to consider him as one. Such a display of restraint in thoughts and actions can only come from a person of high nobility. I salute him for that.
Another important trait that I would like everyone to know of him is the highest level of emotional intelligence that he possessed. There had been never an instance of reaction coming from him, howsoever extreme a situation that he had undergone. Even in his own party and community, there had been many instances of extreme reactions coming from people and leadership. Anger, rage and negativities never touched him. His face and body language always showed equanimity. His advices to his people and party, even during trying and volatile situations, were very saintly. Time had proven that all his advices and decisions had stood the test of time and proved to be the most appropriate ones. To maintain such a high emotional quotient is possible only for people of his legacy.
In these days of narrow, selfish politicking wherein every group is demanding its pound of flesh, come what may, here is a leader who had been revered by the leadership of all religions, all sects and all political parties. I would even go to say that among the Kerala leaders; only he could garner such a level of acceptability from all people and all leaders. That is the true greatness of Panakkad Shihab Thangal.
Though it is old age that took his life, one expected more life for him. Our country and State is in tremendous need of leadership of this type. Equanimous, emotion free leadership, full of compassion for the fellow being. Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, with the unique personality of tolerance, empathy, positivity, love, compassion and caring, led his people very well.
I pray for eternal peace for his noble soul. May his legacy live very long!
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