KOZHIKODE: Despite protest from Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the prominent Sunni scholars’ body, against fielding Muslim Youth League (MYL) leader P.K. Firoz in the election, IUML state leadership is on with efforts to accommodate him in Kunnamangalam constituency in Kozhikode district.
It is to be recalled that the progressive stand registered by Firoz over limiting the use of loud speakers in mosques and the underage marriages of Muslim girls, had infuriated the conservational elements of Muslim community. However the MYL state unit and IUML Kozhikode unit has been unanimously supporting the candidature of Firoz.
A section among the clergy of Samastha is still on a campaign against Firoz, terming him as a traitor of Islamic belief. Though later IUML supremo Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal himself came out in support of Firoz on the loud speaker issue, the malicious campaign is yet to subside.
However IUML leadership has decided that if Congress is ready to allow IUML to retain Kunnamangalam it would field Firoz. IUML national secretary ET Muhammed Basheer told Deccan Chronicle that the protest from Samastha could be sorted out once Congress express its willingness. Firoz is a deserving youngster and Kunnamangalam is his native constituency from where he can win easily, he added.
