Sayyid Abdurahman Imbichikoya Thangal Al-Aydarusi Al-Azhari ( السيد عبد الرحمان العيدروس الأزهري تنكل), also known as Azhari Thangal (അസ്ഹരി തങ്ങള്) was the President of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, the largest Muslim organisation[2] in Kerala, India. He was selected as the vice president in 1993 and two years later appointed as the President following the death of K K Aboobacker Hazrath.[3] He was nominated by Shams-ul-Ulama E. K. Aboobacker Musliyar.
Early life and family
Azhari Thangal's father Sayyid Muhammed Kochukoya Thangal is the first scholar from Sayyid family in Kerala to get Al-Baqavi graduation from Baqiyat Salihat Arabic College.[4] Azhari Thangal is a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad,[5] through his grandson Husayn.[6] He is survived by eleven children and three wives.[7]
Education and career
He first learned religion from his father, studied in Dars at Orumanayur, Kallor, Njamanangad, Vailathur Masjids. He served as Mudaris (preacher teacher) at Thalakkadathur Juma Masjid. He completed degree Baqavi from Baqiyat Salihat Arabic College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu in 1951[8] and Qasimi from Darul Uloom Deoband, Uttar Pradesh in 1956. He left for Egypt for further studies and obtained his Al-Azhar degree from Al Azhar University.[9] While pursuing post Graduation in Cairo University after completion of Librarian degree, he moved to Libya for joining as faculty in The Islamic University of Asaied Mohamed Bin Ali Al Sanussi. Later he moved to Saudi Arabia and served as professor for more than 20 years under Saudi Government and Riyadh University colleges [10] at Khulays and Wadi Addawasir respectively.[11]
Kerala University Department of Arabic Alumni Association (KUDAAA) starts to institute the annual Azhari Thangal Excellency Award, to honour the outstanding achievements in Contribution to promotion and growth of Arabic Language in Kerala from 2019.[16][17][18]
^Pg 8, LIFE AND CONTEIBUTIONS OF SAYYID ABDURAHMAN AL AYDERUSI AL AZHARI: BY YOONUS ASLAM K, published by - Darul Huda Islamic University, Chemmad, 2015
