MALAPPURAM: Muslim League state chief Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal passed away on Sunday. He was 74. He died while undergoing treatment for cancer at Angamali Little Flower Hospital. His close relatives were with him while he breathed his last.

Hyderali was a member of the Pukkoya family of Panakkad in Malappuram. He was born on June 15 in 1947 as the third son of P M S A Pookkoya Thangal. Syed Muhammadali Shihab Thangal (late), Sayed Umerali Shihab Thangal, Syed Abbas Ali Shihab Thanga and Syed Sadeq Ali Shihab Thangal are his brothers.

He was an Islamic scholar and the Qazi of many mahals in the state. He was the district president of the Muslim League for 18 years. Hyderali Shihab Thangal became the state president on August 1 in 2009 following the death of Muhammadali Shihab Thangal. Qazi of Wayanad, SYS President, Sunni Mahal Federation Secretary, Treasurer of the Board of Islamic Education, General Secretary of Jamia Nooriya Arabic College, President of Chemmad Darul Huda Islamic Academy and President of Tanur Varakkal Mullakoya Thangal Memorial Orphanage. At the age of 30, he became the President of Pookolathur Mahal mosque and Madrasa. Within two years became the President of Karuvarkundu Darunnajath Arabic College. He was the first qazi at Pothuvettipara in Nediyirippu panchayat. He is the founder president of the Sunni Students Union.

Passed SSLC from M M High School in Kozhikode. After studying religion at Kannallur, Pattarnadakkavu and Ponnani Mounathul Islam, he graduated from Jamia Nooriya Arabic College, Pattikad in 1975. He focused on leading the Muslim League in many crucial stages. Hyderali was able to take on the leadership of Sunni organizations and the presidency of the Muslim League together.

He leaves behind his wife Fatima Zuhra Beevi and children Syed Mueen Ali Shihab Thangal and Syed Naeem Ali Shihab Thangal.