'Chief Minister should withdraw anti-Islam remarks and apologise'; Kerala Muslim Jamaath hits out at V D Satheesan

MALAPPURAM: The Kanthapuram faction of Samastha has lashed out at Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan over his remark that Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar had misinterpreted Islam. The Kerala Muslim Jamaath, the mass organisation of the A.P. Samastha faction, has demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw his statement and apologise.

The Malappuram district committee of the Kerala Muslim Jamaath issued a statement saying the Chief Minister's remarks were not befitting his position. It also accused him of making statements about Islam without properly understanding Islamic history and the context of historical events.

The organisation said Satheesan, who is known for being an avid reader, should at least now make an effort to learn more about the Holy Quran, the Prophet and Islam. "Making statements after misunderstanding Islamic history and events, without even understanding their context, is not befitting the office of the Chief Minister," the statement said.

Satheesan had publicly criticised a controversial remark by Kanthapuram on Wednesday while speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister said Kanthapuram's position was not in line with the values of progressive Kerala and that he could not agree with the statement in any way. Satheesan also said that remarks of this nature amounted to a misinterpretation of Islam itself.

Earlier, several CPM leaders, including P.K. Sreemathy and P. Jayarajan, had criticised Kanthapuram's remarks. Meanwhile, CPM leaders T.K. Hamza and K.T. Jaleel came out in support of Kanthapuram, leading to confusion among party workers over the party's position.