Oldest Muslim woman in Malabar to get English education

 Mariyumma Mayanali who blazed a trail passes away

Oldest Muslim woman in Malabar to get English education

Mariyumma Mayanali of Maliyekkal House at Thalassery, perhaps the oldest Muslim woman in the Malabar region to have received an English education, passed away at the age of 98 here on Friday evening.

Born in 1927, she was the daughter of the late Vazhail O.V. Abdullah and Mayunma. Abdulla, who realised the importance of education, secured an admission for Mariyumma at Sacred Hearts Medium Convent in 1930. In her pursuit of education, she is known to have braved criticism and lack of support from several quarters at that time.

Her father, who could not tolerate the harassment from the conservatives, arranged facilities for prayer and food in the school itself for his daughter. This encouraged her to continue her education.

After she completed her fifth form (today’s SSLC), she got married to V.R. Mayanali, who also encouraged her to continue her studies.

Recalling his interaction with Mariyumma, CPI(M) leader P. Jayarajan said: “She was of the view that there should be no discrimination between male and female and she stood for equality and rights of all.”

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise. In his message, Mr. Vijayan said the State has lost someone who had left her footprints along with the history of Thalassery. “She was a guide for others. She worked for the upliftment of women and their educational rights,” he said.(CREDITS TO THE HINDU 6/08/2022)