Malappuram (Kerala), Aug 2 - Thousands of people from different walks of life thronged the Malappuram Town Hall Sunday to pay their tributes to Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, the spiritual leader of a major section of Kerala Muslims and the unquestioned leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), who passed away Saturday night.

Thangal died following cardiac arrest at a private hospital near Malappuram. He was 73.

The funeral will be held at Panakkad Juma Masjid Sunday with state honours.

He is survived by his second wife Ayesha Beevi, two sons and three daughters. Thangal married Ayesha Beevi in 2006 after the passing away of his first wife Shareefa Fatima Beevi.

Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthananadan, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and other senior ministers paid tributes to the departed leader at the Town Hall. Among union ministers to pay tributes were Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, too, has condoled the passing away of Thangal.

'I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Panakkad Sayyid Muhammad Ali Shihab Thangal. He was one of Kerala's most prominent leaders and led the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for many decades with great distinction. He was a nationalist who cherished secular values; and a social worker and a powerful orator.'

Manmohan Singh described Thangal as a leader 'who championed the propagation and importance of education. He had the strong following of his community but framed his politics in terms of larger national issues and aspirations.'

Thangal always resisted pressures to take up plum postings in Muslim countries that had good relations with India and also preferred to keep away from the corridors of power.