Mariyumma Mayanali of Maliyekkal house at Thalassery, who was 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 late Vazhail O.V. Abdullah and Mayunma. Mr. 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.
