Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (AP Sunnis) explained

Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama
Founder:Varakkal Mullakoya Thangal
Type:Sunni-Shafi'i scholarly body
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:E. Sulaiman Musliyar
Gen Sec:Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar
Leader Title2:Treasurer
Leader Name2:Kottur Kunjammu Musliyar
Leader Title3:Secretaries
Leader Name3:
Leader Title4:Vice Presidents
Leader Name4:
  • Sayyid Ali Bafaqi Thangal
  • P. A. Aidrus Musliyar Kollam
  • K. S. Attakoya Thangal Kumbol

Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama of AP Sunnis, also known as Samastha[1] [2] and AP Samastha,[3] is a Sunni-Shafi'i Muslim scholarly body in Kerala.[4] [5] [6] The council administers Shafi'ite mosques, institutes of higher religious learning (the equivalent of north Indian madrasas) and madrasas (institutions where children receive basic Islamic education) in India. There are two organisations known as Samastha, one named after E. K. Aboobacker Musliyar and the other after Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar, both of which emerged in 1989, due to organisational disagreement in Samastha.[7]

Similar to EK Sunnis, a forty-member council also known as the 'mushawara' functions a high command body of AP Sunnis.[8] [9] As of December 2023, the council includes Samastha general secretary Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar; Samastha president E. Sulaiman Musliar; vice presidents Sayyid Ali Bafaqi Thangal, P. A. Aidrus Musliyar Kollam and K. S. Attakoya Thangal Kumbol; treasurer Kottur Kunjammu Musliyar;[10] secretaries Sayyid Ibraheem Khaleel Al Bukhari, Ponmala Abdul Khadir Musliyar and Perod Abdurahman Saqafi.[3]

Population makeup

Traditionally Muslims of Kerala are Sunnis, predominantly Shafi'is where around two-thirds of the Muslim population is AP and EK Sunnis, respective Samasthas of which emerged in 1989 due to disagreement in Samastha. The reformist Mujahids, belonging to the Salafi movement, make up around 10 percent of the total Muslim population of Kerala. Though there is presence of groups like Tabligi Jamaat and Jamaate Islami, by far biggest groupings are Sunnis and Mujahids.

Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (AP faction), Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (EK faction), Dakshina Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama and Kerala Samsthana Jem-iyyathul Ulama are different factions of Sunnis in Kerala, while Dakshina Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama is the dominant group in the southern part of the state.[11]

Ideological difference

Samastha began in 1926 to counter Vakkom Moulavi's Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangam—the precursor of KNM and the wider Mujahid movement. Only traditionalist Sunnis are called Sunnis in Kerala in contrast to the reformist ones. The four different factions of Sunnis in Kerala have "almost the same ideology and beliefs". Haris Madani, a young scholar belonging to AP Sunnis, in 2022, said the difference between AP and EK Sunnis is purely organisational whereas Husain Madavoor, a Mujahid leader, considers fiqh to be irrelevant.

Samastha in AP Sunnis' words

Change of name

Kanthapuram, a leader of AP Sunnis says Sunnis formed an organisation to counter the religious reformists with the name Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama. But the reformist people had registered the same name. So Sunnis had to add the term "Samastha" to the name of the organisation at the conference held at Kozhikode Town Hall on 26 June 1926.[12]

Reorganisation

Kanthapuram further says Samastha was reorganised and went ahead with the interests Samastha had at the time of its formation, when there were attempts to join with the reformists and deviate in Samastha around 1989.

Success

Kanthapuram explains people unitedly supported Samastha after its formation. He also says after the reorganisation in 1989, the Samastha went ahead with strong force, with all policies and ideologies of Samastha all over India and outside.

Affiliated entities

Samastha of AP Sunnis have several affiliated entities.[13] They include:

Other entities of AP Sunnis

Organisations

Periodicals

Notable institutions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-07-12 . Increase in suicides linked to ignorance, says Kanthapuram . 2024-08-20 . mathrubhumi.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20240713042736/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/increase-in-suicides-linked-to-ignorance-says-kanthapuram-1.9718644 . 2024-07-13 . en.
  2. Web site: 2023-01-28 . No freedom for Islamic activities in any country like that in India, says Keralite Muslim scholar . 2024-08-20 . ThePrint . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726160345/https://theprint.in/india/no-freedom-for-islamic-activities-in-any-country-like-that-in-india-says-keralite-muslim-scholar/1340475/ . 2024-07-26 . en.
  3. News: 2023-12-31 . Kanthapuram Samastha kicks off centenary celebrations . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114162725/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-samastha-kicks-off-centenary-celebrations/article67692731.ece . 2024-01-14 . 2024-06-22 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  4. Osella . Filippo . Osella . Caroline . 2008 . Islamism and Social Reform in Kerala, South India . SOAS Research Online . Modern Asian Studies . 42 . 2–3 . 317–346 . 10.1017/S0026749X07003198 . free . 143932405 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324084357/https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/5176/1/osella_ModAsianStuds.PDF . Mar 24, 2024 .
  5. Santhosh . R. . Visakh . M. S. . 2020 . Muslim League in Kerala: Exploring the Question of 'Being Secular' . Economic and Political Weekly . 55 . 7 . 7–8.
  6. Kooria . Mahmood . 2018 . An Ethno-History of Islamic Legal Texts . Oxford Journal of Law and Religion . 7 . 2 . 313–338 . 10.1093/ojlr/rwy034 . 2047-0770.
  7. News: 2022-02-12 . Sunni factions bury their differences . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828182004/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sunni-factions-bury-their-differences/article38419837.ece . 2023-08-28 . 2024-06-22 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  8. News: Naha . Abdul Latheef . 2018-01-18 . Sunni factions to bury the hatchet . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528192856/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sunni-factions-to-bury-the-hatchet/article22466086.ece . 2023-05-28 . 2024-07-07 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  9. News: Alingal . Shafeeq . 2018-01-07 . Kerala: League of Factions . The New Indian Express . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611054152/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/jan/07/kerala-league-of-factions-1746566.html . 2020-06-11 .
  10. Web site: 2024-02-23 . Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama: Kanthapuram again general secretary; E. Sulaiman Musliyar president . https://web.archive.org/web/20240307223416/https://www.thejasnews.com/sublead/samastha-kerala-jamiyyathul-ulama-kanthapuram-again-general-secretary-228627 . 2024-03-07 . 2024-07-10 . www.thejasnews.com . ml.
  11. Web site: 2023-07-04 . By revisiting unity talks, Sunni groups look to bury differences . https://web.archive.org/web/20240707121834/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Jul/04/by-revisiting-unity-talks-sunni-groups-look-to-bury-differences-2591117.html . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . The New Indian Express . en.
  12. Web site: Musliyar . Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker . 2024-06-26 . Samastha: legacy of a century . https://web.archive.org/web/20240720095416/https://www.sirajlive.com/samasta-legacy-of-the-century.html?s . 2024-07-20 . 2024-07-20 . Sirajlive.com . ml.
  13. Thadathil . Hashim . 2020 . Constructing Authenticity in Discourse(s): Debates among the Mappila Muslims of Malabar, South India . Asian Journal of Social Science . 48 . 5/6 . 449–467 . 10.1163/15685314-04805007 . 27076308 . 1568-4849.
  14. Web site: Action plan against drugs through madrasas . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710072842/https://www.sirajlive.com/action-plan-against-drunkenness-by-madrasahs.html?s . 2024-07-10 . 2024-07-08 . Sirajlive.com . ml.
  15. Web site: 2022-11-21 . Kanthapuram A P Muhammad Musliar passes away at 72 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710131924/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/Nov/21/kanthapuram-a-p-muhammad-musliar-passes-away-at-72-2520414.html . 2024-07-10 . 2024-07-15 . The New Indian Express . en.
  16. Web site: Ameerudheen . T. A. . 2018-01-23 . Big deal: Merger of two factions of a Muslim group could realign political forces in Kerala . https://web.archive.org/web/20240328212107/https://scroll.in/article/865455/big-deal-merger-of-two-factions-of-a-muslim-group-could-realign-political-forces-in-kerala . 2024-03-28 . 2024-07-15 . Scroll.in . en.
  17. News: 2024-06-27 . Publish community representation data in key posts: Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710114612/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/publish-community-representation-data-in-key-posts-kanthapuram-ap-aboobacker-musaliyar/articleshow/111302160.cms . 2024-07-10 . 2024-07-15 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  18. Web site: 2011-04-28 . Dubai Grand Mufti praises religious tolerance in India . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710121340/https://www.arabnews.com/node/375822 . 2024-07-10 . 2024-07-15 . Arab News . en.
  19. Web site: 2019-03-06 . Kerala's Warring Sunni Groups Now in Tussle Over Appointment of First South Indian as Grand Mufti of Muslims . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122090327/https://www.news18.com/news/india/ek-faction-calls-appointment-of-ap-factions-musliyar-as-grand-mufti-a-farce-says-will-elect-a-new-one-2058557.html . 2022-11-22 . 2024-07-15 . News18 . en.
  20. Web site: Samastha will develop 10,000 model villages in three years, says Kanthapuram . https://web.archive.org/web/20240710115538/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/12/31/samatha-kerala-jem-iyyathul-ulama-to-develop-10000-model-villages-says-kanthapuram.amp.html . 2024-07-10 . 2024-07-15 . www.onmanorama.com.
  21. Web site: Samastha is a model of co-existence: Kanthapuram . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715181809/https://keralakaumudi.com/news/news.php?id=1095059&u=local-news-kozhikode . 2024-07-15 . 2024-07-15 . Keralakaumudi Daily . en.
  22. Web site: Risala weekly . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708203952/https://ssfkerala.org/risala/ . 2024-07-08 . 2024-07-08 . en.
  23. Web site: 2023-01-29 . Muslims in India have more religious freedom: Sunni leader . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131005828/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Jan/29/muslims-in-india-have-more-religious-freedom-sunni-leader-2542318.html . 2023-01-31 . 2024-07-15 . The New Indian Express . en.
  24. Web site: Sunni Voice campaign activities to begin on sixth . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708204943/https://www.sirajlive.com/2013/11/05/65482.html?s . 2024-07-08 . 2024-07-08 . Sirajlive.com . ml.
  25. Web site: About us – SUNNIVOICE . 21 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240627061941/https://sunnivoice.net/about-us/?amp=1 . 2024-06-27 . 2024-07-09 . en-US.
  26. Web site: Samastha Kerala Sunni Jam-iyyathul Muallimeen . https://web.archive.org/web/20240502070553/https://sjmindia.org/#collapse . 2024-05-02 . 2024-07-09 . sjmindia.org.

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