Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) is an Islamic organization in the state of Kerala founded in 1952.[1] The organization follows the principles of Salafism, a movement that developed in Arabia in the first half of the 18th century. The Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen was formed as a result of renaissance activities among Keralite Muslims led by scholars and clerics such as Sheikh Hamadani Thangal, K.M. Moulavi and Vakkom Moulavi and Ummer Moulavi. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen is considered as the successor of "Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam,[2] the first Muslim organization in the state of Kerala, founded in 1924. KNM, led the foundation of renaissance from the corrupted practices of the Sunni orthodoxy, including false beliefs, polytheism etc, and introduced true Islamic practices to the Muslim community in Kerala which had until then been severely lacking in crucial aspects of religious and socio-civic knowledge.

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Almanar Magazine
AbbreviationKNM
MottoQuran and Sunnah in accordance with 'Salafi Manhaj'
Formation1952[1]
TypeReligious based organization
HeadquartersC D Tower, Calicut
Location
Region served
India
Official language
Malayalam
Parent organization
Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama
AffiliationsIslahi movements of Kerala
Websiteknm.org.in

The social, cultural, educational, and religious activities of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen enhanced the Islamic renaissance, and enabled the state's Muslims to create their own characteristics and peculiarities that distinguished them from other Muslim communities in India by achieving high rates of literacy and a prestigious status in Kerala society.[3][4]

History

The consensus among historians is that Islam arrived in Kerala through Arab traders either during the time of Muhammed himself (AD 609 - AD 632) or in the following few decades. Kerala has an ancient relation with the Middle East even during the Pre-Islamic period. Muslim merchants (Malik, son of Dinar) settled in Kerala by the 8th century AD and introduced Islam. For a long time they keep the Islamic beliefs based on the message of Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. Later the Muslim community divided into different groups because of religious and political reasons. By the 16th century AD Colonization and illiteracy had thrown them to a culturally, economically, and educationally deprived condition.f

Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam

The history of Kerala Muslim renaissance begins in the 19th century AD with Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal. He encouraged Muslims to settle their differences by returning to the message of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal died in 1912, but he inspired scholars such as Sheikh Hamadani Thangal, K.M. Moulavi and Vakkom Moulavi.[5] They formed the first Muslim movement in Kerala, known as the Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam, in Kodungallur in 1922. The movement encouraged Muslims to settle their differences by returning to the message of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. This message attracted educated people, and the group slowly gained the confidence of the Muslims of Kerala. The efforts of Aikhya Sangam promoted the formation of several formal and informal associations in other areas of Kerala. The "Muslim Nishpaksha Sangam" and "Islam Dharma Sangam" were important among them. The common goal of all these organizations was to promote the unity of Muslims based on the message of Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. The annual meetings of Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam gained attention by the participation of international Islamic scholars such as Marmaduke Pickthall.

Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama

Many Muslim scholars in different areas of Kerala attracted by the message of "Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam" but they could not interact due to the lack of a common forum. Therefore, the leaders of "Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam" decided to create a forum of Muslim scholars for discussing religious matters. It resulted in the formation of the First Forum of Muslim Scholars Of Kerala at the Annual General Meeting of Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam in 1924 at Aluva. This scholars' forum is referred to as "Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama Ahlussunna wal Jamaath" shortly known as Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (KJU). It acted as the advisory body of the Aikhya Sangam until the latter dissolved in 1934, but is still an active body in providing religious leadership to Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen.

Formation of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen

The KJU decided to propagate the Islamic ideologies with the participation of people of all intellectual levels under its guidance. So, on April 12, 1947, in a working committee meeting of KJU, they decided to form a public organization. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen officially formed on 20 April 1950 in a meeting held at the office off "Al Manar" Magazine at Calicut. The organization registered in 1957 under the Society Act.

KNM had been split into two groups from 2002 till December 2016 and decided to be merged in one platform. This was announced on 20th Dec 2016 in front of a huge audience at Calicut beach open stage.

Both the groups have completed discussions at all levels in their respective feeder organizations and a joint sitting was held on December 20. The split in KNM happened in 2002 when a faction led by Hussein Madavoor split from the parent organization over a number of ideological and organizational issues.

Organization

KNM have a number of feeder organizations under the religious leadership of Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (KJU) to achieve its objectives at all levels of society.

Ithihadu Shubbanil Mujahideen (ISM)

The youth wing is referred to as Ithihadu Shubbanil Mujahideen (ISM). It was organized in 1967, and its main objective is to teach youth about the messages of the Quran and of Muhammed. Since its formation, it conducts youth oriented campaigns, seminars and symposiums on social issues. In December 2006 ISM conducted and international exhibition on Islam named Salvation at Calicut, which gained international attention and helped clear misconceptions about Islam. Its second and third editions were conducted at Eranakulam and Dubai.

Mujahid Students Movement (MSM)

The student wing is known as Mujahid Students Movement (MSM). It was formed in 1971 to organize all Muslim students under the renaissance activities and to promote quality education and Islamic values. MSM conducts annual meetings for students of various fields of study, such as:

  • Profcon : The largest gathering of professional students in India. Students from hundreds of professional colleges and universities participate in these 3-day moral classes. The first edition was held at JDT Islam Campus, Calicut in 1995 and the last edition was held at Kodungallur in 2018 November.
  • NASCO: National Arabic Students Conference
  • Signs: Arts and Science students.
  • ILLUMINA: Exclusive conference of medical students.

Muslim Girls & Women's Movement (MGM)

The female wing is known as Muslim Girls & Women's Movement (MGM), which was formed in 1988. The organization's main objectives are to promote women's education and spread awareness about women's rights in Islam. MGM conducts study classes and conferences exclusively for women.

Besides its feeder organizations, KNM has formed a number of specialized forums to attend to the particular needs of the society. They include,

  • Integrated Medical Brotherhood (IMB), Medical wing of KNM http://www.imbkottakkal.com
  • BISMI:
  • ECGC: Education and Career Guidance Centre.
  • Education Board
  • Zakath Cells: Centralized collection and distribution of Zakat
  • Hilal Committee
  • KNM Publishing Wing
  • Gulf Islahi Centre (GIC).

Conferences

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen is noted for its annual conferences held during the initial stages of its formation. Great public attention began to be drawn when it decided to hold quinquennial conferences. The enthusiasm with which people have responded to the call of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen has been highly encouraging. After every conference the fame and name of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen spread far and wide. Many people have participated in these conferences. The flow of people, not only from Kerala, but from other areas of India and from foreign countries, made the conference into a large event. International scholars of repute, religious leaders of all communities, heads of states and governments addressed various sessions of the mega conferences. The theme of the eighth conference was 'A century of renaissance' which presented the Kerala Muslim renaissance as complete model of renaissance to the world, which touches all the levels of society for a complete social reformation.

Sl.NoYear & datePlaceInaugurationchief guestsTheme
11979 March 8,9,10.11PulikkalShaikh Mohammed Umar Fallata (Islamic University of Madinah)
21982 February 25,26,27,28Feroke
31987 January 1,2,3,4Kuttippuram
41992 December 24,25,26,27Palakkad
51997 December 18,19,20,21KannurBilal Philips
6 2002 December 19,20,21,21KozhikodeTo creator To peace
7 2008 January[6]ChangaramkulamSheik Tharq Saami Sulthaan al Eisa, (chairman of the Ihyau Thuraasul Islami, Kuwait)Yusuf EstesLord's message for the redemption of humanity
8 2012 December 27,28,29,30[7]KozhikodeSheikh Abdul Azeez Abdulla Mohammed Hanafi (Consulate General of Saudi Arabia)[8]Zakir NaikA century of renaissance
9 2017 December 28,29,30,31 Malappuram Religion, Tolerance, Coexistence, Peace

Institutions

In Kerala, KNM has set up many arts and science colleges such as Jamia Nadwiyya Edavanna and Jamia Salafia Pulikkal, professional colleges like "Jamia Salafia Pharmacy College", Arabic Colleges, Madrassas, training colleges and orphanages.[9]

JamiaSalafiya Pulikkal

First institution of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen

Jamia Nadwiyya Edavanna

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen founded Jamia Nadwiyya Edavanna in 1964. It is a group of education institutions consisting of Nursing College, Training College, Teachers Training Institute, Arts and Science College, Higher Secondary School for Girls, Residential High School, and Thahfeezul Quran. The campus is located in Edavanna, in Malappuram district, Kerala. With a student strength of 2500 during the academic year 2007-’08, JNE has grown into a large campus spread over 27 acres of land and sufficient infrastructural facilities. A rich blend of qualified and experienced academicians and researchers drawn from various disciplines handle the sessions for the students undergoing the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at JNE.

Social welfare

The Integrated Medical Brotherhood (IMB) is the medical wing of KNM. They provide services such as distributing medicine, providing free medical treatments to poor patients, home care, advice about health care, and treatments through "pain and palliative clinics".[10]

Publications

KNM Publishing wing published thousands of books in social, educational and religious areas. Weekly - Vichinthanam Monthly - Al manar its publications.

References
  1. The Encyclopaedia of Islam Volume 6. E.J. Brill. p. 462. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. Filippo Osella & Caroline Osella (2008). "Islamism and Social Reform in Kerala, South India". Modern Asian Studies. 42 (2/3): 321. JSTOR 20488022.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Lakhani, Abdul Hafiz. "Muslim literacy lowest: demographic report". Milligazette.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  5. "Kerala Celebrity,Celebrity of the week". Kerala.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  6. "Mujahid meet begins". Thehindu.com. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  7. "Mujahids instrumental in resisting militancy: KNM". Thehindu.com. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  8. Reporter, Staff (28 December 2012). "Ignorance of religion leads to extremism: scholar". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  9. Journal of Kerala studies University of Kerala 1982 - Volume 9 - Page 86 "Several religious and cultural organisations like Kerala Nadvatul Mujahideen, Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulama and Jamaat-e-Islami established and continued to establish their own Madrasas. Each group ..."
  10. "Dialysis unit to be inaugurated". Thehindu.com. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
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