Jamia Markazu Ssaqafathi Ssunniyya Hosts Islamic Meet
Arab News

KOZHIKODE, Kerala, 31 March 2008 — Jamia Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya, a prominent Islamic institution in India, hosted an international meeting in Kozhikode on Friday. Islamic scholars from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates participated in the meet. Eminent Saudi scholar Dr. Omer Abdullah Kamel handed an accreditation document stating that degrees from Jamia Markazu Ssaqafathu Ssunniyya, Kerala, India, are equal to degrees from Cairo's renowned Al-Azhar University to Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmad, general secretary of All India Sunni Jamiathul Ulama and Markazu Ssaqafathi Ssunniyya in the conference.

Markazu Ssaqafathi Ssunniyya is a charitable, nongovernmental, nonprofit, educational and cultural center and was established in Calicut in 1978. It has become one of the major educational institutions in south India and has 40 branches providing education from pre-school to the master's level and religious training. It has 9,000 students from all over the world, including 700 orphan boys, 500 orphan girls, and 350 poor and orphan students from Kashmir.

Govt Asked to Implement Sachar Panel Report
Arab News

NEW DELHI — All India Sunni Jam’iathul Ulama General Secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday and requested him to table the Sachar Commission report in Parliament and allocate the required funds for its implementation in the next budget. He also urged the prime minister to allow the establishment of a university for expatriates in Malabar as part of the implementation of the Sachar Commission report.

Kanthapuram said that the backwardness of Muslims portrayed by the Sachar Commission could be rectified only through proper allocation of funds and giving directions to state governments to implement the proposals. The Muslim leader said remittances from the Gulf is the backbone of the country’s economy. As 63 percent of the Gulf expatriates are from the Malabar region, it is imperative on the federal government to build the proposed NRI university in Malabar, he argued.

He also informed the prime minister about the unhappiness of Indian Muslims on the country’s growing ties with Israel, which constantly violates international laws and conventions and massacres innocent Palestinians who fight for their legitimate right for a homeland. He said signing defense agreements with the Zionist state and opening facilities in Sriharikota to launch Israeli spy satellites are against India’s independent and neutral foreign policy followed from the time of Jawaharlal Nehru. Kanthapuram urged the prime minister to refrain from forging improved ties with Israel. The prime minister assured Kanthapuram that he would consider his demands. 16/02/2008

Kanthapuram's plea to help NRIs

Decline in value of U.S. dollar

Kozhikode: Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliar has appealed to the governments at the Centre and State to come to the help of middle-class Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are in serious financial trouble because of the decline in value of U.S. dollar and the sharp increase in price of rice and other essential commodities in their home State. Inaugurating a convention of NRIs here on Thursday, Aboobacker Musaliar said people in the State who were dependent on remittances from their relatives abroad had also been badly affected by the price rise.

The Sunni leader, who is also the general secretary of All India Sunni Jam Eyyathul Ulema, expressed concern at reports about problems facing Haj pilgrims. He urged Air India authorities to ensure availability of Zumzum holy water for the pilgrims and take other measures for the Hajis to have a hassle-free pilgrimage. The convention adopted a resolution welcoming the announcement that foreign airliners would be allowed to operate from Calicut airport and the Chief Minister's decision to visit Gulf countries for a first hand feel of Non-Resident Keralites' problems. Syed Ali Baffakki Thangal presided over the convention. 13/01/2008

Scholar Calls for Drive Against Extremism

K. Abdul Majeed, Arab News

JEDDAH: A prominent Indian scholar has called for an effective campaign to counter extremism and suicide attacks.“Suicide bombings are against the basic principles of Islam. They are anti-Islamic. We need to enlighten Muslims about the negative effects of extremism,” Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed alias Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, secretary, All India Jamiyyathul Ulema, told Arab News.“Muslims should be taught that Islam does not approve of killings,” the scholar said, adding that the Ummah should whole-heartedly embrace the message of unity and solidarity “that is so beautifully conveyed through Haj.”

Sheikh Aboobacker said that all communities should promote the spirit of love, cooperation, harmony and brotherhood. He underlined the importance of preaching love among people, “particularly when the world is facing terrorism and atrocities.”He also reminded Muslims that their actions must be motivated by the love of Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Sheikh Aboobacker urged Muslims to refrain from activities that might create misunderstandings among non-Muslims about Islam. He said extremism and suicide attacks would not resolve any of the problems faced by Muslims. He said it was wrong to blame all Muslims for the evil activities of a few individuals. “Miscreants are found in every society but the entire society cannot be held responsible for their misdeeds,” Sheikh Aboobacker said. He accused the media of tarnishing the image of Islam by generalizing wrong actions of a few. Sheikh Aboobacker commended the Saudi government for the excellent arrangements that culminated in a very peaceful and smooth Haj.

Sheikh Aboobacker is also the general-secretary of the Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya, a non-profit educational institution based in Calicut, Kerala. According to the scholar, the Markaz plays an important role in the reawakening of Muslims in Kerala by imparting religious and secular education simultaneously. The institution offers shelter to a large number of destitute children, especially orphans. “Providing care to the helpless and needy is the thrust of Markaz activities,” he added. A total of 8,000 students are studying at the Markaz including 1,500 orphans. They come from different parts of India, including Kashmir and Hariyana.Sheikh Aboobacker said the material and moral support from the community helped the institution reach its present level of excellence. The Markaz runs 25 institutions including Shariat College (that teaches Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh), English-medium schools, orphanages (for both girls and boys), arts and commerce college, college of technology and Tahfeezul Qur’an College. “Preparations are under way to launch professional courses such as MBA, BBA and D. Pharm,” he said. The Markaz also runs a number of polyclinics and hospitals aimed at helping the poor. Markaz’s website www.markazonline.com can be accessed for more information. 31/12/2007

Work for long lasting peace: Kanthapuram Abubacker Musaliar

Friday, November 09, 2007

KANNUR, Kerala: Expressing anguish over rising intolerance towards humanity and the recent spurt in violence in the state, the Samastha Kerala Sunni Yuvajana Sangham today asked people to rise above petty politics and work for long lasting peace in the trouble prone areas.

"It's time we stop the tendency of indulging in ruthless violence on fellow human beings in the name of petty politics, taking into consideration the trauma and agony of the affected families and the victims who either lose life or are forced to lead a painful life," All India Sunni Jam-Iyyathul Ulema General Secretary Kanthapuram A P Abubacker Musaliar said.
Taking the law into one's hands and killing of fellow human beings, either in the name of politics or religion could never be justified and people should strive to work for peaceful co-existence and foster love and brotherhood among one another, he told a press conference.
Expressing concern over the recent spurt in clashes in parts of Kannur district, he said the law and order situation would collapse if the authorities concerned did not take timely action to restore normalcy.
Abubacker said his organisation was ready to extend all help to bring back normalcy in the trouble-torn areas of the state.

Science Education Must for Muslim Youth, Says Scholar
K. Abdul Majeed, Arab News

JEDDAH, 13 January 2007 — Raising a new generation of Muslims with high moral values and a deep knowledge of science and technology is the need of the hour, said Sheikh Abubacker Ahmad, secretary-general of the Calicut-based Sunni Cultural Center (Markaz), during an interview with Arab News.

Sheikh Abubacker, who was here to perform Haj, lauded the Saudi government for the elaborate arrangements that culminated in the successful conduct of the Haj without any untoward incident.

According to Sheikh Abubacker, looking after orphans and destitute children is the responsibility of the society. The Markaz, which was established in 1978, aims to impart religious and modern education to Muslims in India, protect orphans and destitute children and foster good relationship between different religious communities in the country.

The Markaz will be celebrating its 29th anniversary on Feb. 9 this year. The three-day event, marking the founding of the Markaz, is likely to be attended by well-known personalities from within India and abroad. According to Abubacker, 750 students will graduate this year from the institution, obtaining Saqafi degrees. Some 50 students who have memorized the Holy Qur’an will also graduate during the event. So far, the sheikh said, about 5,000 scholars have graduated from his institution. “Currently, it is the largest socio-cultural organization in south India,” he said.

This is the first batch of scholars to graduate from the Markaz after its affiliation last year with the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo. A total of 8,000 students are studying at the Markaz including 1,500 orphans. “They come from different parts of India, including Kashmir and Hariyana. The institution does not charge a penny either from orphans or poor students for their food, clothes, accommodation and medical expenses. Abubacker put the institution’s daily budget at about SR25, 000 which is raised through donations by philanthropists.

The Markaz runs 25 institutions including Shariat College that teaches Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh, English-medium schools, orphanages (for both girls and boys), arts and Commerce College, college of technology and Tahfeezul Qur’an College. Preparations are under way to launch professional courses such as MBA, BBA and D. Pharm, he said. The institution also runs a number of polyclinics and hospitals aimed at helping the poor.

Markaz’s website www.markazonline.com can be accessed for more information. Donations may be sent to Account No. 10622323294, State Bank of India, Calicut, Kerala.   13:01:07:Sat

Muslims Urged to Counter Campaign Against Islam
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 28 October 2006 — A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, secretary-general of the Sunni Cultural Center (Markaz) in Calicut, has denounced the move by adversaries to link Islam and its Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with terrorism and extremism and has urged Muslims to stand against this deliberate campaign.

Speaking to Arab News, Aboobacker reminded the enemies of Islam that their smear campaign would not affect the Holy Qur’an and its divine message. “Such campaigns have been there since the inception of Islam but nobody was able to destroy Islam or the Qur’an,” he pointed out.

“Allah the Almighty has promised that He will protect the Qur’an. So those who attack the Qur’an or try to create a fake Qur’an should understand that their efforts will be in vain,” he said referring to a fake Qur’an reportedly distributed by a Christian missionary through the Internet.

Aboobacker, who is also secretary-general of Sunni Scholars Organization of India, advised Muslims not to be confused or distracted by the smear campaigns and abide by the teachings of Islam and the Qur’an. “It is our duty to confront these campaigns by practicing the noble teachings of the Qur’an in our daily life,” he said.

“The fake Qur’an, the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet and Pope Benedict’s attack on the Prophet aim at harming Islam. They all tell the world that Islam, the Prophet and the Qur’an came to spread terrorism and extremism. These are part of a big conspiracy to defame Islam and its Prophet,” he said. Qur’an is miraculous not only for its literature but also for its great message and methodology.

“Islam has never spread through terrorism or sword and inducements. Instead, it spread through its spiritual teachings and the good example shown by the Prophet and his companions through their deeds.” In India, for example, there are nearly 200 million Muslims. They came to the fold of Islam not by force but through preaching by spiritual leaders like Khawaja Mueenuddin Chishti, Sheikh Kutbuddin Baktiyar and Malik bin Dinar. “Islam should not be blamed for the acts of any Muslim individual who might be involved in terrorism because such individuals can be found among followers of other religions also,” he added. He opposed calling freedom fighters in Palestine terrorists.

Aboobacker emphasized the need for spiritual education to combat terrorism. “We need an education system in which students are taught religious topics along with other subjects. Islam tells its followers to respect human beings and not to kill anyone,” he said. “The main objective of the Qur’an is to purify the hearts of people and make them civilized.”

He criticized the move to demonize Muslims in Kerala and other parts of India. “All Muslim organizations should stand up together against this move and tell that Islam and Muslims are against terrorism,” he said.

Aboobacker came to the Kingdom to perform Umrah from the UAE, where he gave religious lectures for 25 days. He also disclosed plans to establish an orphanage and a school in Kashmir. “We have got a 10-acre land and have started work on the project, which is to cost 20 million rupees,” he said. The Markaz currently runs 25 institutions including a College of Shariah, an Arts College and an Engineering College. The famous Egyptian seat of learning, Al-Azhar University, has recognized the certificates of three of its colleges and this will be declared by an Al-Azhar official at a special assembly of Markaz scheduled for Feb. 9-11, 2007.   28:10:06:Sat