Malaysian PM meets controversial cleric Kanthapuram, says he does not share all his views
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday, September 13, met All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar at the Markaz Central Campus in Kozhikode during his five-day visit to India. The meeting came a day after Ibrahim said he did not agree with all of Kanthapuram’s views, particularly the Sunni scholar’s recent remarks that women should remain confined to their homes.Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Ibrahim described Kanthapuram as a traditional Islamic scholar who had made significant contributions to the study and teaching of the Quran, Islamic tradition and the life of Prophet Muhammad. However, he made it clear that his respect for the scholar did not mean that he agreed with all his views.The Malaysian PM also pointed to what he described as a contrast between Kanthapuram’s remarks on women and his work in women’s education. He noted that the cleric runs an institution for women and said he was therefore not overly concerned about the remarks when viewed in their broader context.At the same time, Ibrahim said that if asked about his own position, he would make it clear that women in Malaysia have equal rights.Ibrahim arrived at Karipur airport in Malappuram on Sunday and was received on behalf of the Kerala government by Agriculture Minister T Siddique, according to the district administration.At Markaz, Ibrahim held discussions with Kanthapuram on education, global peace, social development and the role of religious scholars in responding to contemporary developments, including artificial intelligence. They also discussed socio-cultural exchanges and possibilities for peace initiatives involving countries affected by conflicts.The Malaysian PM was presented with the first Excellence Award instituted by the Sheikh Abubacker Foundation. Kanthapuram handed over the award to Ibrahim at a reception organised at the Markaz convention centre.Ibrahim later attended a special prayer congregation and a gathering involving prominent figures from the religious, political and social spheres. Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader, Kerala Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama president U Sulaiman Musliyar, Syed Ali Bafaqi Thangal, Syed Ebrahimul Khaleel al-Bukhari Thangal, Perode Abdurrahman Saqafi and IUML state president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal were among those present.The Malaysian PM also visited the Madavoor C M Valiyullah Makham, a prominent spiritual centre, along with senior Sunni leaders.This was Ibrahim’s second visit to Kerala to meet Kanthapuram. He had visited the Markaz campus in September 2022, shortly before becoming Malaysia’s Prime Minister, and had also travelled to the Madavoor Makham with the Sunni leader during that visit.Kanthapuram and Ibrahim have maintained close institutional links despite differences on some social issues. The Malaysian government conferred the Hijra Award, its highest honour for Islamic scholars, on Kanthapuram in 2023. International Hadith recitation gatherings led by Kanthapuram were subsequently held in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, 2024 and 2025 at the initiative of the Malaysian government.Ibrahim’s Kerala visit comes ahead of Malaysia’s next general election, scheduled for 2027. His India visit follows his participation in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.Security was tightened in Kozhikode during the Prime Minister’s visit, with traffic restrictions imposed along routes used by the VVIP convoy.
MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday, September 13, met All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar at the Markaz Central Campus in Kozhikode during his five-day visit to India.
The meeting came a day after Ibrahim said he did not agree with all of Kanthapuram’s views, particularly the Sunni scholar’s recent remarks that women should remain confined to their homes.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, Ibrahim described Kanthapuram as a traditional Islamic scholar who had made significant contributions to the study and teaching of the Quran, Islamic tradition and the life of Prophet Muhammad. However, he made it clear that his respect for the scholar did not mean that he agreed with all his views.
The Malaysian PM also pointed to what he described as a contrast between Kanthapuram’s remarks on women and his work in women’s education. He noted that the cleric runs an institution for women and said he was therefore not overly concerned about the remarks when viewed in their broader context.
At the same time, Ibrahim said that if asked about his own position, he would make it clear that women in Malaysia have equal rights.
Ibrahim arrived at Karipur airport in Malappuram on Sunday and was received on behalf of the Kerala government by Agriculture Minister T Siddique, according to the district administration.
At Markaz, Ibrahim held discussions with Kanthapuram on education, global peace, social development and the role of religious scholars in responding to contemporary developments, including artificial intelligence. They also discussed socio-cultural exchanges and possibilities for peace initiatives involving countries affected by conflicts.
The Malaysian PM was presented with the first Excellence Award instituted by the Sheikh Abubacker Foundation. Kanthapuram handed over the award to Ibrahim at a reception organised at the Markaz convention centre.
Ibrahim later attended a special prayer congregation and a gathering involving prominent figures from the religious, political and social spheres. Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader, Kerala Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama president U Sulaiman Musliyar, Syed Ali Bafaqi Thangal, Syed Ebrahimul Khaleel al-Bukhari Thangal, Perode Abdurrahman Saqafi and IUML state president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal were among those present.
The Malaysian PM also visited the Madavoor C M Valiyullah Makham, a prominent spiritual centre, along with senior Sunni leaders.
This was Ibrahim’s second visit to Kerala to meet Kanthapuram. He had visited the Markaz campus in September 2022, shortly before becoming Malaysia’s prime minister, and had also travelled to the Madavoor Makham with the Sunni leader during that visit.
Kanthapuram and Ibrahim have maintained close institutional links despite differences on some social issues. The Malaysian government conferred the Hijra Award, its highest honour for Islamic scholars, on Kanthapuram in 2023. International Hadith recitation gatherings led by Kanthapuram were subsequently held in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, 2024 and 2025 at the initiative of the Malaysian government.
Ibrahim’s Kerala visit comes ahead of Malaysia’s next general election, scheduled for 2027. His India visit follows his participation in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Security was tightened in Kozhikode during the prime minister's visit, with traffic restrictions imposed along routes used by the VVIP convoy.
