The clerics’ body passed resolutions in this regard during a conference held in Kasaragod to mark its centenary. The three-day conference concluded on Sunday.

These demands came close on the heels of senior IUML leader K M Shaji expressing confidence about the party’s chances in the Assembly elections, and saying that once the ruling Left loses power, the benefits that the community had allegedly lost during its reign would be restored.

According to the resolution passed on Sunday, the clerics’ body said the bifurcation of Malappuram district is necessary for effective administration, considering that the district has a population of 45 lakh, and for equitable distribution of resources.

In 2024, a prominent leader of SAMASTHA, Musthafa Mundupara, sought the formation of a separate state (Malabar state) with Malappuram and other North Kerala districts. In 1969, it was the Communist government led by EMS Namboodiripad that formed the Malappuram district. IUML was also a partner in that government.

In another resolution, the conference sought three days’ holiday for two major Muslim festivals. It pointed out that the Gulf countries have long holidays for Eid celebrations, and in Kerala, there should be at least three days of official holiday. At present, Kerala has only one day for Eid and all other festivals.

In another resolution, the organisation demanded that the government fix time-tables for educational institutions and examinations in a manner that does not affect religious requirements.

The conference also sought the establishment of an Arabic and foreign languages university in Kerala, which can be linked to madrasas and religious classes held in mosques.

In another resolution, the clerics’ body demanded that a research centre named after Mamburam Thangal should be opened in the University of Calicut, which, it said, would help in research on Indo-Arab cultural exchange and his contributions to the Malabar region. Mamburam Thangal was a prominent scholar during the British era.

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. … Read More

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