Chekannur Maulavi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Muslim scholar |
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|---|---|
| Name: | Chekannur P.K. Mohammed Abdul Hassan Moulavi |
| Title: | |
| Birth: | 1936 |
| Death: | 1993 |
| Ethnicity: | Malayalee |
| Region: | Malabar |
| School tradition: | Sunni Islam |
| Notable ideas: | Rational interpretation of Quran and Sunnath |
Chekannur P. K. Mohammed Abdul Hassan Moulavi (born 1936 died July 29, 1993) popularly known as "Chekannur Moulavi" was a progressive Islamic cleric who lived in Edappal in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. He was noted for his controversial and unconventional interpretation of Islam based on Quran and Hadeeth.[1]. He disappeared on 29th July 1993 under mysterious circumstances and is now widely believed to be dead.
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[edit] Early life
Moulavi was born in 1936 to Abdullakutty and Fathima. He studied Islamic theology and Arabic at Baqiyathu Sallihath in Vellor, and at Vazhakkad Darul Ulloom.
Moulavi took to religious teaching at an age of 24, but he had to relinquish the teaching assignments he got at three leading Arabic Colleges in the State due to his ‘incompatible’ progressive views. Subsequently, Moulavi severed his ties with all the major religious groups in the State and went about propagating his revolutionary ideals.[2]
[edit] Opinions
Chekannur Moulavi interpreted Islam directly based on Quran with little weightage given to social norms and other dubious Hadeeth. eg: He had the opinion that it is only necessary to offer Namaz three times a day as nowhere in Quran, it is explicitly stated to offer five prayers a day, as is the norm practices by observing Muslims
[edit] Controversy
Moulavi’s stand on religious customs, including how to offer prayers and Muslim Personal Law and women’s rights, generated considerable debate in the community, much to the chagrin of some sections of the religious orthodoxy and extremist fringe groups.
[edit] Disappearance
Chekannur Moulavi disappeared on 29th, July 1993. According to Moulavi’s wife, Howah Umma, Moulavi went missing after he left his home along with two persons who had come to invite him to deliver a speech in a vehicle sans number plate.
Now it is widely accepted that he is no longer living. It is alleged that he is murdered by some people belonging to ultra orthodox Muslim sect related to Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmad, popularly known as "Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musaliyar". Though the role of the above group is not proven, they are defendants in the current court proceeding that investigate the murder.[3]
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This article documents a current court case. Information may change rapidly as the case progresses. |
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[edit] Investigation
After Maulavi went missing, his wife, Howah Umma and his uncle, Salim Haji filed a complaint before the Ponnani police that Moulavi is missing and is probably murdered.
The case attracted much public attention and led to a popular stir under the auspices of the Action Committee formed at Edappal.
Howah Umma and other family members later staged a hunger strike in front of the State Secretariat demanding justice in the case.
The police declared a reward of Rs 3 lakh for those who could provide any clues about Moulavi’s abductors.
In 1996, the case was handed over to the CBI, an Indian investigative agency, following several agitations. However, CBI officials could make the first major breakthrough only after four years when they arrested the two accused, V V Hamza Saqafi and Illian Hamza in November 2000.
The case entered a decisive phase in 2003, after the three accused, including the first accused, Karanthur Usman Musaliar who was absconding in the Gulf, surrendered before the court.
The CBI had sought the help of Interpol to bring the witnesses back home. But since they are witnesses and not accused, their arrest is not legal.
In late March 2008, the CBI Special Court, Kochi, directed the confiscation of the assets of the five witnesses in the Chekannur Maulavi murder case, who were absconding abroad and had failed to appear before the court though summons, followed by the arrest warrants, had been issued to them.[4]
