Full Breakdown
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Meets Kerala’s Grand Mufti Amid Diplomatic and Social Tensions
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Background of Anwar–Kanthapuram Interactions
Anwar Ibrahim first met All-India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar in September 2022 at the Markaz campus in Kozhikode, weeks before becoming Malaysia’s prime minister. The Malaysian government honoured the cleric with the Hijra Award in 2023, and under Malaysia’s patronage Kanthapuram led Hadith-recitation gatherings in Kuala Lumpur in 2023-2025.
Core Event on September 13, 2026
During a five-day India visit after the BRICS summit, Anwar arrived in Kozhikode on 13 September 2026, was received at the Markaz Central Campus, and held a private meeting with Kanthapuram on education, culture and the Indian diaspora in Malaysia. He later attended a reception at the Markaz Convention Centre, receiving the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation’s Excellence Award, and visited the Madavoor C.M. Valiyullahi Dargah.
Official Statements & Responses
Anwar praised Kanthapuram as a traditional scholar and affirmed Malaysia’s guarantee of women’s equal rights, noting the two do not share all views. Kanthapuram said the visit reflected a shared vision for intellectual and societal progress and could open new avenues for higher education and cultural connectivity between the two countries.
Criticism & Opposition
Kanthapuram’s recent remark that women should remain confined to their homes triggered backlash from Muslim women, politicians and civil-society figures in Kerala. Chief Minister V D Satheesan warned the view reflected a 19th-century mindset. Salafi leader T P Abdullah Koya Madani denounced the planned dargah visit as a deviation from Islamic fundamentals, arguing a foreign ruler should not seek blessings at a saint’s grave. A circular from Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama urging mosques to prevent young women from appearing in public before unrelated men also drew criticism.
On-the-Ground Reactions
The Malaysian delegation’s arrival featured tight security, regulated traffic and a warm welcome from Markaz officials, including Working Secretary Muhammed Abdul Hakeem Azhari and Secretary C Mohammed Faizi. Religious, political, cultural and business leaders attended the reception, underscoring the event’s local profile.
Implications for India-Malaysia Relations
Sunni leaders suggested the Kerala visit could boost bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, investment, education and connectivity. The meeting coincided with Anwar’s talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit and his earlier meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Officials emphasized the potential to strengthen people-to-people ties despite domestic controversy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Kanthapuram’s exact wording about women’s roles; some cite a direct call for confinement, others refer to a broader “circular” urging modest public behavior. No official clarification has been provided, leaving the precise statement ambiguous.