"Explore the rich tapestry of the Malabar region, where centuries of history, culture, and tradition come together.
University of Calicut,
Edapally - Panvel Hwy, Thenhipalam,
Kerala 673635, India
Himayathul Islam Sabha, formed in 1889 in Calicut was the first Muslim organization in Malabar. The organization focused on the upliftment of the social and educational status of Muslims belonging to all sects, especially in Calicut, Malabar. Khan Bahadur Muthukoya Thangal served as the first president of the organisation in 1889 and remained its leader until his death in 1923. B.V Imbichi Muhammad served as the first secretary.
The Sabha kept social services as its primary focus and abstained from political engagements. It handled the responsibilities of the Haj programmes of the Malabar Muslims such as facilitating the travels for pilgrimage (Haj), food, lodging etc.
Moreover, during the 1921 Malabar uprisings, the Sabha formed an ‘Amelioration Committee’ to financially help the affected Muslims. It also acted as a platform for the settlement of the daily problems faced by Muslims.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, the Sabha became the administrator of the largest Muslim Complex in Kozhikode. Mosques, madrasas (religious schools), and auditoriums were constructed under the control of the Sabha. On 16 August 1891, a foundation stone was laid for the construction of Sabha hall at Pandikasala Paramb in South Beach of Kozhikode district. The hall was constructed to seek the opinions of the members on the decisions made by the Sabha. It was also used to conduct other meetings such as a meeting of the Khilafat movement, The Annual Conference of the Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham, the Kerala Islamic Seminar, and the meeting of the Calicut Muslim Association. Later, the hall was made into an orphanage known as the Himayathul Islam Sabha Orphanage.
On 18 June 1893, it started a madrasa (religious school) in the Sabha Mosque. In 1908, it constituted a committee for the administration of the madrasa named the ‘Indisharul Islam Committee’. The members of the committee were same as that of the Sabha and later the Sabha came to be known as the ‘Indisharul Islam Committee’ from 1908. In 1912, it established Indisharul Islam School, the first Muslim school in Kerala. The school imparted modern as well as religious education to Muslim students in Calicut and surrounding areas. In 2000, the high school was upgraded to a higher secondary school with a three-storeyed building and a big auditorium to accommodate 1000 persons.
The Himayathul Islam high school, Madrasatul Ahammadiya High School, and J.D.T. Islam Orphanage were established from the inspiration of the Himayathul Islam Sabha.
At present, the working of the Committee is limited to only the working of the ‘Indisharul Islam School’.
