Islamonweb

Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (S.K.J.U.), popularly known as Samastha, occupies a central and enduring position in the religious and educational life of Kerala Muslims. For the last hundred years, it has functioned as a guiding scholarly body, shaping Islamic education, jurisprudence, and collective religious consciousness, while responding to the evolving social and intellectual needs of the community.

Established on June 26, 1926, under the guidance of Varakkal Mullakkoya Thangal, Samastha was formed during a period of significant transition in the Kerala Muslim community. The post-1921 era witnessed a shift from individual leadership to organised collective efforts, prompting traditional Sunni scholars to come together under a unified platform. From its inception, Samastha was founded with the explicit objective of upholding and safeguarding the Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaʿah tradition, while responding to the religious and social needs of the community.

Over the decades, Samastha has played a decisive role in shaping Islamic thought and practice in Kerala. It is widely recognised as a trusted authority in matters of fiqh, issuing religious verdicts and addressing ethical, social, and spiritual concerns faced by the community. Its credibility as a scholarly institution has earned respect not only within religious circles but also across wider sections of society.

Education has remained the cornerstone of Samastha’s mission. The organisation envisions the advancement of both Islamic and human sciences, firmly rooted in Islamic principles and identity. This vision has evolved into a comprehensive educational framework consisting of multiple levels. Beginning with primary and secondary madrasas, Daras, the system extends to colleges of Islamic sciences, post-graduate institutions, and integrated education centres that combine revealed knowledge with modern human sciences and professional studies. Today, thousands of madrasas and several allied educational institutions function under Samastha’s guidance, supported by various sub-organisations dedicated to specific fields of service.

As Samastha completes a hundred years of service, the centenary celebrations are being held under the theme “Adarsha Vishuddhi Noottandukalil” (A Century of Ideological Integrity and Sanctity). The celebrations scheduled from February 4 to 8, at Kuniya Varakkal Mullakkoya Thangal Nagar, drawing scholars from India and abroad, Islamic students and graduates, representatives of educational institutions, and social and cultural leaders.

Kuniya has been preparing for the event for several months to accommodate the large number of attendees expected during the five-day conference. Extensive arrangements have been made to manage the conference camp and related facilities. As part of the centenary programme, a Global Expo associated with the event began on Friday, highlighting educational, cultural, and organisational initiatives linked to Samastha’s century-long journey.

The expo offers a comprehensive window into faith, heritage, culture, and contemporary innovation. Spread across multiple pavilions, the expo traces the moral, intellectual, and educational journey of Kerala’s Muslim community over the past century.

Blending tradition with technology, the expo features advanced digital and AI-based presentations, including interactive models that demonstrate how classical Islamic texts and scholarship engage with the modern world. Alongside this, visitors witness rare displays such as monumental Qur’anic calligraphy and artistic works that reflect devotion, patience, and scholarly discipline.

Dedicated pavilions revisit the Golden Era of Islamic civilisation, highlighting the contributions of Muslim scholars to science, medicine, philosophy, and literature, while others document the evolution of Islamic education in Kerala—from traditional Palli Dars to modern Arabic colleges and integrated institutions.

The expo also showcases Samastha’s extensive educational and organisational network through stalls representing madrasas, colleges, student movements, digital learning initiatives, and media platforms. Cultural performances, calligraphy exhibitions, children’s spaces, and community-focused activities further transform the expo into a vibrant public space that brings scholarship, spirituality, and social life together.

The centenary ceremony will formally mark the completion of a hundred years of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama’s service, reflecting on its legacy while reaffirming its ideological foundations and future direction.