The Kerala Muslim Jamaat has condemned Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s remarks that veteran Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar had misinterpreted Islam. It demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw the statement and apologise to the Muslim community.

In a statement issued in Malappuram on Wednesday (September 2, 2026), the Muslim Jamaat said Mr. Satheesan had misunderstood Islamic history and events and commented on them without properly considering their context. Such remarks, it said, were unbecoming of the office of the Chief Minister.

The Muslim Jamaat also took exception to the Chief Minister’s claim of being an avid reader and urged him to study the Koran, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and Islamic history in their proper context.

Kanthapuram’s directive

The remarks followed a controversy over a directive by Mr. Kanthapuram against allowing women to participate in religious celebrations in public places.

The directive came amid reports that youth clubs in some places were extending Prophet Muhammad’s 1,501st birthday celebrations beyond mosques and madrasas to include entertainment programmes.

Mr. Kanthapuram reiterated his position at a meeting in Kochi, saying women should preferably remain at home rather than mingle with unrelated men in public spaces. He also defended purdah and the veil as safeguards for Muslim women.

Criticism from several quarters

His remarks drew protests from several quarters, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India (SFI). Some Congress leaders also criticised him. Mr. Satheesan subsequently said that Mr. Kanthapuram had misinterpreted Islam.

Kerala Muslim Jamaat leaders Oorakam Abdurahman Saqafi, E.K. Mohammed Koya Saqafi, K.P. Jamal Karulai, Basheer Haji Padikkal, Syed K.K.S. Thangal Faizy and Mohammed Haji Munniyoor spoke at a meeting held in Malappuram on Wednesday.