Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Visits Kerala for Islamic Dialogue

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kerala on Sunday to meet with prominent Islamic scholar and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. This visit takes place in the context of Malaysia's preparations for its upcoming general election scheduled for 2027.

Upon his arrival at Karipur airport in Malappuram district, Anwar Ibrahim was welcomed by Kerala's state Agriculture Minister T Siddique, alongside other officials including MP E T Mohammed Basheer and Chief Secretary A Jayathilak. Their presence marks the significance of this visit, aimed at strengthening ties within the Islamic community.

The discussions between Anwar Ibrahim and Kanthapuram will occur at the Markaz campus in Kozhikode, a hub for the Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram. The agenda includes a discussion focusing on education, knowledge, and social development, involving various notable figures from religious and political backgrounds. Following these discussions, a special reception and dinner hosted by Kanthapuram is planned.

As part of his itinerary, the Malaysian Prime Minister is also set to visit the Madavoor C M Valiyaullahi Maqam, a notable pilgrimage site in the region. This marks Anwar Ibrahim's second rendezvous with Kanthapuram, with their first meeting taking place in September 2022, shortly before Anwar assumed his role as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The timing of this visit is significant, as Malaysia's general elections are approaching, where there is considerable interest from the Muslim and Tamil communities. In recognition of Kanthapuram's contributions, the Malaysian government awarded him the Hijra Award, the highest honour for religious scholars in 2023. Anwar Ibrahim is expected to return to Malaysia via the Maldives after his visit.