Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen

The history of Kerala Muslim renaissance begins in the 19th century AD with Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal. He encouraged Muslims to settle their differences by returning to the message of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal died in 1912, but he inspired scholars such as Sheikh Hamadani Thangal, K.M. Moulavi and Vakkom Moulavi.[5] They formed the first Muslim movement in Kerala, known as the Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam, in Kodungallur in 1922. The movement encouraged Muslims to settle their differences by returning to the message of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. This message attracted educated people, and the group slowly gained the confidence of the Muslims of Kerala. The efforts of Aikhya Sangam promoted the formation of several formal and informal associations in other areas of Kerala. The "Muslim Nishpaksha Sangam" and "Islam Dharma Sangam" were important among them. The common goal of all these organizations was to promote the unity of Muslims based on the message of Quran and the teachings of Muhammed. The annual meetings of Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam gained attention by the participation of international Islamic scholars such as Marmaduke Pickthall.

Many Muslim scholars in different areas of Kerala attracted by the message of "Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam" but they could not interact due to the lack of a common forum. Therefore, the leaders of "Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam" decided to create a forum of Muslim scholars for discussing religious matters. It resulted in the formation of the First Forum of Muslim Scholars Of Kerala at the Annual General Meeting of Kerala Muslim Aikhya Sangam in 1924 at Aluva. This scholars' forum is referred to as "Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama Ahlussunna wal Jamaath" shortly known as Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (KJU). It acted as the advisory body of the Aikhya Sangam until the latter dissolved in 1934, but is still an active body in providing religious leadership to Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen.

The KJU decided to propagate the Islamic ideologies with the participation of people of all intellectual levels under its guidance. So, on April 12, 1947, in a working committee meeting of KJU, they decided to form a public organization. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen officially formed on 20 April 1950 in a meeting held at the office off "Al Manar" Magazine at Calicut. The organization registered in 1957 under the Society Act.

KNM had been split into two groups from 2002 till December 2016 and decided to be merged in one platform. This was announced on 20th Dec 2016 in front of a huge audience at Calicut beach open stage.

Both the groups have completed discussions at all levels in their respective feeder organizations and a joint sitting was held on December 20. The split in KNM happened in 2002 when a faction led by Hussein Madavoor split from the parent organization over a number of ideological and organizational issues.

The youth wing is referred to as Ithihadu Shubbanil Mujahideen (ISM). It was organized in 1967, and its main objective is to teach youth about the messages of the Quran and of Muhammed. Since its formation, it conducts youth oriented campaigns, seminars and symposiums on social issues. In December 2006 ISM conducted and international exhibition on Islam named Salvation at Calicut, which gained international attention and helped clear misconceptions about Islam. Its second and third editions were conducted at Eranakulam and Dubai.

The student wing is known as Mujahid Students Movement (MSM). It was formed in 1971 to organize all Muslim students under the renaissance activities and to promote quality education and Islamic values. MSM conducts annual meetings for students of various fields of study, such as:

• Profcon : The largest gathering of professional students in India. Students from hundreds of professional colleges and universities participate in these 3-day moral classes. The first edition was held at JDT Islam Campus, Calicut in 1995 and the last edition was held at Kodungallur in 2018 November.
• NASCO: National Arabic Students Conference
• Signs: Arts and Science students.
• ILLUMINA: Exclusive conference of medical students.

The female wing is known as Muslim Girls & Women's Movement (MGM), which was formed in 1988. The organization's main objectives are to promote women's education and spread awareness about women's rights in Islam. MGM conducts study classes and conferences exclusively for women.

Besides its feeder organizations, KNM has formed a number of specialized forums to attend to the particular needs of the society. They include,

• Integrated Medical Brotherhood (IMB), Medical wing of KNM http://www.imbkottakkal.com
• BISMI:
• ECGC: Education and Career Guidance Centre.
• Education Board
• Zakath Cells: Centralized collection and distribution of Zakat
• Hilal Committee
• KNM Publishing Wing
• Gulf Islahi Centre (GIC).

First institution of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen founded Jamia Nadwiyya Edavanna in 1964. It is a group of education institutions consisting of Nursing College, Training College, Teachers Training Institute, Arts and Science College, Higher Secondary School for Girls, Residential High School, and Thahfeezul Quran. The campus is located in Edavanna, in Malappuram district, Kerala. With a student strength of 2500 during the academic year 2007-’08, JNE has grown into a large campus spread over 27 acres of land and sufficient infrastructural facilities. A rich blend of qualified and experienced academicians and researchers drawn from various disciplines handle the sessions for the students undergoing the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at JNE.