New Delhi: General Secretary of All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama, Kanthapuram A.P. Abubacker Musliyar, has said that Muslims in India are safe and do not face difficulties in practising their faith or running their institutions, noting that mosques, madrasas and Arabic colleges across the country are functioning smoothly. Speaking to an English-language media outlet after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Kanthapuram said there were “no obstacles in anything” and stressed that his interaction with the Prime Minister focused on inclusive development and welfare. Kanthapuram also appreciated the Prime Minister’s diplomatic initiatives, saying they have contributed to maintaining peace at the international level.
Key demands focus on education, healthcare and minority welfare
Kanthapuram said he urged the Prime Minister to ensure education for all sections of society and highlighted the need for more colleges and related facilities. He also raised concerns about healthcare infrastructure, calling for hospitals and improved medical services. According to him, the Prime Minister responded positively, assuring that the Centre would do whatever was possible within its remit.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi on Monday. Kanthapuram informed that he submitted a detailed compilation of public concerns gathered during his Kerala Yatra, during which he interacted with people across the state to understand development-related issues. He said this feedback was shared with both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Had a very good interaction with Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Sahab, Grand Mufti of India. We exchanged views on a wide range of issues. His efforts to further social harmony, brotherhood and improve education are noteworthy.@shkaboobacker pic.twitter.com/HSxmCe2aUG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 16, 2026
Minority-related matters formed a key part of the discussions. Kanthapuram said he raised issues affecting Muslim communities nationwide, while also acknowledging that national highway development in Kerala has been progressing well. He requested that necessary steps be taken to improve facilities at airports and followed up on the long-pending development of the Aligarh University Malappuram Centre, urging the Centre to expedite the process. The Prime Minister, he said, assured action on matters falling under central jurisdiction.
Kanthapuram added that the talks also covered a wide range of social, humanitarian, educational and development concerns, alongside minority welfare and international developments. He further noted that broader themes discussed included development that benefits all sections of society, the importance of factoring in happiness and human development indices alongside economic growth, equitable allocation of resources in proportion to population with regional balance, Waqf–SIR concerns, preservation of ancient mosques and Islamic heritage monuments, restoration of minority education welfare schemes including the Maulana Azad National Fellowship, and the need for closer engagement between the central government and minority communities.
