Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya in Karanthur, Kozhikode, on September 13, shortly after arriving in Keralam following his participation in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The meeting was the most politically sensitive engagement of Ibrahim’s Keralam visit, coming just a day after he publicly disagreed with Kanthapuram’s controversial remarks on women. While Ibrahim acknowledged the Grand Mufti’s contribution to Quranic and religious scholarship, he made clear that he did not share his views on women’s rights and public participation.
The meeting came amid controversy over Kanthapuram’s remarks that women should remain within their homes and that bringing young women into public spaces before unrelated men could lead to disastrous consequences. His comments followed a Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama circular concerning women’s participation in religious programmes.
Ibrahim also met Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, besides holding discussions with business representatives from India, Malaysia and the Gulf.
The two-day visit, which concluded on September 14, also included discussions on artificial intelligence, Islamic ethics, education, trade, investment, tourism and Malaysia-Keralam economic cooperation.
Ibrahim rejects remarks on women
Ibrahim had addressed the controversy before meeting Kanthapuram. During an interview in New Delhi on September 12, he said he did not agree with the cleric’s views on women, while acknowledging Kanthapuram’s contribution to Quranic and religious scholarship.
Ibrahim contrasted the position with Malaysia’s policy of equal rights for women. He referred to the large number of women studying in Malaysian universities, his wife being a doctor and the freedom enjoyed by his daughters in education and social life. He said it was not necessary to agree with every religious scholar, just as there was no requirement to agree with every president or prime minister.
The issue had already triggered criticism in Keralam. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan opposed Kanthapuram’s position, saying such thinking belonged to the 19th century and pointing to the historical role of women in Islam. The remarks also drew criticism from Hindu organisations and other political voices.
Kanthapuram, however, maintained his position. On September 13, the day Ibrahim arrived in Kozhikode, he said Islamic rules could not be changed for the sake of a political party or individual and that Samastha’s scholars took positions after deliberation.
Against this backdrop, Ibrahim proceeded with the meeting.
Meeting at Markaz
Ibrahim also reached Markaz on September 13 and was received by Markaz Working Secretary Muhammed Abdul Hakeem Azhari, Secretary C Mohammed Faizi and others.
His private meeting with Kanthapuram covered education, peace, social harmony, knowledge and cooperation between Markaz and Malaysian higher education institutions. Kanthapuram described the interaction as an opportunity to discuss education and peaceful coexistence.
Ibrahim was subsequently presented with the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation’s Excellence Award, instituted for prominent personalities associated with humanitarian service, social reform and educational advancement.
Kanthapuram also presented him with a handwritten manuscript of Sahih al-Bukhari, in recognition of Malaysia’s support for international Hadith recitation gatherings.
Ibrahim attended a dinner hosted by the Grand Mufti and later visited the Madavoor CM Valiyullah Dargah accompanied by Kanthapuram.
It was Ibrahim’s second visit to Markaz. His first took place in September 2022, weeks before he became Malaysia’s Prime Minister. In 2023, the Malaysian government conferred the Hijrah Award on Kanthapuram, while international Hadith recitation gatherings were organised in Kuala Lumpur under his leadership in 2023, 2024 and 2025 with Malaysian government support.
Islam and artificial intelligence
The discussions also extended to the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Ibrahim said AI was opening new horizons of knowledge and progress but also creating challenges concerning faith, morality and human intellectual freedom. He discussed with Kanthapuram the need for an AI approach grounded in Islamic ethics while ensuring technological advancement did not undermine human values.
From religious outreach to economic diplomacy
On September 14, Anwar Ibrahim met Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, with discussions covering trade, investment and cooperation in the digital economy, healthcare, tourism, education and high-value sectors.
He also met Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Ibrahim later held discussions with representatives of nearly 30 companies from India, Malaysia and the Gulf, spanning healthcare, semiconductors, construction, AI, digital and information technology, engineering, retail, energy and transportation.
He positioned Malaysia as a gateway to ASEAN and invited investors from Keralam and neighbouring states to explore opportunities in Malaysia, while encouraging Malaysian companies to expand in Keralam and India. He also referred to the historic links between the Malabar Coast and Southeast Asia through trade, religion, knowledge and culture.
