Tranquil Change

In a world enveloped by Islamophobia, two institutions in Kerala are fostering peaceful conversions

- Shahina K K

IN the ancient harbour town of Ponnani, Maunathul Islam Sabha, the first-ever Islamic educational centre in Kerala—popularly known for conversion—that was established in 1900, is a place of tranquillity amidst all the fury around the conversion debates in the country. Maunathul Islam Sabha welcomes those who want to convert to Islam and gives two month’s accommodation and facilitates conversion. Notably, this is neither a covert operation nor an illicit endeavour; rather, it operates with transparency and is subject to oversight by the police, revenue officials, the panchayat and local political bodies. The architectural fusion of antiquity and modernity, nestled in the heart of the town, exudes an aura devoid of apprehension. The entry process is devoid of cumbersome approvals, with no deployment of security personnel. At the Maunathul Islam Sabha, every individual, regardless of their faith, is welcomed.

Maunathul Islam Sabha in Ponnani, Malappuram District, and Therbiyathul Islam Sabha in Kozhikode—established in 1936—hold the exclusive distinction of being the only two licensed conversion centres in Kerala. Here, individuals embark on a transformative journey, staying for a span of a couple of months to grasp the essential tenets of Islam and subsequently embrace the faith. Governed by the Kerala State Wakf Board, these institutions garnered official recognition from the government, with Maunathul Islam Sabha’s formal registration taking place on January 1, 1908, in alignment with the provisions of Section 26 of the Indian Companies Act, 1882.