Kerala Sunni Leader Musliar Meets Modi Ahead of Ramadan, Elections, and Centenary
Updated (2 articles)
Musliar’s Half‑Hour Meeting With Prime Minister On 18 February 2026, Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, general secretary of the All India Jamiyyathul Ulama, spent a half‑hour in a cordial discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, a encounter described as more than a routine courtesy call [1].
Timing Aligns With Ramadan, State Election Cycle The meeting occurred just before the start of Ramadan and weeks ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections slated for April 2026, coinciding with the centenary celebrations of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, suggesting a focus on political optics [1].
Yatra Conclusion and Minority Concerns Raised Musliar framed the Delhi visit as the capstone of his 16‑day “Kerala Yatra,” during which he highlighted minority‑community issues to Modi; the Prime Minister’s specific response was not disclosed in the report [1].
Political Reactions Split Between Praise and Criticism Supporters lauded Musliar’s outreach to the central government, while critics condemned his Urdu‑media claim that Muslims face no major problems under the BJP, interpreting the statement as softening opposition to government policies; traditionally aligned with the Left Democratic Front, Musliar’s neutral stance attracted leaders from both the LDF and opposition at his Yatra finale on 16 January 2026 [1].
Call for Samastha Reunification Gains Broad Support Musliar urged the reunification of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a plea welcomed by the rival Samastha faction and the Indian Union Muslim League, though analysts deem it unlikely to alter Kerala’s overall political balance [1].
Timeline
May 2025 – India and Pakistan engage in a four‑day armed clash in the Kashmir region, reigniting tensions and prompting Pakistan to accuse India of fueling terrorism through proxies such as Burhan Wani and separatist Syed Ali Geelani [2].
Jan 16, 2026 – Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar concludes a 16‑day “Kerala Yatra” with a half‑hour, cordial meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, using the encounter to cap his tour and raise minority concerns while keeping the Prime Minister’s response undisclosed [1].
Jan 16, 2026 – Leaders from Kerala’s Left Democratic Front, opposition parties, and rival Samastha factions attend Musliar’s Yatra finale, underscoring his strategic neutrality despite Samastha’s traditional backing of the LDF [1].
Jan 2026 (ahead of Ramadan) – Musliar frames the Delhi meeting as a symbolic gesture timed before Ramadan, ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections and the centenary celebration of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulma, highlighting political optics over concrete policy demands [1].
Jan 2026 – Musliar publicly urges the reunification of the two Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulma factions, a call welcomed by the rival faction and the Indian Union Muslim League but unlikely to shift Kerala’s political balance [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir Assembly on Kashmir Solidarity Day, declaring that “Kashmir will become a part of Pakistan” and invoking UN Security Council resolutions and Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s “jugular vein” description to legitimize the claim [2].
Feb 5‑6, 2026 – Nationwide rallies, a minute of silence at 10 a.m., and coordinated statements from President Asif Ali Zardari, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu demonstrate Pakistan’s unified political and military support for the Kashmiri cause [2].
Feb 5‑6, 2026 – Field Marshal Asim Munir visits Muzaffarabad and a forward post, warning that any aggression against Kashmir will meet a swift response, reinforcing Pakistan’s pledge of “unwavering” moral, diplomatic and political backing [2].
2026 (later in the year) – Kerala prepares for its Assembly elections, with the Samastha centenary and Musliar’s outreach potentially influencing voter sentiment and inter‑community dynamics ahead of the poll [1].