Editing Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar


{{short description|Grand Mufti of India, Nepal, Bhutan and other countries living Indian origins}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| honorific-prefix   = 
| name               = Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad
| honorific-suffix   = 
| native_name        = A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar
| native_name_lang   = ml
| image              = Sheikh Abubakr receiving an Award by OIC Today.jpg
| alt                = A man in suit and tie hands a large glass and wood award statue to a man in sheikh robes on stage
| caption            = Musliyar receiving an Award by OIC Today, Malaysia
| pronunciation      = Šayḫ Abūbakr ʾAḥmad
| module             = {{ Listen |embed= yes |filename = Sheikh_Abubakr_Ahmad.ogg | title =Pronunciation of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad| type = speech| description = Updated on September 2019 }}
| birth_name         = Aboobacker
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1931|03|22}}<ref name="About">{{cite web | url=https://sheikhabubakrahmad.com/About | title=About Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad | access-date=8 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508054344/https://sheikhabubakrahmad.com/About | archive-date=8 May 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|name=dob-q|His data of birth is given twice in the current and May 2019 versions of the source, once as 22 March 1931 and once as 22 March 1939.  This was a change from a 2018 version of the same source, which said 22 March 1939 in both places that mentioned his date of birth.<ref name="About" />}}
| birth_place        = [[Kanthapuram]], [[Kozhikode district]], [[British India]]
| nationality        = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| other_names        = 
| education          = 
| years_active       = 
| era                = 
| organization       = 
| known_for          = First to issue Fatwa against ISIS
| notable_works      = ''Fatwa of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad on ISIS''
| spouse             = Zainab
| title              = 
| honors             = Listed in [[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]] (2009–2020)
| religion           = [[Islam]]
| denomination       = [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]]
| Madh'hab           = [[Shafi‘i]]
| movement           = 
| founder            = '''All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama''' and [[Markazu Saqafathi Sunniyya|Markaz]]<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Filippo |last1=Osella |first2=Caroline |last2=Osella |title=Islamism and Social Reform in Kerala, South India |journal=Modern Asian Studies |year=2008 |volume=42 |issue=2/3 |page=327 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X07003198 |jstor=20488022|s2cid=143932405 |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/5176/1/osella_ModAsianStuds.PDF }}</ref> (current chancellor)
| subsect            = 
| alma_mater         = [[Baqiyat Salihat Arabic College]]
| home_town          = Kanthapuram
| ethnicity          = [[Malayali]]
| literary_works     = [[#Literary works|See the list]]
| profession         = 
| signature          = 
| background         = lightgreen
| website            = {{URL|sheikhabubakrahmad.com/|Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad}}
| office1            = [[Grand Mufti of India]]
| term1              = 24 February 2019 -
| predecessor1       = [[Akhtar Raza Khan]]
| official_name      = مفتي جمهورية الهند، الشيخ أبوبكر أحمد
| module3            = {{Infobox manner of address
| embed = yes
| type = Grand Mufti
| name = Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad
| image =  
| religious = [[Mufti|Mufti Azam-e-Hind]], and [[Mufti|Mufti al-Diyar al-Hindiyyah]] 
| background=gold
}}
}}
{{Islam in India}}
'''Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar''' known as <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE SHEIKH ABUBAKR'S NAME. -->'''Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad'''{{efn|Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad (Šayḫ Abūbakr ʾAḥmad) is the official name of the Grand Mufti. The Sheikh, the first part of the name like the name of [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]], [[Sheikh Hasina]], is not a honorific prefix. His official website is also sheikhabubakrahmad.com}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/12-02-2020/a-mufti-day-is-enormous-fun-but-time-to-give-it-a-new-name/|title=A mufti day is enormous fun. But time to give it a new name|last=Pickles|first=Katie|date=12 February 2020|website=The Spinoff|access-date=4 April 2020|quote=Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is the Indian Islamic community's current most senior religious authority. Mufti interpret Islamic law and then issue fatwa (legal opinion).}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302736995|title=Indian subcontinent religious leaders hail Pope Francis and Sheikh Al Azhar meeting|website=wam|date=2 April 2019 |access-date=4 April 2020|quote=Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, General Secretary of the Muslim Scholars Organisation of India and President of the Islamic Education Board of India, told WAM that...}}</ref> (Born as&nbsp;''A. P. Aboobacker'' at ''Kanthapuram''&nbsp;on 22 March 1931)<ref name="About" />{{efn|name=dob-q}} is the tenth and current [[Grand Mufti of India]].<ref name="Times of India 27 Feb 2019">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kanthapuram-selected-grand-mufti-of-india/articleshow/68175547.cms |title=Kanthapuram selected Grand Mufti of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]] |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228040429/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kanthapuram-selected-grand-mufti-of-india/articleshow/68175547.cms |archive-date=28 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mathrubhumi3599882A">{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kanthapuram-elected-as-new-grand-mufti-religion-1.3599882|title=Kanthapuram elected as new Grand Mufti|website=Mathrubhumi|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103254/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kanthapuram-elected-as-new-grand-mufti-religion-1.3599882|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="marunadanmalayali138874">{{Cite web|url=https://www.marunadanmalayali.com/news/special-report/kanthapuram-grand-mufti-138874|title=കാന്തപുരം എത്തപ്പെടുന്നത് സുന്നി-സൂഫി മുസ്ലിം സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ ഇന്ത്യയിലെ പരമോന്നത നേതാവ്...|website=marunadanmalayali.com|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103228/https://www.marunadanmalayali.com/news/special-report/kanthapuram-grand-mufti-138874|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mathrubhumi3598829">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/print-edition/india/kanthapuram-abubakkar-musliyar-selected-as-grand-mufty--1.3598829|title=കാന്തപുരം എ.പി. അബൂബക്കർ മുസ്‌ലിയാർ ഗ്രാൻഡ് മുഫ്തി|website=Mathrubhumi|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225033109/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/print-edition/india/kanthapuram-abubakkar-musliyar-selected-as-grand-mufty--1.3598829|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jaihindtv.in/kanthapuram-ap-aboobakkar-musliar-as-grant-mufti/|title=കാന്തപുരം എ പി അബൂബക്കര്‍ മുസ്ലിയാരെ ഗ്രാന്റ് മുഫ്തിയായി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു|date=24 February 2019|publisher=Jaihind TV|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103046/https://jaihindtv.in/kanthapuram-ap-aboobakkar-musliar-as-grant-mufti/|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The News Minute 116996">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-need-not-participate-caa-protests-men-aboobacker-musliyar-stokes-row-116996|website=thenewsminute.com|access-date=6 February 2020|title=Aboobacker Musliyar stokes row|date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206204419/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-need-not-participate-caa-protests-men-aboobacker-musliyar-stokes-row-116996|archive-date=6 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also the Chancellor of the [[Markazu Saqafathi Sunniyya|Jamia Markaz]], Chairman of the [[Siraj Daily]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/abu-dhabi-police-siraj-malayalam-daily-sign-mou|title=Abu Dhabi Police, Siraj Malayalam Daily sign MoU|website=Khaleej Times|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902055232/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/abu-dhabi-police-siraj-malayalam-daily-sign-mou|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/media/news/pages/sign.sigaj.aspx|title=Understanding between ADP and "Siraj" to enhance media communication with the Indian Community|website=adpolice.gov.ae|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902055235/https://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/media/news/pages/sign.sigaj.aspx|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/news/kerala-daily-signs-mou-with-abu-dhabi-police-news-international-kgotkcecahasi.html|title=Kerala daily signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Police|website=Sify|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902055937/https://www.sify.com/news/kerala-daily-signs-mou-with-abu-dhabi-police-news-international-kgotkcecahasi.html|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> and General Secretary of the [[All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama]] (the Indian Muslim Scholars Association).

==Grand Mufti of India==
Musliyar was chosen as the [[Grand Mufti of India]] by the [[All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam|All India Tanzeem Ulamae Islam]] in a programme conducted at [[Ramlila Maidan]] after the death of Grand Mufti [[Akhtar Raza Khan]], following an illness on 20 July 2018.<ref name="Times of India 27 Feb 2019" /><ref name="The Hindu 26379629">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-grand-mufti-of-sunnis-in-india/article26379629.ece|title=Kanthapuram Grand Mufti of Sunnis in India|date=February 27, 2019|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=7 August 2019 |author=Special Correspondent|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227203248/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-grand-mufti-of-sunnis-in-india/article26379629.ece|archive-date=27 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mulla221">{{cite book |last1=Mulla |first1=Malikarehana A |title=Sects and sub sects among the Muslims of Karnataka with special reference to North Karnataka a study |chapter= 6 |page=221 |chapter-url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/105032/11/11_chapter%206.pdf#page=22 |access-date=27 February 2020 |quote=In India, the Grand Mufti is traditionally from the Barelvi school of Sunni Islam presently Mihammad Akhtar Raza Khan is the Grand Mufti of India.}}</ref><ref name="2018-07-22 Muslim Mirror">{{Cite news |url=http://muslimmirror.com/eng/renowned-barelvi-cleric-mufti-akhtar-raza-khan-passes-away/|title=Renowned Barelvi cleric Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan passed away, lakhs attend final journey |work=Muslim Mirror |date=22 July 2018|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327073843/http://muslimmirror.com/eng/renowned-barelvi-cleric-mufti-akhtar-raza-khan-passes-away/|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="patrika3140733">{{cite web|url=https://www.patrika.com/bareilly-news/azahari-miyan-janaze-mein-jan-sailaab-ki-photo-3140733/|title=अजहरी मियां के जनाजे में दिखा जो जनसैलाब, आपने कभी नहीं देखा होगा, देखें तस्वीरें|website=[[Rajasthan Patrika]]|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327122242/https://www.patrika.com/bareilly-news/azahari-miyan-janaze-mein-jan-sailaab-ki-photo-3140733/|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="India Times 65075272">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/noted-barelvi-cleric-azhari-miyan-dies/articleshow/65075272.cms|title=Noted Barelvi cleric Azhari Miyan dies|website=[[The Times of India]]|issn=0971-8257|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411094834/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/noted-barelvi-cleric-azhari-miyan-dies/articleshow/65075272.cms|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The inauguration took place on Sunday, February 24, 2019. It set a record attendance for any event held in [[Ramlila Maidan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-need-not-participate-caa-protests-men-aboobacker-musliyar-stokes-row-116996|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=2020-02-28|title='Women need not participate in CAA protests like men,' Aboobacker Musliyar stokes row &#124; the News Minute|date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206204419/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-need-not-participate-caa-protests-men-aboobacker-musliyar-stokes-row-116996|archive-date=February 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=indiatimes68175547>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kanthapuram-selected-grand-mufti-of-india/articleshow/68175547.cms|title=Kanthapuram selected Grand Mufti of India|date=February 27, 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228040429/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kanthapuram-selected-grand-mufti-of-india/articleshow/68175547.cms|archive-date=February 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

After his election conducted several receptions in various countries including [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]], [[Bahrain]], [[Kuwait]], [[Oman]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]] especially at his birthplace in India, [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]. Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly [[P Sreeramakrishnan|Sri P. Sreeramakrishnan]], Kerala Minister [[T. P. Ramakrishnan|TP Ramakrishnan]], Karnataka Ministers [[U. T. Khader|UT Khader]] and [[Rahim Khan (politician)|Rahim Khan]], and [[A. Pradeepkumar|A Pradeepkumar]] member of 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly, Kerala Haj Committee chairman C Mohammed Faizi, Tamil Nadu Haj Committee chairman Haji Abdul Jabbar, [[Mayor of Kozhikode|Mayor of Kozhikode Thottathil Raveendran]], [[Zamorin of Calicut|Zamorin K.C. Unniyanujan Raja]] and [[M. G. S. Narayanan|Dr MGS Narayanan]], politicians, religious and cultural leaders including from other Indian states participated in the civil reception.<ref name="The Hindu 26413125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/grand-mufti-calls-for-talks-not-war-to-resolve-indo-pak-issues/article26413125.ece|title=Grand Mufti calls for talks, not war, to resolve Indo-Pak issues |date=2 March 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 August 2019 |author=Special Correspondent  |issn=0971-751X }}</ref><ref name="India Times 68227741">{{Cite news  |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/grant-full-membership-to-india-kanthapuram-to-oic/articleshow/68227741.cms |title=Grant full membership to India: Kanthapuram to OIC {{!}} Kozhikode News |date=2 March 2019 |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]] |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=7 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303050344/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/grant-full-membership-to-india-kanthapuram-to-oic/articleshow/68227741.cms |archive-date=3 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the function, Minister T. P. Ramakrishnan expressed appreciations to the Grand Mufti for the [[Government of Kerala]]. You have got a golden visa for 10 years from the Dubai government, you are the first Muslim in India to get this honor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grand Mufti of India को UAE ने Golden Visa से सम्मानित किया|url=https://www.wpnews18.com/2021/10/grand-mufti-of-india-uae-golden-visa.html|access-date=2021-10-16}}</ref>

==Peace and interfaith dialogue work==
Musliyar has conducted and attended many national and international conferences for peace and interfaith dialogue.<ref name="2019-02-24 Times Headline">{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesheadline.com/india/muhammad-bin-salman-must-be-declared-as-war-criminal-ulema-e-islam-30040.html|title=Muhammad bin Salman must be declared as war criminal: Ulema E Islam |date=24 February 2019|website=The Times Headline|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030829/https://www.timesheadline.com/india/muhammad-bin-salman-must-be-declared-as-war-criminal-ulema-e-islam-30040.html|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/year-of-zayed/peace-conference-in-kerala-to-pay-tributes-to-sheikh-zayed|title=Peace meet in Kerala to pay tributes to Sheikh Zayed|last=Kumar|first=Ashwani|website=Khaleej Times|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402130906/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/year-of-zayed/peace-conference-in-kerala-to-pay-tributes-to-sheikh-zayed|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.justicenews.co.in/hyderabad-call-for-law-against-violence-on-minorities/|title=Hyderabad: Call for law against violence on minorities|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030829/https://www.justicenews.co.in/hyderabad-call-for-law-against-violence-on-minorities/|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

He is the Chairman of the Sheikh Zayed International Peace Conference and was one of the speakers at the First World Tolerance Summit, conducted by the International Institute for Tolerance Dubai, UAE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.almaghribtoday.net/en/314/sheikh-zayed-international-peace-conference-begins|title=Sheikh Zayed International Peace Conference begins |website=Almaghrib Today|language=ar-aa|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030825/https://www.almaghribtoday.net/en/314/sheikh-zayed-international-peace-conference-begins|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="menafn1096324357">{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.aspx?storyid=1096324357&title=UAE-at-forefront-of-international-charity-action-Hamdan-bin-Zayed&src=RSS|title=UAE at forefront of international charity action: Hamdan bin Zayed|website=menafn.com|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecssr.ae/en/reports_analysis/world-needs-to-take-inspiration-from-sheikh-zayed/|title=World Needs to Take Inspiration from Sheikh Zayed {{!}} Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030825/https://www.ecssr.ae/en/reports_analysis/world-needs-to-take-inspiration-from-sheikh-zayed/|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Arab News 677846">{{Cite news |url=https://www.arabnews.com/world/news/677846|title=Scholars call for embracing message of Islam for peace|date=22 December 2014|website=Arab News|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216160924/http://www.arabnews.com/world/news/677846|archive-date=16 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldtolerancesummit.com/en-US/Speakers|title=Speakers{{Snd}} World Tolerance Summit|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030832/https://www.worldtolerancesummit.com/en-US/Speakers|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bna.bh/en/index.aspx|title=Bahrain News Agency|website=bna.bh|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902233604/https://www.bna.bh/en/index.aspx|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The tagline of the second Sheikh Zayed International Peace Conference was "Renaissance of the World Through Peace".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395273947516|title=UAE-Indian relations have witnessed great development: Indian Ambassador|website=wam|date=17 December 2014 |access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030829/http://wam.ae/en/details/1395273947516|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019 he attended [[Document on Human Fraternity|Global Conference of Human Fraternity]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amma.org/news/historic-meeting-grand-imam-al-azhar-al-sharif-and-pope-catholic-church|title=Historic Meeting with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Pope of the Catholic Church {{!}} amma.org|website=amma.org|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902034137/https://amma.org/news/historic-meeting-grand-imam-al-azhar-al-sharif-and-pope-catholic-church|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="20190206 Embracing The World">{{Cite web|url=http://www.embracingtheworld.org/news/human-brotherhood/|title=Historic interfaith conference with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Pope of the Catholic Church|date=6 February 2019|website=Embracing The World|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910083957/http://www.embracingtheworld.org/news/human-brotherhood/|archive-date=10 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and met with [[Pope Francis]], [[Hierarchy of the Catholic Church|head of the Catholic Church]].<ref name="Arabian Business 412576">{{Cite news |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/412576-uae-leaders-receive-pope-francis-as-religions-come-together|title=UAE leaders receive Pope Francis as religions come together|last=Bridge|first=Sam|website=ArabianBusiness.com|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902034128/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/412576-uae-leaders-receive-pope-francis-as-religions-come-together|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302736995|title=Indian subcontinent religious leaders hail Pope Francis and Sheikh Al Azhar meeting|website=wam|date=2 April 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902034127/http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302736995|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014 he launched a campaign to plant 100,000 trees throughout India as part of preparations for the Sheikh Zayed International Peace Conference, held in New Delhi.<ref name="WAM 2 Sep 2019">{{Cite web|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395271883361|title=Sheikh Zayed's peace initiatives remembered|website=wam|date=11 April 2014 |access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902030825/http://wam.ae/en/details/1395271883361|archive-date=2 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Educational revivalist==
[[File:Sunni Markaz conference 2013.jpg|thumb|Sunni Markaz conference 2013]]
Musliyar educated several scholars from different parts of India.<ref name="The Hindu 15147532">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Kashmiri-Bhavan-to-be-opened-today/article15147532.ece|title=Kashmiri Bhavan to be opened today|date=21 January 2008|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 2004121305">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/13/stories/2004121305110400.htm|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|title=Kerala News : Children from Kashmir arrive to a warm welcome|date=13 December 2004}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He is involved with Markaz Knowledge City, Unani Medical College, and with higher education and research.<ref name="saudigazette.com.sa">{{Cite news|url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/152027/Jamia-Markaz-India-A-saga-of-trust-and-tradition|title=Jamia Markaz India: A saga of trust and tradition|date=2 April 2016|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140539/http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/152027/Jamia-Markaz-India-A-saga-of-trust-and-tradition|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 6487961">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/markaz-law-college-to-be-opened-on-saturday/article6487961.ece|title=Markaz Law college to be opened on Saturday|date=10 October 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129191056/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/markaz-law-college-to-be-opened-on-saturday/article6487961.ece|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He said in an interview with [[Khaleej Times]] that the "Education is key to peace".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/abu-dhabi/education-is-key-to-peace-says-indias-grand-mufti|title=Education is key to peace, says India's Grand Mufti|last=Kumar|first=Ashwani|website=Khaleej Times|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527045818/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/abu-dhabi/education-is-key-to-peace-says-indias-grand-mufti|archive-date=27 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Views==
Musliyar has condemned [[Islamic extremism]]. He says that "Militant groups such as the Islamic State (IS) are trying to defame a religion that advocates peace and tolerance."<ref name="Arab News 622616">{{Cite news |url=http://www.arabnews.com/world/news/622616|title=Ruthless activities of IS 'against Islamic principles'|work=arabnews.com|date=30 August 2014|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045305/http://www.arabnews.com/world/news/622616|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 6949883">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-calls-is-enemy-of-islam/article6949883.ece|title=Kanthapuram calls IS enemy of Islam|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 March 2015|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215072629/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-calls-is-enemy-of-islam/article6949883.ece|archive-date=15 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2015, he commented on gender equality, saying: "Gender equality is something which is never going to be a reality. It is against Islam, humanity and was intellectually wrong."<ref name="India Times 247827">{{Cite news |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/sunni-cleric-kanthapuram-ap-aboobacker-musliar-says-women-are-only-fit-to-deliver-children-calls-gender-equality-an-un-islamic-farce-247827.html|title=Sunni Cleric Says Women Are Only Fit To Deliver Children, Calls Gender Equality Un-Islamic|website=The Times of India|access-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805220124/http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/sunni-cleric-kanthapuram-ap-aboobacker-musliar-says-women-are-only-fit-to-deliver-children-calls-gender-equality-an-un-islamic-farce-247827.html|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tribune 1000565">{{Cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1000565/women-only-fit-to-deliver-children-indian-muslim-leader/|title=Women only fit to deliver children: Indian Muslim leader|date=29 November 2015|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504220834/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1000565/women-only-fit-to-deliver-children-indian-muslim-leader/|archive-date=4 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2015-11-29 Hindustan Times">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kerala-muslim-leader-calls-gender-equality-un-islamic/story-tnhDTltppsRiMD407TbzZM.html|title=Kerala Muslim leader calls gender equality 'un-Islamic'|date=29 November 2015|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=23 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510034351/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kerala-muslim-leader-calls-gender-equality-un-islamic/story-tnhDTltppsRiMD407TbzZM.html|archive-date=10 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news  |date=2015-12-01 |title=My statement has been deliberately distorted, says Kanthapuram |language=en-IN |at=Paragraph 3 |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/my-statement-has-been-deliberately-distorted-says-kanthapuram/article7935554.ece |access-date=2022-03-04 |issn=0971-751X |quote=[Kanthapuram] reiterated the plain fact that “only woman can give birth.”}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musalyar Against Gender equality - Full Speech |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai94Kfsszyg |at=1:00 to 2:00 minutes |others=Kanthapuram says that 'only women can deliver children', not 'women can only deliver children'. Media widely misquoted his this statement. |language=en |access-date=2022-03-04}}</ref> He said, “only woman can give birth.” But some media misquoted him as saying women are capable only of childbirth.<ref>{{Cite news  |date=2015-12-01 |title=My statement has been deliberately distorted, says Kanthapuram |language=en-IN |at=Paragraph 3 |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/my-statement-has-been-deliberately-distorted-says-kanthapuram/article7935554.ece |access-date=2022-03-04 |issn=0971-751X |quote=[Kanthapuram] reiterated the plain fact that “only woman can give birth.”}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musalyar Against Gender equality - Full Speech |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai94Kfsszyg |trans-title= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013135409/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sp8anUtj86Q |at=1–2 minutes |others=Kanthapuram says that 'only women can deliver children', not 'women can only deliver children'. Media widely misquoted his this statement. |language=Malayalam |access-date=28 January 2023 |archive-date=28 January 2023}}.</ref>

===Fatwa against ISIS===
Musliyar was the first to issue a [[fatwa]] against ISIS.<ref>{{Cite book | last=Wasserstein| first=David J.| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TDYuDwAAQBAJ&q=%22fatwa%22&pg=PA204| title=Black Banners of ISIS: The Roots of the New Caliphate| date=22 August 2017| publisher=Yale University Press| isbn=978-0-300-23143-4| language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/fight-terror-with-education| title=Fight terror with education| last=Kumar| first=Ashwani| date=| website=Khaleej Times| language=en| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901122634/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/fight-terror-with-education| archive-date=1 September 2019| access-date=15 February 2020| quote=Education is the most powerful weapon in the fight against terrorism and also the best medicine against all social ills, feels Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed, religious Muslim leader in India who is also the first scholar to issue a fatwa against the terror group [[Daesh]].}}</ref>  Musliyar issued his ''Fatwa on ISIS'' on 27 August 2014 CE.  This is the first [[fatwa]]—a nonbinding legal opinion in [[Islamic law]]—issued against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]] according to Ashwani Kumar writing in ''[[Khaleej Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/muslim-cleric-in-kerala-issues-fatwa-against-isis/article6365856.ece| title=Muslim Cleric in Kerala Issues Fatwa Against ISIS| date=2014-08-31| work=The Hindu| access-date=2020-02-15| others=PTI| language=en-IN| issn=0971-751X| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215091055/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/muslim-cleric-in-kerala-issues-fatwa-against-isis/article6365856.ece| archive-date=15 February 2020| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-cleric-in-Kerala-issues-fatwa-against-ISIS-jihadists-sell-several-dozens-of-Yazidi-women/articleshow/41281217.cms| title=Muslim Cleric in Kerala Issues Fatwa Against ISIS...|date=30 August 2014| website=The Times of India| language=en| access-date=15 February 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230082222/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-cleric-in-Kerala-issues-fatwa-against-ISIS-jihadists-sell-several-dozens-of-Yazidi-women/articleshow/41281217.cms| archive-date=30 December 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>  The document, a copy of which is held in the [[National Archives (UAE)|United Arab Emirates National Archives]], was a commission to all [[India]]n [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] Jamiyyathul [[Ulama]] to raise awareness against terrorism.  At the time of the fatwa, Abubakr did not hold the title of [[Grand Mufti]] since his election to the office came on 24 February 2019.  He has also issued fatwas a second time against ISIS<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.arabnews.com/world/news/622616| title=Ruthless Activities of IS 'Against Islamic Principles'| date=30 August 2014| website=Arab News| language=en| access-date=15 February 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402004615/http://www.arabnews.com/world/news/622616| archive-date=2 April 2019| url-status=live}}</ref> and against other [[List of designated terrorist groups| terrorist groups]].<ref>{{Cite news | author=Staff Reporter| url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-calls-is-enemy-of-islam/article6949883.ece| title=Kanthapuram calls IS enemy of Islam| date=2 March 2015| work=The Hindu| access-date=15 February 2020| language=en-IN| issn=0971-751X| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215072629/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-calls-is-enemy-of-islam/article6949883.ece| archive-date=15 February 2020| url-status=live}}</ref>

===On CAB and CAA===
Musliyar opposed the [[Citizenship Amendment Bill]]<ref name="2019-12-10 Muslim Mirror">{{Cite news |url=http://muslimmirror.com/eng/cab-will-pave-way-for-another-partition-grand-mufthi-of-india/|title=CAB will pave the way for another partition: Grand Mufthi of India |date=10 December 2019|website=Muslim Mirror|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035038/http://muslimmirror.com/eng/cab-will-pave-way-for-another-partition-grand-mufthi-of-india/|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="India Times 72430280">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/citizenship-bill-is-discriminatory-unconstitutional/articleshow/72430280.cms|title=Citizenship Bill is discriminatory & unconstitutional, says Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar {{!}} Kozhikode News |date=9 December 2019 |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]] |website=[[The Times of India]]  |access-date=16 January 2020 }}</ref> and [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]],<ref name="The Hindu 30314070">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-questions-caa/article30314070.ece|title=Kanthapuram questions CAA|date=15 December 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=16 January 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035404/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-questions-caa/article30314070.ece|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 30259992">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/stage-being-set-for-next-partition-kanthapuram/article30259992.ece|title=Stage being set for next partition: Kanthapuram|date=9 December 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=16 January 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229151837/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/stage-being-set-for-next-partition-kanthapuram/article30259992.ece|archive-date=29 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and he organised and attended in many protests against the act.<ref name="Telegraph India 1732209">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/born-in-india-will-die-in-india/cid/1732209|title=Born in India, will die in India|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|url-status=live|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108161751/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/born-in-india-will-die-in-india/cid/1732209|archive-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kochi-caa-protest_in_5e0d8a98e4b0843d360dbc4e|title='Lived in India, Will Die in India': Massive Anti-CAA Protest in Kochi On New Year Day|date=2 January 2020|website=HuffPost India|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103151526/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kochi-caa-protest_in_5e0d8a98e4b0843d360dbc4e|archive-date=3 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Press Reader 2817498612">{{Cite news  |url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20191217/281749861247570 |title=Left and Cong. Unite in Kerala Against 'discriminative' CAA |website=[[The Hindu]] |via=[[PressReader]] |date=17 December 2019 |access-date=16 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116034941/https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20191217/281749861247570 |archive-date=16 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Outlook India 1686734">{{Cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/klcitizenshipld-protest/1686734|title=KL-CITIZENSHIP-LD PROTEST|website=Outlookindia|url-status=live|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116032143/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/klcitizenshipld-protest/1686734|archive-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> He did not support the [[hartal]] was organised by [[Social Democratic Party of India|SDPI]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/12/17/kerala-anti-caa-hartal-normalcy-marred-by-stray-incidents-of-violence.html|title=Kerala anti-CAA hartal: Normalcy marred by stray incidents of violence|website=The Week|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035307/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/12/17/kerala-anti-caa-hartal-normalcy-marred-by-stray-incidents-of-violence.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu 30314358">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sdpi-fails-to-garner-support-for-hartal/article30314358.ece|title=SDPI fails to garner support for hartal|date=16 December 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=16 January 2020|author=Special Correspondent|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035049/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sdpi-fails-to-garner-support-for-hartal/article30314358.ece|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=mathrubhumi4364623>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/cab-kanthapuram-against-tuesday-s-hartal-youth-league-also-disowns--1.4364623|title=CAB: Kanthapuram against Tuesday's hartal; Youth League also disowns|website=Mathrubhumi|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215085807/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/cab-kanthapuram-against-tuesday-s-hartal-youth-league-also-disowns--1.4364623|archive-date=15 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kerala-dgp-warns-of-action-says-strike-call-against-caa-not-as-per-rules20191216202013/|title=Kerala DGP warns of action, says strike call against CAA not as per rules|website=aninews.in|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116032143/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kerala-dgp-warns-of-action-says-strike-call-against-caa-not-as-per-rules20191216202013/|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and said the hartal is needless.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/12/17/citizenship-law-protest-hartal-kerala-joint-action-council.html|title=Anti-CAA hartal in Kerala: 18 buses vandalised, over 350 people in preventive custody|website=OnManorama|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116040415/https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/12/17/citizenship-law-protest-hartal-kerala-joint-action-council.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="India Times 72701978">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/call-off-hartal-join-mass-movement-cpm-to-groups/articleshow/72701978.cms|title=Call off hartal, join mass movement: CPM to groups {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News |date=16 December 2019 |website=[[The Times of India]] |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]]  |access-date=16 January 2020 }}</ref><ref name="The News Minute 114204">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/not-just-muslim-issue-why-parties-kerala-are-keeping-away-tuesdays-hartal-114204|title=Not just a Muslim issue: Why parties in Kerala are keeping away from Tuesday's hartal|date=16 December 2019|website=thenewsminute.com|url-status=live|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035034/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/not-just-muslim-issue-why-parties-kerala-are-keeping-away-tuesdays-hartal-114204|archive-date=16 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="20191216 Business-standard">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/no-change-in-tomorrow-s-hartal-plan-say-organisers-119121601444_1.html|title=No change in tomorrow's hartal plan, say organisers|agency=Press Trust of India |date=16 December 2019|work=Business Standard India|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116034821/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/no-change-in-tomorrow-s-hartal-plan-say-organisers-119121601444_1.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He visited the family members of protesters killed in police firing at [[Mangalore]] to express his condolences.<ref name="UNI India 1841559">{{Cite news|url=http://www.uniindia.com/ustad-dyfi-delegates-meet-families-of-two-killed-in-police-firing/south/news/1841559.html|title=Ustad & DYFI delegates meet families of two killed in Police firing|work=[[United News of India]]|url-status=live|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035250/http://www.uniindia.com/ustad-dyfi-delegates-meet-families-of-two-killed-in-police-firing/south/news/1841559.html|archive-date=16 January 2020}}</ref>

===On Babri Masjid Verdict===
Musliyar appealed to the ''Islamic Community of India'' to welcome the [[2019 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute|Supreme Court verdict]] in the Babri Masjid dispute case before the verdict<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mangaloretoday.com/main/Muslims-must-wholeheartedly-accept-Supreme-Court-ruling-on-Babri-Masjid-dispute-A-P-Ustad.html|title=Muslims must wholeheartedly accept Supreme Court ruling on Babri Masjid dispute : A P Ustad|website=mangaloretoday.com|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116080720/http://www.mangaloretoday.com/main/Muslims-must-wholeheartedly-accept-Supreme-Court-ruling-on-Babri-Masjid-dispute-A-P-Ustad.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="India Times 71982841">{{Cite news  |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-leaders-appeal-for-peace-and-harmony-following-ayodhya-verdict/articleshow/71982841.cms |title=Muslim leaders appeal for peace and harmony following Ayodhya verdict |date=9 November 2019 |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=16 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116103523/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-leaders-appeal-for-peace-and-harmony-following-ayodhya-verdict/articleshow/71982841.cms |archive-date=16 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and accepted after. He said "We respect the Supreme Court. Everyone must strive for peace in India.<ref name="New Indian Express 2059622">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/nov/10/muslim-organisations-accept-ayodhya-verdict-saddened-by-loss-2059622.html|title=Muslim organisations accept Ayodhya verdict, saddened by loss|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116032146/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/nov/10/muslim-organisations-accept-ayodhya-verdict-saddened-by-loss-2059622.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The victory or defeat over the Babri Masjid incident may be significant to every party, but the protection of India and its sovereignty is much more important."<ref name="First Post 7620591">{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/ayodhya-case-verdict-highlights-updates-ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-ayodhya-mandir-news-samachar-supreme-court-uttar-pradesh-hindu-muslim-7620591.html|title=SC Final Verdict on Ayodhya Case Updates: UP Police says 'not a single incident' of unrest reported in temple town, all have accepted verdict|website=Firstpost|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116182503/https://www.firstpost.com/india/ayodhya-case-verdict-highlights-updates-ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-ayodhya-mandir-news-samachar-supreme-court-uttar-pradesh-hindu-muslim-7620591.html|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express 6111086">{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-verdict-babri-masjid-ram-temple-reactions-live-updates-6111086/|title=Ayodhya Verdict Reactions Live Updates: BJD, TMC, maintain silence on judgement|date=9 November 2019|website=The Indian Express|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035025/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ayodhya-verdict-babri-masjid-ram-temple-reactions-live-updates-6111086/|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> "Babri Masjid is a place of worship for Muslims,<ref name="The Hindu 29934365">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/parties-advise-caution-after-ayodhya-verdict/article29934365.ece|title=Parties advise caution after Ayodhya verdict|date=10 November 2019 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=16 January 2020 |author=Special Correspondent|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116035107/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/parties-advise-caution-after-ayodhya-verdict/article29934365.ece|archive-date=16 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> but equally important is that all people live peacefully in India."<ref name="India Times 71989966">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/ayodhya-verdict-mature-kerala-upholds-unity-peace/articleshow/71989966.cms|title=Ayodhya verdict: Mature Kerala upholds unity, peace {{!}} Kochi News |date=10 November 2019 |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]] |website=[[The Times of India]]  |access-date=16 January 2020 }}</ref>

===Citizenship Amendment Act===
He met both the [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Narendra Modi]], and [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]], [[Amit Shah]], at their offices on 20 March 2020 and urged them to amend the [[Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019|Citizenship Amendment Act]] and [[National Register of Citizens]] to remove religion from the list of eligibility criteria for citizenship.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kanthapuram-calls-on-modi-shah/article31132299.ece|title=Kanthapuram calls on Modi, Shah|date=2020-03-22|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-03-22|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Organisations==
{{Anchor|A-Org}}
{{See also|Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (EK group)}}

In the late 1980 Musliyar was a leader of the Samastha Kerala Jamiat-ul-Ulema together with [[E. K. Aboobacker Musliyar]] but due to personality differences chose to split off a group which came to be known as the ''AP Faction''; the residual group becoming referred to as the ''EK Faction''.{{Sfnp|Ameerudheen|2018}}

Both factions, which are pre-dominately based in Kerela, have set up a set of broadly parallel organisations at both All India and state level, with Musliyar dominant in those of the AP Faction.

In January 2018 committees were formed to re-unite the factions with the objective of re-uniting the groups to achieve an improved political influence,.{{Sfnp|Ameerudheen|2018}}  {{Asof|June 2020}} there has been no merger.

At the time of his assumption of the title of Grand Mufti of India in February 2019 he was variously described as general secretary of the All-India Muslim Scholars Association for over 25 years,<ref name="The Hindu 26379629" /> and as general secretary of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama.<ref name="Times of India 27 Feb 2019" />

==Honours, awards and international recognition==
* '''Islamic Heritage Award''' for his service in the protection of Islamic culture and heritage from the Institute of Islamic Heritage, based in the [[Saudi Arabia]]. The award was given by the then [[Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (India)|Minister of Parliamentary Affairs]], [[Vayalar Ravi]] in January 2008.<ref name="The Hindu 365972">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/award-for-kanthapuram/article365972.ece|title=Award for Kanthapuram|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 January 2009}}</ref><ref name="2018-04-19 Indian Express">{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/first-islamic-heritage-award/|title=First Islamic Heritage Award|work=The Indian Express|date=19 April 2018|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913224822/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/first-islamic-heritage-award/|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Jewels of World Muslim Biz Award''' by OIC Today in 2016 from then Malaysian Finance Minister, [[Johari Abdul Ghani]].<ref name=scribd427515137>{{Cite journal|title=9th Muslim World BIZ 2019 {{!}} Organisation Of Islamic Cooperation {{!}} Muslim World|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/427515137/9th-Muslim-World-BIZ-2019|journal=Muslim World Biz|publisher=OIC International Business Centre Sdn. Bhd.|access-date=13 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://esf.mimt.gov.ir/parameters/mimt/modules/cdk/upload/content/sis_announcements/3357/1502524024054hg7ftrv5kijm25jvt496iq4hp6.pdf|title=نخبگان اقتصادی جهان اسلام|website=[[Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran]]|language=fa|url-status=live|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113142521/http://esf.mimt.gov.ir/parameters/mimt/modules/cdk/upload/content/sis_announcements/3357/1502524024054hg7ftrv5kijm25jvt496iq4hp6.pdf|archive-date=13 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="2016-10-20 Coastal Digest">{{Cite news |url=http://www.coastaldigest.com/news/92407-ap-ustad-7-others-conferred-oic-jewels-of-the-muslim-world-award|title=AP Ustad, 7 others conferred OIC Jewels of the Muslim World Award|work=Coastal Digest|date=20 October 2016|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913190508/http://www.coastaldigest.com/news/92407-ap-ustad-7-others-conferred-oic-jewels-of-the-muslim-world-award|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Ras Al Khaimah Islamic Academy Award''' for the best Social Worker in 1992.<ref name="Times of Oman 9 Feb 2012">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/oman/times-of-oman/20120209/281543697826455|title=Islamic scholar to address gathering |date=9 February 2012|work=Times of Oman|access-date=22 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222202239/https://www.pressreader.com/oman/times-of-oman/20120209/281543697826455|archive-date=22 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Indian Islamic Centre Award''' for outstanding services in the field of Education and Social Services.<ref name="Times of Oman 9 Feb 2012" />
* '''Hamil Al Gaith International Holy Quran Award''' in 2005.<ref name="Times of Oman 9 Feb 2012" />
* '''Best Indo-Arab Personality Award''' in 2006.<ref name="Times of Oman 9 Feb 2012" />
* He has consecutively been ranked for many years as an influential [[Muslim]] from [[India]] by [[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]] published by the [[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]] of [[Jordan]].

==See also==

*[[Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki]]
*[[Ullal Thangal|Sayyid Abdurrahman Al Bukhari]]
*[[Ali al-Jifri|Habib Ali al-Jifri]]
*[[Nuh Ha Mim Keller]]
*[[Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri]]
*[[Timothy Winter|Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad]]
*[[Muhammad Metwali Al-Sha'raawi]]
*[[Muslim Jamaat]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{Cite book|title=Musliṃ lōkattint̲e vicāradhāra|date=1995|publisher=SYS Books|location=Kozhikode|oclc=37115589|language=ml|trans-title=Thoughts of the Muslim World}}
*{{Cite book|last=Musliyar|first=Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker|year=2010|title=Mind of Islam|url=http://poomkavanam.in/book/f37JQVA1S4Yzc4UdVETpYucfXdCQEK1DUE0shx2HVc0IzoKe6wdhWMVRZ9QKVjl53CbFiBXQFxMU94WBQmD0ig--|publisher=Poomkavanam Publications|language=ml|location=Kozhikode}}

==Further reading==
* '''An Interview with Sheikh Abubakr by Ashwani Kumar of [[Khaleej Times]]:''' {{Cite interview|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/fight-terror-with-education|title=Fight terror with education|last=Kumar|first=Ashwani|interviewer=Ashwani Kumar|newspaper=[[Khaleej Times]]|publisher=[[Galadari Printing and Publishing]]|location=Abu Dhabi|access-date=1 September 2019|date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901122634/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/fight-terror-with-education|archive-date=1 September 2019}}
* '''2009 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2009-low.pdf|title=2009 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2009|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Esposito|editor-first=Prof. John|editor-link=John Esposito|location=[[Amman]]|pages=122|editor-last2=Kalın|editor-first2=Prof. İbrahim|editor-link2=İbrahim_Kalın|editor-last3=Marques|editor-first3=Ed|editor-last4=Usra|editor-first4=Ghazi|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185349/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2009-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2010 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2010-low.pdf|title=2010 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2010|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Lumbard|editor-first=Dr Joseph|editor-link=Joseph E. B. Lumbard|location=[[Amman]]|pages=211|editor-last2=Nayed|editor-first2=Dr Aref Ali|editor-link2=Aref Ali Nayed|editor-last3=Usra|editor-first3=Ghazi|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185346/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2010-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2011 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2011-low.pdf|title=2011 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2011|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Amman]]|pages=122|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223328/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2011-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2012 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2012-low.pdf|title=2012 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2012|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=127|editor-last2=Al-Meheid|editor-first2=Dr Minwer|editor-link2=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last3=Al-Rawadieh|editor-first3=Dr AlMahdi|editor-last4=Ahmed|editor-first4=Dr Aftab|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223248/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2012-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2013/14 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2013-low.pdf|title=2013/14 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2013|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=126|editor-last2=Ahmed|editor-first2=Dr Aftab|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Al-Rawadieh|editor-first4=Dr AlMahdi|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185254/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2013-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2014/15 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2014-low.pdf|title=2014/15 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2014|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=125|editor-last2=Ahmed|editor-first2=Dr Aftab|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Al-Rawadieh|editor-first4=Dr AlMahdi|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106224803/https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2014-low.pdf|archive-date=6 November 2019|url-status=live}}
* '''2016 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2016-low.pdf|title=2016 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2016|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=132|editor-last2=Ahmed|editor-first2=Dr Aftab|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=El-Sharif|editor-first4=Farah|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185228/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2016-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2017 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2017-low.pdf|title=2017 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2017|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=136|editor-last2=Ahmed|editor-first2=Dr Aftab|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Asfour|editor-first4=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185228/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2017-low.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2018 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2018-low.pdf|title=2018 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2018|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Jordan]]|pages=123|editor-last2=El-Sharif|editor-first2=Farah|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Ahmed|editor-first4=Dr Aftab|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|editor-last6=Elgawhary|editor-first6=Dr Tarek|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024044848/http://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TheMuslim500-2018-low.pdf|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2019 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/books/M500-2019-10years-Free_eBook.pdf|title=2019 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2019|isbn=978-9957-428-37-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Amman]]|pages=167|editor-last2=El-Sharif|editor-first2=Farah|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Ahmed|editor-first4=Dr Aftab|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075818/https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/books/M500-2019-10years-Free_eBook.pdf|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=live}}
* '''2020 Edition:''' {{cite book|url=https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/TheMuslim500-2020-low.pdf|title=2020 Edition|work=[[The 500 Most Influential Muslims]]|publisher=[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding]]|year=2019|isbn=978-9957-635-44-2|editor-last=Schleifer|editor-first=Prof. S. Abdallah|editor-link=Abdallah Schleifer|location=[[Amman]]|pages=137|editor-last2=El-Ella|editor-first2=Omayma|editor-last3=Al-Meheid|editor-first3=Dr Minwer|editor-link3=:de:Minwer al-Meheid|editor-last4=Ahmed|editor-first4=Dr Aftab|editor-last5=Asfour|editor-first5=Zeinab|editor-last6=Elqabbany|editor-first6=Moustafa|department=[[Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre]]|access-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010040021/https://www.themuslim500.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/TheMuslim500-2020-low.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2019|url-status=live}}

==External links==

* {{official website|1=https://sheikhabubakrahmad.com/}}

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{{s-rel}}
{{succession box| title = [[Grand Mufti of India]]| years = 2019–present| before = [[Akhtar Raza Khan]]| after = Incumbent}}
{{s-aca}}
{{succession box | title = [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[Markazu Ssaqafathi Ssunniyya]]| years = 1996–present| before = [[E. K. Aboobacker Musliyar]]| after = Incumbent}}
{{s-end}}

{{Hanafi scholars}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Musliyar, Aboobacker A. P. Kanthapuram}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Kozhikode district]]
[[Category:Grand Muftis of India]]
[[Category:Indian Sunni Muslim scholars of Islam]]
[[Category:Indian imams]]
[[Category:Indian Sufis]]
[[Category:Indian spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Indian Islamic religious leaders]]
[[Category:People in interfaith dialogue]]
[[Category:Markaz]]
[[Category:Leaders of Undivided Samastha]]
[[Category:Leaders of Samastha (AP Faction)]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:20th-century imams]]
[[Category:21st-century imams]]