Kozhikode: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received a warm welcome at Markaz at Karanthur in Kozhikode, where he arrived to meet Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar. The Malaysian Prime Minister reached Kozhikode after attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi as part of his five-day visit to India.

Arriving at Markaz at around 5.40 pm, Ibrahim was received by Markaz Working secretary Muhammed Abdul Hakeem Azhari and secretary C Mohammed Faizi, among others.
 

#WATCH | Keralam: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accorded a warm welcome at Kozhikode International Airport. Ministers and Secretaries in the Keralam Government received him at the airport.

(Video Source: PRD Malappuram) pic.twitter.com/dD9eN5Ieeg

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He subsequently held a private meeting with Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar to discuss educational exchanges between Markaz and Malaysian higher education institutions, bilateral cooperation in culture and knowledge, and the welfare of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia.

During a reception at the Markaz Convention Centre, the Malaysian Prime Minister was presented with the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation’s 'Excellence Award', which honours prominent figures in humanitarian service, social reform and educational advancement.

In addition, the Grand Mufti gifted Ibrahim a handwritten manuscript of Sahih al-Bukhari to express appreciation for the international Hadith recitation gatherings organised under the patronage of the Malaysian government over the past three years.

Following the reception, Ibrahim attended a formal dinner hosted by the Grand Mufti alongside prominent figures from religious, political, social, cultural and business sectors.

At approximately 9.30 pm, Ibrahim and Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar visited the Madavoor CM Valiyullah Dargah, a major pilgrimage site in South India.

This marks Ibrahim’s second visit to Kerala to meet the Grand Mufti, following his initial visit to Markaz in September 2022 shortly before assuming office as Prime Minister. In 2023, the Malaysian government conferred its highest honour for Islamic scholars, the 'Hijrah Award', upon Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, leading to joint international Hadith recitation gatherings in Kuala Lumpur across 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Prior to his arrival, Ibrahim noted on social media that his visit to the state would help create great momentum and progress in trade, tourism, investment, economic cooperation, education and connectivity between Malaysia and India.

The events were attended by State Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader E Sulaiman Musliyar, Sayyid Ali Bafaqi Thangal, Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Al Bukhari, Perode Abdurahman Saqafi, C Mohammed Faizi, VPM Faizi Villyappally, Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, Kuttur Abdurahman Haji and AP Abdul Kareem Haji Chaliyam.

ANI