The Khur-aan Sunnath Society, founded by Chekanoor Moulavi, is marking the 24th anniversary of his mysterious death by launching a website that features his major speeches.
According to Jaleel Puttekkatu, vice-president of the society, writer and social critic M.N. Karassery will launch www.moulavichekanoor.com, a website featuring 25 select speeches delivered by the religious scholar.
In the speeches, the Moulavi, whom many Muslims in Kerala consider a radical, claims that the five prayers Muslims offer daily were against the spirit of the Koran and points out the ‘mistakes’ in the prayer call (baank or azan).
Activists of the society contend that the five-time prayer is against social development and the prayer call using loud speakers created problems in a multi-religious society. They also argued that the concept of religion was a creation of the priesthood, who exploited the sentiments of the faithful for their hegemony.
The speeches delivered by Moulavi’s associates Yusuf Moulavi Karunagappally, Shahul Hameed Moulavi Kottakkal, and M.P. Mohammedunni Moulavi Maranchery too have been featured in the website.
Sources in the society said the books authored by the Moualvi and his speeches had provoked fundamentalists in the community, who, they alleged, had murdered him. Mr. Jaleel said that the memorial event would also discuss the threats posed by religious fundamentalism. A forum of progressive organisations would be formed to fight fundamentalism. Salim Haji, president of the society, among others, would speak on the relevance of Chekanoor Moulavi.
