Shabab:A unique muslim weekly in malayalam

A Glimpse into the past

Arab Traders were a common sight on the Coast of Malabar from time immemorial, even before the Christian era as this region was considered a hot spot on the trade links connecting the Arabian peninsula with the rest of the world. Historical accounts tell us that this bond continued without any hindrance during the lifetime of our Holy Prophet, and as a result, the spread of Islam on the coasts of Malabar and adjacent geographical tracts has been fast, strong and on a wide range.
By passage of time innovations (Bid’ath) and un-Islamic practices of their past culture crept quickly into the lives of Muslims. This trend increased rather than fading away until reached a stage where innovative elements close to polytheism gained wide acceptance among the common folk of the Muslim community. The decline of Muslim community severed because of their distancing from Education, Cultural and Social refinement programs etc., due to the opposition they maintained with the colonial hierarchy. Thus they remained an underdeveloped society, far away from the strength and enlightenment that Islam has to offer.
National movement, which blew as a tempest in the latter half of the 19th century to uproot the British colonialism, created an appropriate atmosphere for reformation programs and renaissance. As a result, during the first decade of the 20th century, different groups who were striving to enlighten the community and empowerment of Muslims augmented their efforts towards the common goal. Immediately after the famous Malabar Revolution of 1921 fought against the British Administration, prominent Muslim reformers met in Kodungallur to set up a platform for Muslims, and thus the organization called Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham (united front of Kerala Muslims) came into being. In the beginning, this organization under the strong leadership of Patriotic and God-fearing heavy-weights like the renowned Nationalist leader and religious scholar Wakkom Abdul Quadir Moulavi, K.M. Moulavi, E.K. Moulavi, K.M. Seethi Saheb, E. Moidu Moulavi Etc., achieved great success in educating the masses and eliminating the vices from the society. Their prominence continued unhindered for almost a decade promoting awareness, education and a thrust for social justice. Their role in liberating the masses from the bondages of ignorance, superstitions, innovative practices was exemplary. Under the well guided leadership of sincere tinkers and planners, the masses walked into a life of dignity the education offered them. They breathed fresh air of freedom from evils and the blessings social justice.
On the advent of the Independence in 1947, architects of social reformation among the community felt the need to bring various Muslim movements of Kerala into one fold functioning under one umbrella, and thus the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) came into being. KNM gained wide acceptance and in 1966 the Youth Wing Ithihadu Ssubanul Mujahideen (ISM) was formed. When circumstances demanded a separate platform for students for the better utilization of their energy in developing creative ideas and to sew the seeds of positive attitudes in the campus, Mujahid Students Movement (MSM) took birth in 1971. For functional convenience and greater participation of girl students and womenfolk in the campus, Muslim Girls and Womens’ Movement (MGM) was formed in the year 1998.

SHABAB
SHABAB, the official voice of the ISM began publication in 1975 as a fortnightly. In a very short span of time it became a weekly publication. Now it has achieved the status of on-the-top Muslim weekly publication in comparison to Muslim weekly publications in the whole of Kerala, if the number of readers and circulation were considered. This was possible through dedication, vision and commitment in presenting Islam in its true nature, based on the two fundamentals, the Quran and the Traditions of the Holy Prophet, of course after the grace and blessings of the Almighty Allah. SHABAB has obviously undertaken its task on a war footing; not a war against any individual or group, but, on the other hand it fights with renewed enthusiasm against superstitions, innovations and unfounded practices that crept into the lives of Muslims.
‘Confronting through convincing evidences’ is its policy in addressing the unfounded arguments of rival leaderships who mislead masses. These kind of misleading forces are silenced with evidences from the rightly guided teachings of the Prophet on the basis of Testimonials derived from established sources. At the same time, it marches ahead with the task of educating the masses along with undertaking programs designed to mould an educated, enlightened society who will be well aware of their duties and responsibilities. A good portion of energy and significant number of pages of SHABAB are dispensed to awaken Muslims from falling into the trap of extremism in the name of religion, call for States on the basis of religion, and to counter trivial arguments in the name of rituals and voluntary practices which may not serve any good purpose to Islam or Muslims. SHABAB handles the issues raised by its opponents and rivals from time to time in a pragmatic but convincing way. SHABAB makes available to common man or women the chance of reading famous works of renowned Muslim scholars in their own language (Malayalam) through its pages. Cheriyamundam Abdul Hameed Madani, a renowned thinker, writer and interpreter of the meanings of the Quran is the Chief Editor at present.