List of Marathi Muslims

This is a list of notable Marathi Muslims categorized by their professions. Marathi Muslims are defined as Muslims whose native language is Marathi and who are culturally integrated into Maharashtra. ^[1]

Historical Figures

Mughal Era

Shivaji Trusties

Source: ^{[2] [3] [4]}

• Siddi Hilal
• Daulat Khan
• Ibrahim Khan
• Kazi Haider
• Siddi Ibrahim
• Siddi Wahwah
• Noorkhan Beg
• Shama Khan
• Hussain Khan Miyani
• Siddi Mistri
• Sultan Khan
• Dawood Khan
• Madari Mehetar
• Shaikh Muhammad (1560–1650) – Marathi Muslim saint-poet from Shrigonda in Ahmednagar district. He is known for his spiritual and devotional poetry written in Marathi, especially his most famous work, Yoga-samgrama. He was deeply influenced by the Nath tradition and propagated unity between Hindu and Muslim spiritual paths.
• Haji Malang – A 12th-century Sufi saint whose shrine is located in Kalyan, Maharashtra. The shrine is a popular symbol of syncretic culture and is visited by both Hindus and Muslims. ^[5]
• Hazrat Turabul Haq Shah – also known as Turatpeer Baba, was a revered Sufi saint of Parbhani. His dargah is a center of pilgrimage and is known for its annual Urs that promotes communal harmony in Maharashtra. ^[6]
• Abdul Qadir Bawazeer – Islamic scholar and reformer from Maharashtra, known for being a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in South Africa. Gandhi referred to him as "sahodar" (brother). ^[7]
• Hamid Dalwai (1932–1977) – noted social reformer, writer, and thinker who advocated for women's rights and modern reforms within the Muslim community. He founded the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal and wrote extensively in Marathi. ^[8]
• Shahir Amar Shaikh – prominent Marathi folk poet and performer who used the traditional form of powada to address social injustice and promote unity. He is recognized as one of the key cultural voices of the working class. ^[9]
• Aziz Khan Pathan – contemporary Marathi poet and lyricist known for blending traditional Marathi expression with themes relevant to the Muslim experience in the state. ^[10]

Politics

• Husain Dalwai – Social worker, politician (Indian National Congress), and Rajya Sabha member.
• Abu Asim Azmi – Politician (Samajwadi Party), Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. ^[11]
• Nawab Malik – Politician (Nationalist Congress Party), former Maharashtra Cabinet Minister. ^[12]

British era

• Abdul Karim Naik – Freedom fighter and leader in the Indian independence movement. ^[13]

Literature and arts

• M. F. Husain – Widely known as the "Picasso of India," Husain was instrumental in shaping modern Indian art with his fusion of traditional themes and contemporary techniques.
• Ismail Abdul Rahiman Undre (Azad) – Poet and writer in Marathi. ^[14]
• S. M. Ibrahim – Freedom fighter and Marathi writer.

Saints

• Shaikh Muhammad (1560–1650) – Marathi Muslim saint-poet from Shrigonda in Ahmednagar district. He is known for his spiritual and devotional poetry written in Marathi, especially his most famous work, Yoga-samgrama. He was deeply influenced by the Nath tradition and propagated unity between Hindu and Muslim spiritual paths. ^[15]
• Haji Malang – 12th-century Sufi saint whose shrine is located in Kalyan, Maharashtra. The shrine is a popular symbol of syncretic culture and is visited by both Hindus and Muslims. ^[16]
• Hazrat Turabul Haq Shah – also known as Turatpeer Baba, was a revered Sufi saint of Parbhani. His dargah is a center of pilgrimage and is known for its annual Urs that promotes communal harmony in Maharashtra. ^[17]
• Abdul Qadir Bawazeer – Islamic scholar and reformer from Maharashtra, known for being a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in South Africa. Gandhi referred to him as "sahodar" (brother). ^[18]

Sports

Cricketers

• Zaheer Khan – Former Indian cricketer and fast bowler. ^[19]
• Aavishkar Salvi
• Wasim Jaffer

Arts and entertainment

• Salim Arif ^{[ page needed ]}– Theatre director and filmmaker. ^[20]

Social work and academia

• Sabah Khan – Social activist and co-founder of Parcham Collective (works with Marathi Muslim women). ^[21]

Diospora

Uttrakhand

• Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan

UAE

• Zulekha Daud – UAE's first woman doctor

References

1. Muslim communities of South Asia : culture, society, and power. Vol. 44. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Manohar in association with the Book Review Literary Trust. 1985. pp. 467–489. ISBN   978-81-7304-090-0.
2. Anandan, Sujata (2023-02-19). "The legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji". National Herald. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
3. "'Muslims were part of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's army': Ajit Pawar advises restrain after Nitesh Rane's comments". The Times of India. 2025-03-12. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-04-09.
4. "Shivaji Maharaj and Muslim Society". Brighter Kashmir. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
5. "Haji Malang Dargah". Dargah Info. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
6. "Hazrat Turabul Haq Dargah Parbhani". Parbhani District Official Site. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
7. "Imam Abdul Kadir Bawazeer". MKGandhi.org. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
8. "Hamid Umar Dalwai". Sahapedia. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
9. "The Powada in Marathi Literary Tradition". Janata Weekly. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
10. "Marathi Melodies and Words Weave a Charm on Language Day". The Times of India. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
11. "Abu Azmi slams Owaisi for raking up North-South debate". The Times of India. 2019-04-04.
12. "Nawab Malik: The rise of a Marathi Muslim face in Maharashtra politics". Hindustan Times. 2021-11-05.
13. Agrawal, M.G. (2008). Freedom Fighters of India. ISHAN Publications. ISBN   978-8182370995.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
14. Dalvi, Abdul Latif (1987). Marathi Mussalman Kavi ani Vangmay (in Marathi). Popular Prakashan.
15. "Sheikh Muhammad". Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
16. "Haji Malang Dargah". Dargah Info. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
17. "Hazrat Turabul Haq Dargah Parbhani". Parbhani District Official Site. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
18. "Imam Abdul Kadir Bawazeer". MKGandhi.org. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
19. "Zaheer Khan: The Marathi Muslim who became India's pace spearhead". Firstpost. 2015-10-15.
20. "Salim Arif's journey from Marathi theatre to Bollywood". Mumbai Theatre Guide. 2018-03-12.
21. "The women of Parcham". The Wire. 2019-08-20.

See also

• Marathi people
• Islam in India