History
Markazu Saqafathi Sunniyya, commonly known as Markaz, is one of India’s foremost academic and charitable organizations. It was established in 1978 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 with a vision to combine modern education with strong moral and spiritual foundations. Headquartered in Calicut, Kerala, Markaz has since grown into a vast network of educational and humanitarian institutions operating across India, the Gulf countries, Europe, and America.
From its inception, Markaz has been a beacon of constructive education and social welfare, committed to uplifting underprivileged communities. The governing body comprises renowned scholars and social reformers who guide its various initiatives. The organization integrates modern curricula with ethical teachings, ensuring students not only gain knowledge but also cultivate values of faith, responsibility, and respect for humanity.
Currently, Markaz oversees more than 50 institutions and numerous sub-centres, including orphanages, Qur’an schools, Shari’a colleges, higher secondary schools, arts and science colleges, engineering institutions, vocational and technical institutes, medical and management colleges, masjids, hospitals, and hostels for girls. Over 20,000 students directly benefit from these institutions, while thousands more receive indirect support through Markaz’s outreach programmes.
Key welfare initiatives include the Markaz Homecare Project, which supports over 1,500 orphans within their homes; and social welfare schemes like Takaful and Markaz Cares, which provide financial and educational assistance to deserving children. Inspired by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (s), Markaz offers completely free education and living support to more than 5,000 students, including orphans and students from Kashmir and other disadvantaged regions.
Beyond education, Markaz extends its service to medical missions, career guidance, water projects in rural areas, community marriages, and other humanitarian activities throughout India. The foundation stone of Markaz was laid on April 18, 1978, by the eminent Meccan scholar Dr. Sayyid Muhammed Alawi al-Maliki, marking a new era of Islamic and modern education in Kerala.
Markaz has gained international recognition for its contributions to both traditional and contemporary education. It has academic affiliations and recognitions from prestigious universities such as Al-Azhar University (Cairo), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jamia Millia Islamia, Hamdard University (New Delhi), and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). Students from across India and various countries including Canada, the USA, the UK, and Singapore are part of the Markaz community.
Today, Markaz stands as a symbol of educational excellence, charity, and moral guidance, continuing to inspire and empower generations through its unwavering dedication to knowledge, compassion, and humanity. [8]
Stading With Nation
Markaz is more than an educational conglomerate based in Karanthur, Kozhikode, Kerala; it symbolizes the dignity, self-respect, and progress achieved by the Muslim community in India over the past decades. Since its inception, Markaz has been a catalyst for social and cultural change, helping the community overcome historical and social challenges and move toward a brighter future.
Through numerous innovative and sustained programs, Markaz has guided the community in education, social welfare, and cultural advancement. The term ‘Markaz’, meaning “center,” reflects its role as a central hub for Indian Muslims’ educational, social, and cultural aspirations.
Markaz’s institutions have enabled children from economically disadvantaged families to access quality education, empowering them to excel academically. Its focus on education has contributed significantly to the high literacy rate among Muslims in Kerala, the highest among Muslim communities worldwide. Initially concentrated in Kerala, Markaz has since expanded its reach across India and abroad, catering to orphans, the needy, and providing spiritual and social guidance for millions.
By fostering social progress through education, healthcare, housing, and basic infrastructure, and acting as a bridge between government initiatives and the community, Markaz has influenced the broader society positively. It promotes the idea that Muslims are equal participants in nation-building, sharing equal rights, duties, and responsibilities.
Today, Markaz stands as a symbol of peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive progress for the Indian Muslim community, inspiring similar initiatives across other communities and reinforcing the role of civic responsibility informed by religion and social ethics. [10]
