From Baghdad to Malabar — Persian Artistry. Malabar Soul.

Sunday, September 27

Alathoorpadi, Melmuri

The Central Idea

What Is Jeelani Conference?

The Jeelani Conference is a commemorative, academic, and spiritual assembly organized to honor the life, teachings, and enduring legacy of the revered 12th-century scholar and Sufi master, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qādir al-Jīlānī.

Moving beyond a conventional devotional gathering, it serves as a dynamic forum that unites sacred tradition, scholastic discourse, and student research — emphasizing inner purification (tasawwuf) alongside orthodox scholarship.

The event draws its creative inspiration from the Ottoman and Persian arabesque tilework adorning Shaykh Jīlānī's shrine in Baghdad. Following the Ottoman conquest of Baghdad in 1534, these artisans adorned the shrine with turquoise-and-cobalt geometric patterns that became a visual language of spiritual devotion.

Just as the arabesque travelled across regions, cultures, and generations while retaining its essential identity, the teachings of Shaykh al-Jīlānī transcended geographical boundaries — from Baghdad to the shores of Malabar — inspiring communities across the Muslim world.

Organized by the Alathoorpadi Students Association, the conference connects historical learning with the living Dars tradition, affirming this generation as custodians of a centuries-old knowledge system.

Mark Your Calendar

The Conference Begins In

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Program

Conference Schedule

A full day of scholarly discourse, spiritual gathering, and academic exchange across two stages.

10:00

11:00

Grand Assembly

ceremony

The opening grand assembly bringing together students, scholars, and the community in a unified gathering to mark the beginning of the Jeelani Conference.

11:00

11:30

Inaugural Ceremony

ceremony

Panakkad Sayyid Abdul Naser Hayy Shihab Thangal, Sayyid Fazal Shihab Thangal

The formal inauguration of the Grand Jeelani Conference, graced by distinguished spiritual leaders and scholars.

11:30

12:30

Shaykh Jilani: Spirituality, Life and Vision

talk

Salim Faizy Kolathur

An in-depth exploration of the spiritual philosophy, biographical milestones, and enduring vision of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani — the Sultan of Saints.

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12:30

13:30

Lunch & Prayer

meal

A break for communal lunch and Zuhr prayer.

14:00

15:30

The Aesthetics of Tazkiyat al-Nafs (Purification of the Soul)

talk

Shuhaibul Haithami, Hafiz Basheer Faizy Aripra

A scholarly dialogue exploring the beauty and methodology of spiritual purification in the Islamic tradition, drawing from the Jilani school of thought.

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15:30

17:00

A Dialogue Between Traditional Practices and Modern Criticisms of Bid'ah

talk

Ameer Hussain Hudawi, Shareef Faizy Kolathur

A nuanced academic discourse examining the intersection of traditional Islamic practices and contemporary debates around innovation (bid'ah) in religious observance.

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17:00

18:20

Jilani Jalsa (Grand Mawlid Gathering)

mawlid

A grand spiritual gathering celebrating the blessed legacy of Shaykh al-Jilani through devotional recitations, poetry, and collective remembrance.

20:00

21:00

Jilani Conference

talk

Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, Elamkulam Usthad

The keynote conference session featuring addresses by distinguished spiritual leaders on the contemporary relevance of the Jilani tradition.

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21:00

22:00

Closing

closing

Valiyudheen Faizy

The closing address and formal conclusion of the Grand Jeelani Conference.

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Guests & Scholars

Distinguished Speakers

Scholars, spiritual leaders, and academics who carry the torch of the Jilani tradition.

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Panakkad

Sayyid Abdul Naser Hayy Shihab Thangal

A distinguished spiritual leader from the Panakkad family, renowned for his scholarly contributions and spiritual guidance within the Sunni Muslim community of Kerala.

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Sayyid Fazal Shihab Thangal

A respected figure in the Islamic scholarly tradition of Kerala, known for his participation in academic and spiritual gatherings across Malabar.

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Salim Faizy Kolathur

A prominent Islamic scholar and orator known for his deep understanding of Sufi thought and the life of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani.

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Shuhaibul Haithami

An esteemed scholar specializing in the science of tasawwuf and spiritual purification (tazkiyat al-nafs).

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Hafiz Basheer Faizy Aripra

A respected Hafiz and scholar known for his expertise in Quranic sciences and spiritual discourse.

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Ameer Hussain Hudawi

A scholarly authority on traditional Islamic practices and their relevance in the modern context, known for articulate defense of orthodox positions.

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Shareef Faizy Kolathur

A well-regarded Islamic scholar and speaker whose discourse bridges classical scholarship with contemporary understanding.

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Panakkad

Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal

A revered spiritual leader from the Panakkad family, embodying the tradition of scholarly excellence and spiritual guidance.

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Elamkulam Usthad

A senior scholar and respected teacher in the Dars tradition of Malabar, known for decades of dedicated service to Islamic education.

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Valiyudheen Faizy

A distinguished scholar tasked with delivering the closing address, synthesizing the conference's themes and charting the path forward.

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Sayyid Muhammad Koya Thangal Jamalullaili

A respected scholar and community leader, central to the Dars Management dialogue about preserving and advancing the palli-dars tradition.

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Abdussamad Pookkottur

A scholar and organizer deeply committed to the continuity and evolution of the Dars educational system in Malabar.

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Abdussalam Faizy Cholode

A noted Islamic scholar and educator contributing to the intellectual discourse at the conference.

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Dr. Musthafa Darimi Karippur

A distinguished academic and Islamic scholar offering a specialized session that continues as an ongoing course, bridging conference learning with sustained study.

Be Part of the Legacy