Dr. Rafeeq Hudawi

The journey of Darul Huda Islamic University (DHIU), from its modest beginnings with limited resources to becoming a globally acclaimed centre of excellence in education and community development, is nothing short of extraordinary. This exceptional educational system emerged during a turbulent period when attempts were made globally to relevantize the Islamic knowledge and education to face the challenges of modernity and westernization in the Muslim countries. Spearheaded by the visionaries like Syed Naqib al-Attas, one such movement was known for its attempt 'Islamize the knowledge and resulted in the establishment of universities like International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). Although Darul Huda is not directly linked to such a global movement, it was also the call of the time to tackle the arduous challenges of the period that resulted in its foundation.MM Basheeer Musliyar, CH Haidaroos Musliyar and Dr. U. Bapputti Haji were not some western-educated intellectuals coming back to the pathetic realities of their homelands, rather they were the real 'organic intellectuals' who keenly recognized the pressing need for a community of intellectuals equipped with traditional education and secular training, transcending the linguistic boundaries of Kerala. What began as an ambitious idea soon transformed into a cornerstone of educational excellence, proving that "Great things often have small beginnings."