A visionary social reformer and. educationist,
a prolific writer and fearless journalist,
a noted scholar and linguist and, above all,
a patriot, Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi (1873-1932) occupies a special place in the modem history
of Kerala. Vakkom Moulavi was a product of
the Indian renaissance of the early 20th
century which produced many great people
in all fields. He commenced his literary
work with the publication of the Malayalam
journal Swadeshabhimani (Patriot) in 1905,
just over half a century after the suppression
of the First War of Indian Independence.
At a time when there was not a single Malayalam
journal with such a provocative name and
avowedly nationalist outlook, the publication
of Swadeshabhimani reflected the all-round
awakening of the people of Kerala. The first
issue of the journal (19 January 1905) proclaimed
as its policy that "our objective is
the welfare of the people and we will always
bring to light the grievances of the people
whatever may be the consequences". Together
with his editor, Sri. Ramakrishna Pillai, who joined the journal one year after it
began publication, Vakkom Moulavi began a
struggle for the rights of the people and
came to symbolize the nationalist aspirations
of the common man. The journal ceased publication
in 1910 when the Swadeshabhimani press was
confiscated and the editor exiled, but in
its brief life, it had succeeded in setting
a new trend in journalism. Vakkom Moulavi
continued his activities through a series
of other publications and books, sacrificing
his entire wealth in the process.
The Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust (VMFT)
is intended to be a lasting memorial to Vakkom
Moulavi for his invaluable services to the
community and patriotic sacrifices for securing
democratic rights and social justice for
all people. The Foundation is dedicated to
promoting the all round progress -social,
economic, intellectual, scientific, cultural
and spiritual - of the people.
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