JEDDAH, 28 May — Sheikh Muhammad Karakkunnu, director of Islamic Publishing House (IPH) in the south Indian state of Kerala, has called on Indian Muslims to make efforts to remove the misunderstandings about Islam among non-Muslims, especially Hindus. “This is essential to promote communal amity in a racially divergent country like India and to create an atmosphere conducive to the spread of Islam in the country,” said Muhammad, a Shoura member of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Speaking to Arab News, Muhammad, author of 45 Islamic books, said Jamaat’s dawa programs have been instrumental in conveying the message of Islam to prominent political, cultural and religious leaders in the state. “They were very much impressed when we held talks with them on Islam and expressed their desire to learn more about Islam.”

The Dialogue Center in Calicut, established by Jamaat, one of the leading Islamic organizations in India, conducted 36 religious dialogues with Hindu and Christian organizations and leaders last year, he said, adding that they were attended by over 15,000 non-Muslims.

Muhammad said the IPH, which was established in 1945 with the aim of spreading Islam and removing the misconceptions about it, has so far published 398 books. They included translations of works by prominent Arab authors like Dr. Yousuf Al-Qaradawi, Sayyed Sabik, Muhammad Al-Qutb, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazzali, Sheikh Ali Tantawi and Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Bar.

IPH’s publications also include a six-volume Qur’an commentary by Sayyed Abul Aaala Moudoodi and books by authors like Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi, Alija Izetbegovic, Ismail Raja Farooqui, Sir Thomas Arnold, Alex Harley, and Father Benjamin Kildani.

Sheikh Muhammad described the Islamic Encyclopedia project as one of IPH’s major achievements. “We have already published five of its 12 volumes. Once completed this encyclopedia will serve as a good reference book for all subjects related to Islam and Muslims,” he pointed out. Some 400 editors and writers are working on the project to be completed in seven years.

Sheikh Muhammad, who is also chairman of the Southvision and director of Thanima, a fine arts organization, said the conversion of famous Keralite poet and novelist, Kamala Das (who became Kamala Surayya) to Islam had generated interest among the people of Kerala to know more about Islam. He deplored the deliberate attempt by certain media organizations in the country to spread misconceptions about Islam.

He said most non-Muslim cultural and political leaders were ignorant of the basic teachings of Islam. “This situation has increased our responsibility in dawa work.” The absence of Muslim role models, the strident atheistic campaign of Communists and the commitment of people toward their existing religions have prevented many Keralites from embracing Islam, he pointed out.

He said Jamaat’s dawa wing was organizing an essay contest for non-Muslims on “Islam in my opinion”. More than 800 persons, mostly students and teachers have already registered their names for the contest. The contestants will be provided with books on Islam and the winners will be awarded prizes. It has also conducted nine dawa training camps which were attended by 300 people. The Southvision, he said, supplies Islamic programs to television channels. Doordarshan has telecast episodes of Hindu-Muslim dialogue conducted by the Jamaat and a lecture on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Sheikh Muhammad disclosed Jamaat’s plan to establish an Islamic hostel close to the Farook College campus in Calicut at an estimated cost of 5.4 million rupees. “We have plans to establish similar hostels attached to all major educational institutions in the state,” he said.