Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :
Konaje:
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram, founder and chancellor of Jamia Markaz Saquafathi Sunniyya in Kozhikode, Kerala, was conferred an honorary doctorate by Yenepoya Deemed to be University at its Endurance Auditorium on Wednesday.
The honorary doctorate was presented by Dr. Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University.
Accepting the honour, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said Muslims should give importance to secular education alongside religious education and increase their efforts in the field of education.
He said divine grace had enabled him to serve society for many years and that he had accepted the doctorate as something bestowed upon him by Allah. He praised Yenepoya University for bringing about a transformation in the education sector and noted that the institution had provided medical education to several orphaned children from Markaz. He expressed hope that free education could continue to be provided to orphans and underprivileged people in the future.
Dr. Chullikkode Hussain Saquafi, co-chancellor of Jamia Markaz, said the conferment of the honorary doctorate on Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad fulfilled a long-standing dream of the Sunni Muslim community. He said the recognition by Yenepoya University had fulfilled not only the aspirations of the scholar’s disciples but also the dreams of thousands of Muslims.
He added that academic titles would not change Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and that his contributions to social service and educational advancement would continue. He also expressed gratitude to Yenepoya University for honouring the prominent Sunni Muslim leader.
Presiding over the programme, Yenepoya University Chancellor Y. Abdullah Kunhi said conferring the honorary doctorate on Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who has made distinguished contributions to education and social service, was a proud moment for the university.
He said the scholar, who commands the respect of millions, had also earned recognition beyond his own community. His visionary leadership and efforts to provide education to disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of society were commendable, he said. Recalling his leadership associated with Jamia Markaz in Kozhikode and his service as Qazi of the historic Ullal Dargah, Kunhi highlighted his contribution to education and social progress.
Recalling his association with his late father, Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi, the chancellor said the blessings and encouragement of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad had consistently supported the institution’s growth. He added that the guidance of eminent personalities had played an important role in the educational journey of the Yenepoya group, which has gained global recognition.
The programme was attended by Pro-Chancellor Dr. Vijayakumar, Yenepoya University Vice-Chancellor Dr. K.S. Gangadhara Somayaji, Registrar Dr. Ashwini Dutt, Dr. Muhammad Farhad, Yenepoya University Registrar (Evaluation) Dr. B.T. Nandeesh, Islamic Academy of Education trustee Dr. Habeeb Rahman, Jamia Markaz Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hussain Saquafi Chullikode, and several political and religious leaders.
The honorary doctorate had been announced for Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad and Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, founding chairman of SS Innovations International, as part of Yenepoya University’s 16th convocation. Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who was scheduled to receive the degree at the convocation held on October 24, accepted it at a felicitation ceremony on Wednesday.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / October 28th, 2026