Āli Musliyār was a convicted activist and an Islamic scholar. Musliyār was a Masjid al-Haram educated Islamic scholar who served as the Imam of Tirurangadi Mosque from 1907 until his eventual execution at Coimbatore Prison for leading the Malabar Rebellion. He was an active orator of the Khilafat Movement.
Early life and career in Mecca
Āli Musliyar was born in Nellikkunattu desom, Eranad taluk, Malabar district to Kunhimoitīn Molla and Kōtakkal Āmina. Kōtakkal Āmina was a member of the famous Maqdoom family of Ponnani, known for their religious scholarship. Musliyar's grandfather, Mūsa, was one of several "Malappuram Martyrs". Ali Musliyar began his education studying the Qur'an, tajwīd and the Malayālam language with Kakkadammal Kunnukammu Molla. He was sent to Ponnani Darse for further studies in religion and philosophy, under the tutelage of Sheikh Zainuddin Maqdum I, which he successfully completed after 10 years. He then went to Haram, Makkah for further education. Throughout this period, he was guided by several famous scholars, including Sayyid Ahmed Sahni Dahlan, Shiekh Muhammed Hisbullahi Makki, and Sayyid Husain Habshi. After spending seven years in Mecca, he went on to serve as the Chief Qasi in Kavaratti, Laccadive Islands.
Musliyar in Malabar
In 1894, after learning of the slaying of his brother and several other family members, Musliyar returned to Malabar. He discovered that many of his relations and fellow students were lost during an 1896 riot. In 1907 he was appointed as the Chief Musliyar of the mosque at Tirurangadi, Eranad taluk. He became a Khilafat leader, on the introduction of the Khilafat movement, was installed as Khilafat King on 22 August 1921 at the Jamat Mosque and issued edicts proclaiming his assumption, of office and directing that in future market fees, ferry and toll revenue belong to the Khilafat Government. He posed as a great leader of the people. Khilafat and non-co-operation meetings were held regularly under Ali Musaliar, and "these constant preachings, combined with the resolution passed in the All-India Khilafat Conference at Karachi last July, led the Moplahs to believe that the end of the British Government in India was at hand. Ali Musaliar and his lieutenants were making secret preparations for active and direct hostility against the British Government. Khilafat volunteers were recruited and made to swear on the Holy Koran that they would be ready to die for the cause of the Khilafat. Ali Musaliar also made his volunteer corps parade throughout the locality, armed and in their uniforms, and such demonstrations added to the strength of this mischievous movement.". The beginnings of the future Khilafat army were in the 'making, and, at an anti-non-co-operation Meeting held at Ponnani on 24 July to counteract the effects of the Khilafat agitation, Ali Musaliar, "turned up with his volunteer force of about 50 to 100 volunteers armed with big Khilafat knives and clad in Khilafat uniform, marching under a red flag, with shouts of Allah-Ho-Akbar. The volunteers rushed the Police in the bazaar." . The agrarian discontent, but it would appear that there was some trouble – what it was, it is not possible to say – between the Pookotur Moplahs and the Manager Tirumulpad of the Pookotur Estate. This lack of cordiality was aggravated by the Police search instituted at the instance of the Manager, and V. Mohammad exploited the Khilafat movement and the fractious temper of his co-religionists to wreak vengeance. and in this jungly, remote and fanatical hamlet of Pookotur, the civil administration practically ceased to function from 2 August 1921. The revolt of 1921–22 began following the police attempt to arrest three leaders, of which Ali Musaliar was one, on 20 August 1921. Rumours were spread by Moplahs that the British troops had destroyed the Mampuram Mosque, and the Moplah gangs were brought out in huge numbers, estimated to be between 15,000 and 30,000. This led to large scale massacre of British troops, rich Hindu landlords and severe damage to the British government infrastructure including buildings, rail bridges, roads etc. throughout South Malabar. Hindu blacksmiths of the locality were intimidated into making swords and knives, a good many of these out of carpenters' saws. Although the British army troops were quick to take the upper hand in many towns, a number of rebels initiated guerilla operations, forcing the British to deploy additional military units and introduce "aggressive" patrolling. The revolt against British came to an end in February 1922. Ali Musliyar was among a dozen leaders who were tried and sentenced to death. He was subsequently hanged at the Coimbatore Prison on 17 February 1922.
