Day 1: 9 January, 2021 (Sunday)
After nearly three days (January 6-8) of a bittersweet journey on the Kamakhya-Kochuvelly express train, from Rampurhat to Pallakad, we, along with three Assamese counterparts, got off at the Parpangadi railway Station. After consuming a refreshment, we headed towards the Darul Huda Islamic University, in Kerala.
We reached by 7 p.m. The next day was full of visiting destinations planned by our caring principal, Siddique Hudawi ustaad (teacher).
From early morning to 9 in the night, until we reached his beautiful, little house, we visited more than six graveyards, made sincere offerings, performed namaaz in sensitively, spiritual masjids, met new students, ate delicious food items.
In the evening, we enjoyed the waves carrying the air and sounds of the Arabian sea. Then, the night passed pleasantly in our the ustaad’s house in Anakkara.
Day 2: January 10, 2021 (Monday)
Trekking hill roads, we reached a Waqtiya Masjid in Anakkara, the village of our travel map-maker and teacher. Our second day began. We played, wandered, bathed and tasted the favourite food of all Keralites.
Our travelling in a red, mini-car began with visiting two maqams: of the ustaad’s grandfather, Muhammad Kutti, and father. In total, we visited five mazaars (shrines) that day—all of them revered in the state for their vehemence in spiritual service.
On the way back, we made a special visit to some other branches of Darul Huda and met with their students’ unions. Amazingly enough, we were mesmerised by looking at the havelis (mansions) of some of our hosts. I understood why emperor Shah Jahan built a unique Taj Mahal for his beloved.
Eating lunch after lunch was what stood out for me, haha. Thanks to all the hosts and may Allah elevate all their posts! Finally, thank you to those who travelled with us in the car. We covered more than 250 kms within two days.
Day 3: January 11, 2021 (Tuesday)
The first day went by restlessly, with us having to attend nine different sessions. It started with ziyara (pligrimage), followed by flag hoisting and a series of sessions. The inaugural session faciliated by Hashir Ali Shihab Thangal, was crowded with special guests and dignitaries.
Interactions with social drivers like Member of Parliament, ET Mohammad Basheer, and IUML (Indian Union Muslim League) leader Hafsal Rahman, were really insightful.
The investigative session of adaalat (court) was uniquely designed. It seemed that our students’ union, MISBAH, had contribute to good work.
Skipping the cultural program led by Anjuman-e-Huda, we went to respected NC Rasheed sahib’s house with our ustaad. On the way, we met with our previous ustaad, Shihab Arakkal.
Day 4: January 12, 2021 (Wednesday)
During breakfast, we went out to explore the Chemmad village. We also attended sessions facilitated by bigwigs like ustaad Jabir Ali Hudawi, ustaad Naoufal Hudawi, ustaad Muhammad Ali Hudawi, and others. It seemed as if they were feeding us infants in the audience.
We ended up missing the most enjoyable moment chahal pahal (hustle and bustle) session. It was a sports-based one, early in the morning. Although, the Maktab team led by ustaads Mansoor and Junaid Hudawi, allowed me to meet them.
With a message to inculcate what we have learnt in our home campus, the national conclave came to an end after group song titled Mehfil-e-Ishq (celebration of love) sung by post graduate students.
Fearing our absence in the closing ceremony after maghrib, the organisers didn’t allow us to leave. We walked along the campus boundary, including the Thelicham’s office.
Day 5: January 13, 2021 (Thursday)
At 7 a.m., our Miya Miya tourist bus rolled in and it started swaying on snaky roads, guarded with long plants and graded markets.
We visited a lot of places, from the varsity campus to the Mua’llimeen office, Chaliyam model village, Beypore port, Hadia CSE (centre for social excellence) and Mampuram maqaam.
Day 6: January 14, 2021 (Friday)
This was the last day in our host state of Kerala, for the national students’ conclave. The conclave formally concluded the previous night, with a farewell by ustaad Sharafuddin Hudawi in Kairouan hall, at the Hadia CSE.
We indulged in some shopping and bought caps, shawls, perfumes and other items on our lists. We also prayed in front of the spiritual and mysterious Mampuram maqaam shareef of Kerala. People stand there from dawn to dusk, asking the almighty to grant their wishes and solve their problems.
Many ustaads reminded me not to forget taking their material. Like everyday, I made calls to my family. We returned to the varsity an hour before jumma. After the prayer, Abdullah Haji sahib took us to his marvellous villa and served us lunch, warmly.
Ustaad Abu Bakr rode his Royal Enfield to meet with us. We also met our first principal, ustaad CK Shafi Hudawi. After the Asr namaaz, we started our journey back to Bengal.
Ustaad Siddique dropped us off at the Kuttipuram station from his house. From there, we boarded the same, red, mini-car as earlier, to head to Palakkad, to catch the TVC-NJP special train at 2:30 a.m.