RELIGIOUS EVOLUTION AND LINGUISTIC TRANSFORMATIONS: M.H. ILIAS AND DR. MAHMOOD KOORIA CHALLENGING CONVENTIONAL NARRATIVES

Sunil P Ilayidam skillfully navigated the discussion in the 7th edition of Kerala Literature Festival by traversing through diverse religious concepts, rituals, ordinances of the priesthood, and the concept of purity. Drawing attention to the colonial period, M. H. Ilias asserted that religion was often considered `Blind Knowledge` of this era. He highlighted the impact of the Renaissance, emphasizing the transformation seen in the derivation of the word `Islam.` Additionally, Ilias linked the Renaissance period to Miller, who played a crucial role in establishing social equality. Even Christianity, in spite of being a widely practised religion, faced scrutiny during the establishment of the Christian Danish machinery.
Dr. Mahmood Kooria provided a nuanced perspective, categorizing religion both horizontally and vertically. He delved into the rectification of “Hortus Malabaricus” and discussed how gradual extinction of certain languages eventually led to the disappearance of associated religions. Notably, he pointed out that the Arabic language had a significant presence during the days of the `Rajas` in Kerala, with even the `Cherakkal` family using Arabic in their letters.
Kooria reflected on the perception of long traditions and observed that, despite colonial statistics portraying women as illiterate, many were proficient in Arabic and `Arabi-Malayalam`. He highlighted the impact of English as the universal language, rendering their achievements seemingly invisible.
Moderator Sunil P Ilayidam concluded the session by emphasizing the dynamic nature of religious expansion, thereby inadvertently challenging the notion of a monolithic concept. He expressed gratitude towards the participants, acknowledging their contribution to the enlightenment of moving towards a more inclusive understanding of rel