P. K. Abdul Gafoor

MES College Marampally, Aluva

P. K. Abdul Gafoor was the founding President of Muslim Educational Society (MES) in Kerala and one of the pioneers of education amongst the Mappila community in Kerala. He was a medical doctor by profession and served as a Professor of Medicine at Calicut Medical College. In 1964, Abdul Gafoor and a group of young educated Muslims established MES at Calicut, with the objective of cultural, educational and economic upliftment of Muslims. By 1984, it had grown the become the largest distributor of scholarship in India.[1]

Gafoor died in 1984. His son, Dr. P. A. Fazal Gafoor is the current president of MES.[2]

Historian M. G. S. Narayanan opined on him as "one of tallest leaders of the Muslim community to take note of economic weakness of a large section of the community and make strenuous efforts towards their progress". The Annual Dr. Gafoor Memorial Lecture is held in his honour each year.[3][4] The MES Dr P K Abdul Gafoor Memorial Cultural Complex at Kaloor, Cochin housing the Cochin Stock Exchange is also named in his honour.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Pg 241, Educational development in India: the Kerala experience since 1800 By A. Abdul Salim, Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., 2002
  2. ↑ MES efforts draw praise - The Hindu 17 August 2007
  3. ↑ Contribution of MES in educating Muslims hailed - The Hindu Tuesday, Jul 03, 2007
  4. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/23/stories/2009062351390300.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.sebi.gov.in/investor/stockexchadd.html
  6. ↑ http://www.meskerala.com/jit00-homes/kochi.htm


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