A Blessed Journey to the Andaman Islands - English (Translated)

 

A Blessed Journey to the Andaman Islands

Ibrahim Bakhavi Edappal

To participate in various programs of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, I embarked on a journey to the Andaman Islands today (Saturday, 01/02/2025) at 3:30 AM. I traveled from Karipur Airport along with Sayyidul Ulama Thangal Usthad and Panakad Abbas Ali Thangal.

In the Andaman Islands, Samastha's dedicated representative, Zainudheen Haji, has often been entrusted with matters concerning Sayyidul Ulama and has taken the necessary initiatives as assigned.

We departed on an IndiGo flight at 7:30 AM and reached Chennai at 9 AM. After a domestic transfer, we arrived at boarding gate number 12 for our next flight.

MT Usthad is also coming, along with Thalassery Anwar Haji. He arrived from Oman and was at Chennai Airport. The IndiGo flight, which was scheduled to depart at 10:30, finally took off at 1:00. Anwar Haji provided coffee and sandwiches, followed by some spiced peanuts later. At 3 PM, we landed at Port Blair Airport in Andaman. A large crowd had gathered at the airport to welcome the leaders, joyfully chanting "Thala'al Badru".

Later, a grand vehicle rally took place! The Jumu'ah prayer and lunch were held at Ograbranj Juma Masjid, where hundreds of people had gathered to welcome us. After the meal, there was a short Nasihah (advice session) and prayer in the mosque. The leaders' vehicles were then escorted with great enthusiasm to the conference venue in a grand reception rally. The people of the islands were filled with excitement!

NooreHuda Islamic Conference

The Noorehuda Conference was organized as part of the Samastha 100 Centenary Campaign and the Iqra School 25 Anniversary. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a festive spirit.

From Ograbranj, we proceeded to the house of Zaiinudheen Haji’s younger brother, Yusufka, where we stayed. I was fortunate to be in the same room as Sayyidul Ulama, an opportunity to serve him that I consider a great blessing. May Allah accept it!

Abbas Ali Thangal, MT Ustad, and others were also staying in the same house, which was spacious, well equipped, and comfortable. May Allah bless it abundantly! The household members and the local people were exceptionally hospitable and respectful. May Allah reward them generously and preserve their kindness!

After performing Maghrib and Isha prayers, we left for the conference venue. Specially designated vehicles with name boards were arranged for the prominent leaders.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with an enthusiastic announcement, a Duff team performance, and a flower show. The moment the announcer mentioned Sayyidul Ulama, thousands of attendees rose to their feet, chanting Takbeer in sheer joy and reverence - a scene that remains unforgettable.

Under the presidency of Abbas Ali Thangal, Sayyidul Ulama’s inaugural speech lasted nearly threequarters of an hour, which the audience listened to with deep attention, frequently responding with Takbeer chants in admiration.

The Viqaya and NooreHuda teams of volunteers were actively engaged, ensuring a wellorganized event. Everything about the conference was grand and remarkable—May the Almighty accept it!

About the Andaman Islands

Alternative Name: Kala Pani

Capital: Port Blair

Country: India

Governor: D. K. Joshi

Area: 8,249 sq. km

Population: 356,152

Population Density: 43/sq. km

Time Zone: UTC +5:30

Official Languages: Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, English, Nicobarese, Punjabi, Telugu

Administrative Status: Union Territory

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Tamil: அந்தமான் நிகோபார் தீவுகள், Hindi: अंडमान और निकोबार द्वीप) are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, about 1,200 km from mainland India. Although a part of India, they are geographically closer to Myanmar. Covering an area of just 8,249 sq. km, these islands hold historical and strategic importance for India.

The Andaman Islands are significant in India’s freedom struggle and are of interest to archaeologists and anthropologists because of the indigenous tribes that have lived there for thousands of years. The islands are also a popular tourist destination. Except for the indigenous tribes, everyone living here has migrated from different parts of India. The islands are like a miniature version of India. Malayalis, Tamilians, Bengalis, and North Indians all live together here. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians reside in harmony, hand in hand.

Human Settlement

Research findings suggest that human habitation in the Andaman Islands dates back thousands of years. The latest archaeological studies have uncovered evidence of human settlement from around 2,200 years ago. However, based on the genetic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds of the indigenous tribes, researchers estimate that humans may have lived in the Andaman Islands as early as 30,000 to 60,000 years ago.

Colonization

The British initially decided to utilize the Andaman Islands as a significant center in the Bay of Bengal. In 1777, John Ritchie was assigned to survey the islands, a task completed by Captain Archibald Blair in 1788. That same year, the British established a colony there, settling 270 prisoners and over 500 other people. However, due to isolation from the mainland, frequent attacks by indigenous tribes, and the spread of diseases, the settlers struggled to survive, leading to the colony's abandonment in 1795. The history of the islands remained largely unknown for some time afterward.

By the mid-19th century, the Nicobar Islands had become a base for a Malay pirate group led by a deserter from the British army. Due to frequent shipwrecks along the Nicobar coast caused by Bay of Bengal storms, these pirates would seize stranded ships, loot their cargo, and kill the crew. To safeguard this trade route, the British seized control of the Nicobar Islands in 1869.

Later, during the First War of Independence in 1857, the British reconsidered the Andaman Islands as a penal settlement. Over 1,000 freedom fighters from the Sepoy Mutiny were exiled there. On March 4, 1858, the first ship carrying 200 prisoners arrived in the Andamans, accompanied by two doctors and 50 naval personnel from Kolkata, led by Dr. J.P. Walker. Despite harsh conditions, the prisoners were forced to develop Port Blair and Ross Island into habitable areas.

The prisoners endured extreme hardships. One of them, Narayan from Bihar, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, attempted to escape on a small boat but was caught and shot dead by the guards. His blood is believed to be the first to be shed in the Andamans for India's freedom. Many more prisoners were brought in over the years; numerous perished, and others attempted to escape, only to be captured and publicly executed. A total of 87 prisoners were hanged during this period.

Following the Malabar Rebellion of 1921, several rebels were exiled to the Andamans under the "Andaman Scheme." Many of today's Malayali inhabitants of the islands are their descendants.

Cellular Jail

By the late 18th century, the number of prisoners in the Andaman Islands had grown to nearly 15,000. To accommodate them, the British decided to construct a prison in Port Blair. Thus, in 1896, the construction of the Cellular Jail began. Materials were shipped from Burma (now Myanmar), and ironically, the prisoners themselves were forced to build their own prison. The construction was completed in 1906, but for the inmates, this place only meant endless suffering.

The prison's chief warden, Barry, was known for his cruelty. He would greet new prisoners by saying, "There is only one God in the world, and He resides in heaven. But in Port Blair, there are two gods—one in heaven, and the other is me." The brutalities in the Andaman prisons eventually caused unrest even among British officials. As a result, in September 1937, the penal settlements on the islands were officially closed, and prisoners were transferred to mainland jails. Today, the Cellular Jail stands as a national memorial, attracting thousands of visitors who come to witness a site that once echoed with the cries of India's freedom fighters.

Japanese Occupation and Retreat

World War II had a significant impact on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, given their strategic location in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The islands faced heavy attacks from Japanese torpedoes, which sank several British warships that had been providing defense. After the fall of key British strongholds like Rangoon and Singapore, the Japanese forces advanced towards the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Anticipating the threat, the British decided to withdraw, but before they could do so, the islands fell under Japanese control on March 3, 1942.

The then Chief Commissioner, Waterfall, was imprisoned in the Cellular Jail by the Japanese. British soldiers and officials were captured and forced into hard labor to improve infrastructure on the islands. Those who refused to work or attempted to escape were severely punished. The Japanese maintained strict control over the islands, but meanwhile, the British imposed a naval blockade, leading to severe shortages of food and medicine, causing famine and disease to spread.

The Japanese, however, did not withdraw from the islands. Instead, in November 1943, Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo announced in Tokyo that the islands were being handed over to Subhas Chandra Bose's Provisional Government of Free India. On December 19, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose arrived on Ross Island and hoisted the Indian flag, marking a symbolic assertion of India's independence.

By 1945, the British prepared to reclaim the islands. On October 7, 1945, under Brigadier Solomon's leadership, British forces landed, and by October 9, the Japanese had completely withdrawn.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands remained under British rule until India gained independence in 1947, finally breathing the air of freedom along with the rest of the country.

Rose Island

Rose Island is one of the islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. It does not have many spectacular sights, but deer can be seen roaming freely, approaching visitors in a friendly manner. You can even touch and pet them. However, the real charm of the visit lies in the boat journey across the sea.

From our stay at Stodganj (correctly spelled as 'Stewart' Ganj), we traveled to Bamboo Flat Jetty and took a ferry to Chatham Jetty. From there, we had to go to Junglighat to purchase boat tickets. The ticket price was ₹770 per person, and the journey took around 30 minutes. Along the way, we saw ships and shipyards.

Located about 2 km east of the capital, Port Blair (also known as Vijayapuram), Rose Island was the administrative headquarters of British rule until the 1941 earthquake. The island spans 75 acres and once housed the office of the Chief Commissioner. Today, it is under the control of the Indian Navy.

The island gets its name from Reginald Rose, a British marine officer.

During British rule, Indian freedom fighters who were exiled were forced to build various structures on the island. These included a secretariat, markets, clubs, a mosque, a printing press, a post office, a water purification plant, a bakery, and even a swimming pool, all constructed using the labor of prisoners.

In 1942, the Japanese took control of the island from the British. A year later, in 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the tricolor flag here.

The remains of British naval training centers, barracks, and a power house can still be seen on the island, though they are in ruins. A Europeanstyle church, an old cemetery, and the remnants of the former administrative buildings stand as reminders of the past.

Beyond the church, the island descends steeply into the sea. Steps lead down to an area where colorful decorative rocks and crystal clear seawater create a mesmerizing view.

North Bay Island

After spending more than an hour at Rose Island, we (this humble writer, along with a local resident of the island, Abussalam Faizi—an instructor at Rouzathul Uloom Arabic College and manager of SKSSF Trend School, civil engineer Abdul Jaleel Sahib, and Stewart Ganj Imam Ismail Darimi) set off for North Bay Island.

Tickets for both destinations must be purchased together, as there are no boats operating to a single location. Alternatively, a private boat can be arranged. When we inquired, the cost for a boat covering both locations was ₹9,000.

North Bay Island does not have many major attractions. The lighthouse seen on the old ₹20 note, along with its surrounding structures, is one of the main sights here.

Swimwear is available for purchase, and there are facilities for underwater exploration, including scuba diving. The island boasts a unique marine ecosystem with an extraordinary variety of coral reefs, some of which are not found anywhere else in the Andaman Islands. These coral formations provide a rich habitat for diverse fish species, making the waters here truly remarkable.

We spent our time on the island swimming, having meals, and offering prayers. Abdul Jaleel’s wife had prepared and sent some food, which we enjoyed.

This was my first time swimming in the sea. The water was incredibly clear—when floating, I could see the seabed with perfect clarity. The mother sea is not as fierce as in our homeland; she is calm and gentle. We arrived at North Bay Island around 1:00 PM and left by 2:30 PM.

Ziyarah of Allama FazleHaq Khairabadi (رحمة الله عليه)

On our way back from the islands, we had the honor of visiting the maqam of a great scholar.

Allama FazleHaq Khairabadi (رحمة الله عليه) was the son of the author of the kithab Mirqath, which we study in manthiq. He was born in Awadh, in Khairabad, Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, in 1796/1797 and passed away on August 19, 1861.

He was exiled to the Andaman Islands for issuing a fatwa against British rule.

His maqam, commonly known as Mazaar Baba, is located in Shadipur, near a white colored Shiva temple by the roadside. The maqam is slightly set back from the main road.

Allama FazleHaq Khairabadi was a Hanafi mufti, scholar of Kalam, Maturidi theologian, and poet. As a leader of the Indian freedom struggle, he actively campaigned against British colonialism. In 1857, he was among the first scholars to issue a religious decree in favor of military jihad against British rule and inspired many others to join the uprising.

He also authored Tahqiq, refuting Ismail Dehlvi’s Taqwiyatul Iman, and wrote works such as AlThaur AlHindi (The Indian Revolution).

An inscription in English near the maqam provides information about his contributions.

May Allah grant us success in both worlds through the blessings of this great scholar. Ameen!

The Infiltration of ‘Bid’ah’ - A Lesson from Andaman

While traveling between the islands, one of my companions pointed out, "This is the Hanafi Bada Masjid." It was during this conversation that the topic of the original Hanafis and the Bid'ah Hanafis in Andaman came up.

Further inquiries led to the realization that many mosques in Andaman, under the "Hanafi" label, were either taken over from Sunnis or established by Bid'atis.

As we studied the non-Sunni groups in the region, we began to understand the deceptive strategy of Bid'ah proponents. Some individuals would operate within a community under the banner of "Hanafi," leading people to assume they were merely followers of the Hanafi school of thought. Even if some practices appeared different, people wouldn't take them seriously, thinking, "Aren't they Hanafees?"

Over time, once they gathered a small following in a locality, they would build a separate mosque or slowly gain control over an existing one.

The driving force behind these activities is the Deobandis. Their influence is so extensive that they even oversee the shrine of Khairabadi (R.A.). They take the money from the shrine, yet they refuse to eat the offerings of charity!

In other words, they benefit from what they label as "shirk" when it comes to financial gain! They take charge of shrine management, accept donations, but refuse to consume the food offered in devotion!

Hearing this reminded me of a similar incident near my hometown in Kerala. The Tablighis there participated in Haddad Majlis and other Sunni gatherings, making it difficult for people to oppose them. If someone claimed, "They are not Sunnis," the locals would respond, "But they attend Haddad gatherings!" They continued working this way for years, gradually gaining influence. Eventually, they took control of a mosque and stopped the Haddad Majlis altogether.

This is how Tablighis in one place and Deobandis in another create problems.

From all this, we must understand that Bid'ah groups can emerge in different forms. They may even adopt some of our traditions to blend in. Only when they gain influence does their true nature reveal itself. By then, they would have already influenced the masses!

We must never take these matters lightly! At the first sign of Bid'ah, we should remain vigilant and confront it with wisdom and maturity.

May Allah protect us and our future generations from Bid'ah!

Mannarkkad Mosque and Calicut Madrasa

On Monday morning, the program was in Mannarkkad—not in Kerala, but in Andaman!

Places like Malappuram, Calicut, Manjeri, Wandoor, and Tirur exist in Andaman too. This is because many people from these regions were exiled to Andaman by the British for participating in the freedom struggle. Out of their deep connection to their homeland, they named different places in Andaman after their native towns.

The event in Mannarkkad was the foundation laying ceremony for a newly rebuilt mosque.

After that, we attended the housewarming ceremony of the son in law of Andaman Qadhi Sulaiman Musliyar. We had breakfast there before setting off for Calicut at around 10 AM.

In Calicut, there was a gathering of key figures from the local mahal.

Our madrasa had been quietly taken over by another group, who had changed the syllabus without our knowledge. However, under the leadership of Yusuf AlQasimi and Advocate Tayyib Hudawi Mugheni, efforts were underway to reclaim it. The meeting was arranged to assess their progress, appreciate their hard work, and formally hand over the registration documents in the name of our people.

Alhamdulillah! The meeting went smoothly. May Allah bless the dedicated individuals working behind the scenes with goodness in both worlds!

Sayyidul Ulama, Abbas Ali Thangal, and M.T. Ustad had a conversation. They were also invited to the 100th anniversary of Samastha. When talking about Samastha and its centenary, their enthusiasm was truly something to witness!

May Allah keep us firmly rooted in Samastha, the organization of His beloved Awliya!

Inside the Andaman Prison

On Sunday, I set out on a sightseeing trip along with Kuthuparamba Anwar Haji (Oman), Edacheri Ismail Haji (Dubai), and Sahil Andaman. Our main destination was the Cellular Jail, located near GP Hospital in Aberdeen Bazaar. The entry fee was ₹30.

The Cellular Jail is a massive prison built to house freedom fighters exiled to Andaman from different states across India, including Kerala. I have already shared more details about this prison in my previous post, About the Andaman Islands.

Visiting this place is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of our forefathers from various religious backgrounds who fought for independence and to understand the true value of freedom.

The exhibits provide detailed information about the prisoners, their punishments, and the remote islands where they were kept and tortured. Numerous photographs are displayed, including images of our own Mappila ancestors from Malappuram, wearing traditional headgear.

I also learned that a historical show is held in the evenings, showcasing the prison’s past. One of the buildings even features a gallows designed to hang three people at a time. For history students, this place offers a wealth of learning opportunities.

The harsh realities of the past are vividly depicted—prisoners with their hands and feet shackled, those being whipped, and others subjected to intense forced labor. Seeing these recreations was truly heart wrenching.

The suffering endured by the ancestors of our Andaman brethren serves as a reminder of their struggles and naturally deepens our love for them.

One More Thing!

The name Veer Savarkar is everywhere—Veer Savarkar Airport, Veer Savarkar Park, Veer Savarkar Cell—as if he was the main prisoner here! His cell is marked separately, a park has been created in his honor, and even the airport has been named after him.

After all, when every RSS follower worships the British and licks their boots, they must have been delighted to find at least one “freedom fighter” among them! Let them celebrate!.