In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
By V. M. Khaleelur Rahman
Dear All,
It is heartening to know that Muslim Higher Secondary School in Chennai, established by late C. Abdul Hakeem sahib (R) celebrated its Centenary in a grand manner as details given below.
On Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 5.15 pm a newly constructed Centenary Building was inaugurated by Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Azimjah sahib, Prince of Arcot in the august presence of
1. Janab A. Mohammed Ashraf sahib, Patron Member.
2. Janab T. Rafeeque Ahmed sahib, Patron Member.
3. Janab Hazrat Maulana Syed Bilal Abdul Hai Hasani sahib, President, Nadwatul Ulama.
4. Janab Hazrat Maulana Abdul Kareem sahib Kashifi Mazahiri, Chief Kazi, Ranipet District, Imam, Masjid-E-Tanyeem, Melvisharam.
Maulana Syed Bilal sahib delivered his speech in Urdu and Maulana Abdul Kareem sahib in Tamil.
On Saturday, 24th January, 2026 a Centenary Meeting was held presided by Janab S. Ziauddeen Ahmes sahib, President, C. Abdul Hakeem Educational Trust.
Chief Guest was Janab S.M. Nasar sahib, Hon'ble Minister for Minority Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Guests of Honour:
1. Thiru P.K. Sekar Babu, Hon'ble Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Government of Tamil Nadu.
2. Janab M. Abdul Wahab sahib, Managing Director, KH Exports India Pvt. Ltd.
3. Thiru Dr. G.V. Selvam, Vice-President, VIT University, Vellore.
4. Janab Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan sahib, Vice-Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad.
5. Janab Dr, Abdul Qadeer sahib, Founder, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar, Karnataka.
6. Rev Fr C Joe Arun SJ, Chairman, State Minority Commission, Tamil Nadu.
On Saturday, 24th January 2026 at 9.30 pm an All India Grand Mushaira was held under the Presidentship of Janab A. Mohammed Ashraf sahib, Chairman, MEASI Urdu Academy and Chief Guest was Janab Dr. MD. Nayeemur Rahman sahib, Vice-Chairman, Tamil Nadu State Urdu Academy. It was hosted by Janab Shafeeque Abidi Alipuri sahib.
Participating Poets:
1. Dr. Nawaz Deobandi, Mr. Afzal Danish Barhanpur, Dr. Khalid Nayyar Amravathi, Mr. Parvez Khasim Darbanga, Mr. Nayeem Rashid, Mr. Mujavar Malegaon, Mr. Hasan Chat Chatpatan, Mr. Khatib Haneef, Mr. Syed Rafeeq Basha, Mr. Siraj Shana, Mr. Tahir Bijli and Mr. Rahat Hararat
The grand two-day Centenary Celebrations of the Chennai based Muslim Higher Secondary School with Inaugural Meeting, New Building opening, Educational Conference and Urdu Mushaira attracted quite a large number of people.
The School which celebrated its 100 years of great achievement in existing and giving education to students was established by the great philanthropist Janab Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib (Rahmatullahi Alaihi). It is said Nawab was the title given to him. According to reports available one feels he was a humanitarian interested in the educational uplift and friendly co-existence of different religious people and the likes of him are rare. We are not able to find a person like him. He was a special and rare person. Allah says he created all from one man and one woman (Adam and Hawwa) It seems he had full faith in it. I don't know his life story. It is said he was a big leather merchant. In Melvisharam, his native place, we see Engineering College, Science and Arts College, Higher Secondary School and other educational institutions in his name. It is all because of him. He gifted a big building with shops and rooms named C Market to Ambur Muslim Educational Society, Ambur. I am reproducing a report below:
"C. Abdul Hakeem Market at Ambur stands as one of the notable achievements of Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib. On the request of the Ambur Muslim Educational Society, Hakeem sahib spent Rs.35,000 for the construction of the market.
He donated the entire market for the maintenance and welfare of the school,reflecting his commitment to education.
The construction was completed in 1929.
The building was named "C.Market" in honour of the benefactor.
Located in the heart of Ambur, the market stands as an impressive and prominent edifice.
It serves as a lasting memorial and a source of inspiration, highlighting his philanthropic vision.
The Market was formally inaugurated on 31st March 1929. It was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Madras Presidency, Hon'ble Dr. P. Subbaroyan.
SUNNATHPET MOSQUE, GUDIYATHAM
The beautiful Mosque at Gudiyatham stands as a fitting memorial to Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib.
In 1933 a delegation led by Haji Abdul Raheem sahib met Hakeem sahib seeking support in constructing a Mosque at Santhapettai in Gudiyatham.
Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib generously donated Rs.25,000/- for the construction of the Mosque.
The initial donation was sufficient only for laying the foundation of the Mosque.
On learning this, Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib personally visited Gudiyatham to assess the construction progress.
After reviewing the work, he donated a substantial amount to ensure the completion of the Mosque.
NAWAB C. ABDUL HAKEEM SAHIB & INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
C. Abdul Hakeem sahib was a staunch supporter of the Indian National Congress and extended full support to senior Congress leaders.
In 1923 Abdul Hakeem sahib served as the Head of Reception Committee for the Kakinada Congress session. The session was presided over by Maulana Mohammed Ali, with Jawaharlal Nehru as Secretary.
All expenses were borne personally by Abdul Hakeem sahib. His generosity and hospitality were greatly appreciated by the Congress leaders.
Mahatma Gandhi, Rajaji and K. Kamaraj visited Hakeem sahib's office in Madras. The purpose of the visit was fundraising for the Indian freedom struggle. Hakeem sahib handed over a cheque for Rs.100000/-(Rupees one lakh to Rajaji. The leaders were astonished by his extraordinary generosity.
Later at a Congress meeting held in Arcot, Rajaji publicly praised Hakeem sahib for his unwavering support and generous contributions to the Indian Independence Movement.
HAKEEM SAHIB'S CONTRIBUTION TO MADARSA-E-BAQIYATHUS SALIHATH, VELLORE.
Hakeem sahib was a Member of Governing Council of Madarsa-E-Baqiyathus Salihath in Vellore.
In 1925, a new hostel building was inaugurated and Hakeem sahib announced a donation of Rs.50,000/-. He had already contributed Rs.50,000/- during the construction.
Vice-Principal of Baqiyathus Salihath once expressed the financial crisis to run the Madarsa. Hakeem sahib immediately signed a cheque of Rs.5000/- and gave to Vice-Principal.
HAKEEM SAHIB & HINDU SCHOOL, AMBUR
C. Abdul Hakeem sahib donated a generous amount for the construction of the Hindu Higher Secondary School at Ambur.
The school building was named in his honour for his generosity.
The foundation stone for the building was laid on 21st April 1932.
The completed building was formally inaugurated on 19th November 1936.
The inauguration was performed by Hon'ble Kumararaja M.A. Muthiah Chettiar of Chettinad, Minster of Education to the Government of Madras.
SIDDIQUE SARAI (LODGING) FOUNDED BY NAWAB C. ABDUL HAKEEM SAHIB- Home away from Home – A Monument of Charity
Father's last wish: "If Allah gives you wealth, build a Choultry for Muslims in Madras."
Siddique Sarai (Lodging) is the outcome of the promise given by Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem to his father Janab Siddique Hussain sahib.
In 1921it was inaugurated by Rayeesul Ashrar Moulana Moulvi Abdul Khader Azad Subhani sahib of Kanpur.
It is named after his father as 'Siddique Sarai'. It is located at Poonamallee High Road, Opposite to Ripon Building, Madras just a few steps away from Central Railway Station.
Siddique Sarai consists of 3 floors, 2 Mosques (for men and women separately),43 rooms and 20 shops. Rent of the shops is used for the maintenance of the Sarai.
One can stay in the Sarai for three days in the Sarai at the minimal rent.
HAKEEM SAHIB'S CONTRIBUTION TO THIRUVANNAMALAI ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE
Hakeem Sahib donated an elephant to the Arunachaleswarar Temple at Thiruvannamalai as a gift to the temple and its tradition. This kind of donation was significant historically, as elephants played an important role in temple festivals and rituals in South India.
Beyond his specific gift, he was known for financially supporting the renovation and upkeep of several Hindu temples, demonstrating a commitment to religious harmony and community welfare across faiths.
Hakeem sahib's actions at Thiruvannamalai are an example of his broader secular philanthropy using his wealth to support not just Muslim institutions like schools and mosques, but also major Hindu temples and community needs without discrimination.
NAWAB C. ABDUL HAKEEM'S ETERNAL JOURNEY
In the year 1937, Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib decided to perform Haj pilgrimage. He booked 8 berths in a ship that was to depart in January 1938 along with a group of Islamic scholars.
He had plans to buy a land in Mecca to construct a Guest House for Indian Hajis
Unfortunately he fell ill, attacked by Pneumonia. The doctors advised him bed rest for some time. He sent his companions for the Haj and hoped to join them after recovery.
But he breathed his last on 28th January 1938.
His demise was a great loss to mankind.
He was a true Nationalist,
A Great Philanthropist,
An Educationist and above all,
A GREAT HUMAN BEING.
Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem sahib still "lives" with us because he did what Allah wanted him to do for the benefit of the people in this world.
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