Malaysia is a melting point for many races and religions. Muslims of Indian origin represent a minority group within the major Indian racial group and a minority group within the major Malay Muslim group. Muslims of Indian origin who were mostly traders and merchants migrated to Malaya in the 1400s during the Sultanate of Malacca in search of wealth and to propagate Islam. Indian Muslims played a key role in Malacca Sultanate as key court officials and later assimilated into the Malay community. Indian Muslims in larger number began to arrive in the 1800 as a merchant class and prospered in many trades such pharmacy, sundry shops, food business etc. They helped to build mosques and “madrass” all over the country and set up religious and social associations now numbering some 50+ to cater to the needs of the Muslims.
This minority group now numbering about 500,000 has produced many famous sons and daughters who played a pivotal role and are credited for the economic and spiritual progress achieved in the country. They fought the colonialists along with other races for the independence but failed to organize themselves as a strong political entity to secure on behalf of the community equitable sharing of opportunities in education and economic fields. This divided minority community lags behind other racial groups in many fields and has no political voice.
In the 1970s, the minority Indian Muslims feeling the need for stronger voice successfully brought some 40 social/religious associations under one umbrella now called PERMIM to protect this group’s interest.
The inspiration to form a Federation to bring the diverse Indian Muslim Organizations under one umbrella was mooted by Dato’ Mohamed Iqbal, Haji S.A. Mohamed Ishack and A.E. Mohamed Ibramim at the Perak Muslim Progressive Association, Taiping (PMPAT). On 22 September 1969, a convention was held at the Indian Muslim Mosque in Taiping. The meeting was held under the auspices of PMPAT. The Convenor and Chairman of the meeting was Dato’ Mohamed Iqbal. The meeting unanimously recognized the need for the formation of a national body. The mandate to execute the decision was given to the Selangor Indian Muslim Association (SIMA) which was based in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1971, SIMA called for a meeting to elect the pro-term committee for the formation of a national body. The meeting was held in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur. The meeting unanimously elected Tan Sri. S.O.K Ubaidulla as President. Dato’ Mohamed Iqbal drafted its constitution.
PERMIM was formally established in 1973 with the express aim and objective ‘to envisage, organize and carry out activity or activities that aim to promote the religious, social, economic, educational and cultural well-being of its members in particular and Muslims in Malaysia at large’.
The First Delegates Conference of PERMIM was held in Dewan Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur on April 22, 1973. It was officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar, Dato’ Harun Idris, who also then UMNO Vice President and its Youth Chief. At this Conference, Tan Sri S.O.K Ubaidulla was elected as its first President.
The Indian Muslim Economic Development Plan was adopted.
The First Biennial Delegates Conference was held at Ipoh in 1976 and Hj. Mohamed Ismail Shariff was elected as the second President of PERMIM. He introduced the system of holding Executive Council Meetings in the states on a rotation basis as an opportunity to meet the community members on the ground and to better understand the problems facing the community.
A plot of land measuring 21,797 sq. ft. located in SS 6/1, Kelana Jaya was purchased in 1983 for RM85,000 from contributions by community members.
PERMIM published its own monthly newsletter “NAM KURAL” in 1985. Its Chief Editor was S. Seeni Naina Mohamed.
PERMIM Headquarters moved to its own premises located at Malayan Mansion, Kuala Lumpur on 18 August 1985. The premise was purchased for RM120,000 from contributions by community members.
The National Convention on Indian Muslim Social Development was held in May 1985 Kuala Lumpur and was followed by another National Convention in Penang in July 1985. The purpose of the Convention was to foster unity among the community, address citizenship problems and religious education for the children. At the Convention, an ACTION PLAN was adopted. One of the measures enumerated in the Plan was to increase the number of branches and affiliates of PERMIM to strengthen its reach.
PERMIM managed to settle documentation pertaining to grant and ownership of the land in Kelana Jaya in 1991.
The PERMIM EDUCATION FUND BOARD (PEF) was established and launched in November 1997 with a fund of RM111,000 contributed by 20 generous community individuals.
The WAWASAN 2020 Seminar was conducted with Tan Sri Abdul Hassan as the keynote speaker presenting a paper entitled “Outward Perspective Plan”.
The Islamic Finance and Business Seminar was conducted with Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Bin Yakcop as the keynote speaker.
PERMIM was appointed as Member of NECCII for the years 1999-2000 including submissions of Memorandum to the Government on the Community’s needs.
PERMIM was also appointed as Member of the National Community Development Advisory Council Panel for the years 2000-2002.
Social Awareness Programmes especially on marriage practices were organized regularly and conducted by prominent local and foreign speakers.
The MASJID INDIA ACTION COMMITTEE comprising PERMIM, KIMMA and MASJID INDIA JAMAATH was established in 2004 to protest and call upon the government to intervene to demolish the structures in front of Masjid India, not to allow hawking in front of the mosque and not to divert traffic to run alongside the mosque.
PERMIM’s present logo and website www.permim.org was launched in 2005.
PERMM reactivated the publication of its own quarterly newsletter “SUARA PERMIM” in January 2006.
Wisma PERMIM was purchased in 2009 and PERMIM Headquarters moved there in 2010