Our ancestors who lived in Thiruvarur settled in Kodikkalpalayam in the year 1452 AD (872 AH). In those days, they were heavily involved in agriculture for a living. Later, some of them ventured into small business in the urban areas of Thiruvarur and some went abroad (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma) for business. Among those who explored beyond the shores, some came to Singapore (then it was known as the Malay Peninsula) in the 17th century. Our forefathers who came and settled in Singapore then, became involved and made their mark in a myriad of industries. They brought pride and glory to both Singapore and Kodikkalpalayam.
Moreover, our ancestors have always been engaged and invested in the developments and activities that took place at Kodikkalpalayam. The help rendered by the merchants of Singapore during the construction of the Muhaiyadeen Mosque in 1735 AD, the erection of the Maulidu Hall and the Minarets in 1877 AD and the arrangement of the Howul (Ablution pond for prayer) in 1910 AD is notable. Thus, the connection between Singapore and the Kodikkalpalayam started more than 300 years ago. Over the years, youths and families from Kodikkalpalayam have migrated to Singapore for higher education and work. Eventually, many of them also choose to settle in Singapore with their families..
In 2001, the late Haji A.J.Mohamed Ali (Ali Wappa, S /o M.Abdul Jabbar) organized a family gathering at East Coast beach to promote unity among the descendants from Kodikkalpalayam. At the end of the gathering, he presented a small directory containing the contact details of all the people from Kodikkalpalayam to all attendees. It was notable that this directory was very detailed, containing the name, telephone number and addresses of all Kodikkalpalayam descendants living in Singapore and it was specially prepared by him. At that juncture, he mooted the idea of forming an association, considering the unity of our people living in Singapore.
Subsequently, on 15.01.2005, S. Sultanul Arifeen (S/o. M.Sheikh Mohamed), A. Ubaidali (S/o. Late V.P.M Abdul Razack), K. Mohamed Jakkaria (S/o. S.M.A.Kaleekkujjaman), A. Mohamed Barakathullah (S/o. M.Abdul Aziz) joined hands together and embarked on this initiative with an opinion poll. A letter was sent to everyone from Kodikkalpalayam asking for their opinion regarding the commencement of the association and subsequently a small meeting was held on 17.04.2005. It was attended by many young and old from our hometown. At that meeting, a committee of five members were appointed to make efforts regarding the formation of this association. Their details are as follows:
- S. Sultanul Arifeen (S/o. M.Sheikh Mohamed)
- A. Ubaidali (S/o. Late V.P.M. Abdul Razack)
- K. Mohamed Jakkaria (S/o. S.M.A.Kaleekkujjaman)
- A. Mohamed Barakathullah (S/o. M.Abdul Aziz)
- N. Khader Ali (S/o. Late V.S.A.Noor Mohamed)
It was discussed on how to run the association within the legal framework of Singapore. It is no exaggeration to say that our heartfelt Late Haji A.J.Mohamed Ali (Ali Wappa, S/o. M.AbdulJabbar) is the one who gave timely encouragement and suggestions. However, due to circumstances then, works related to the association did not come to fruition. This setback did not waver our determination. In fact, it made our resolve stronger.
Over time, the population of Kodikkalpalayam descendants increased in Singapore. About 11 years later in 2016, V.S.N Khader Ali (S/o. Late V.S.A.Noor Mohamed) reconvened the great effort to form the association by communicating and discussing with our brothers from kodikkalpalayam in small groups. It was apparent that everyone had the same opinion on forming an association. On 03.09.2017, the brothers from Kodikkalpalayam congregated at the Masjid Bencoolen with a collective intention to form an association. It was attended by many people, mostly senior citizens and youth.
In the meeting, a committee of five persons was formed to carry out the preparations related to the registration of the association. The details of the group are as follows:
- S. Sultanul Arifeen (S/o. M.Sheikh Mohamed)
- N. KhaderAli (S/o. Late V.S.A.Noor Mohamed)
- A. Ubaidali (S/o. Late V.P.M.Abdul Razack)
- A. Haja Kothubudeen (S/o.Late M.E. Abdul Kader)
- A. Mohamed Rahmathullah (S/o. M.Abdul Aziz)
The committee consulted Auditor Dr. M.A. Kader on the steps needed for the formation of the Association and expedited the preparatory work needed for registering with the Registry of Societies.
In the same meeting, another five persons were appointed to rally all the people of Kodikkalpalayam for the next meeting on 18.10.2017. Their details are as follows:
- K. Mohamed Jakkaria (S/o. S.M.A.Kaleekkujjaman)
- A. Anwar Sathath (S/o. N.Amanullah)
- H.S. Syed Irfan (S/o. Late V.S.Hameed Sulthan)
- E. Ilyas Mohamed (S/o. Late V.S.N.Mohamed Ibrahim)
- A. Mohamed Shajahan (S/o. A.M.Abdul Wahid)
By the grace of Allah, a consultative meeting was held on 18.10.2017 at Masjid Bencoolen with the participation of many people from our hometown. In that meeting, the Late A.J.Mohamed Ali (Ali Wappa) and the Late A.R.M.Mohamed Yusoof addressed the gathering and shared their wisdom on starting the association. There and then, it was unanimously decided to name our association as KODIKKALPALAYAM ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE).
A. Ubaidali (S/o. Late V.P.M.Abdul Razack) drafted the Constitution for our Association and revised it after consulting with fellow committee members and the Auditor. He also completed the work related to the Registry of Societies which is required to commence our association.
By the great grace of Allah, Our association was registered in the Registry of Societies and recognized as KODIKKALPALAYAM ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE) in the gazette on 16.12.2018.
The Inauguration Ceremony of the association was celebrated on 17.02.2019 at Masjid Bencoolen function Hall. The ceremony was graced by Haji A. Mohamed Irshad (ex-Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore), the Honorary Advisor to our Association, Auditor Dr. M.A.Kader, dignitaries from the Federation of Indian Muslims(FIM), as well as over a hundred residents from Kodikkalpalayam.
Here is our first Management Committee which played a pivotal role in the historic launch of our association. The MC members who have toiled from an early stage ensuring adherence to all necessary government regulations and laid the solid groundwork needed to form an association in Singapore:
- N. Khader Ali (S/o. Late V.S.A.Noor Mohamed)
- S. Sultanul Arifeen (S/o. M.Sheikh Mohamed)
- A. Ubaidali (S/o. Late V.P.M.Abdul Razack)
- A. Mohamed Rahmathullah (S/o. M.Abdul Aziz)
- K. Mohamed Jakkaria (S/o. S.M.A.Kaleekkujjaman)
- S. Mohamed Noor (S/o. Late K.M.M.Sultan Abdul Kader)
- A. Anwar Sathath (S/o. N.Amanullah)
- A. Mohamed Barakathullah (S/o. M.Abdul Aziz)
- A. Haja Kothubudeen (S/o.Late M.E. Abdul Kader)
- M. Mohamed Haja Najubudeen (S/o. Late A.Mohamed Hamith.)
- K. Haja Kiyasudeen (S/o. Late M.M.Kamaludeen)
- A. Abdul Rahman (S/o. Late K.S.M.Ahmed)
- J. Faizal Mohamed (S/o M.A.Jamal Mohamed)