Adiraja Muhammed Rafi: A Life Dedicated to Preserving the Legacy of Arakkal

Posted : 09-06-2026

On 3 June 2026, Kannur lost one of its most passionate custodians of history and heritage. Adiraja Muhammed Rafi, son of Sultan Arakkal Adiraja Zainaba Ayishabi, former ruler of the Arakkal Royal Dynasty, and Chief Advisor of the Kannur City Heritage Foundation, passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of cultural preservation, historical research, and public service.

For City Heritage, he was a mentor who actively participated in and supported many of the organisation’s earliest initiatives. As a distinguished representative of the Arakkal heritage, Muhammed Rafi contributed significantly to the Foundation’s efforts in heritage awareness, conservation, storytelling, historical research, and cultural documentation in Kannur.

A historian at heart, a heritage conservationist, and a mentor, Muhammed Rafi devoted his life to ensuring that the rich legacy of the Arakkal Dynasty—Kerala's only Muslim royal family—would continue to inspire future generations. Through his dedication and vision, he became one of the foremost advocates for preserving the history and cultural identity of the Arakkal family.

- Muhammed Rafi participating in the Kannur Muslim Heritage Congress.

Born on 17 March 1961, Muhammed Rafi inherited a deep connection to history and heritage. He completed a Diploma in Communication from Centre Technical College, Calicut, pursued studies in Creative Arts at the prestigious J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai.

His professional career began in Saudi Arabia and later extended to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where he held key positions in marketing, sales, and engineering with leading companies. An accomplished entrepreneur, he established several successful ventures in Saudi Arabia, including Ad & Art, MARS Media, and Loays Link. These enterprises expanded across the Gulf region and served numerous major corporate clients.

Alongside his business achievements, he actively contributed to community development. He served as Advisor to the Malayalee Samajam Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah and as President of the SARAM Charity Organization. He also participated in several editions of the Jeddah Economic Forum, a globally recognized platform for dialogue among international leaders and decision-makers. Notably, he had the opportunity to share a session with former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2002.

Despite his success abroad, his heart remained deeply connected to Kannur and the centuries-old legacy of the Arakkal family.

Custodian of a Historic Legacy

Following the accession of his mother, Adiraja Zainaba Ayishabi, as the 37th ruler of the Arakkal Royal Dynasty in 2006, Muhammed Rafi assumed the role of Mutavalli of 39 mosques and took responsibility for preserving and managing many of the family's historic institutions and properties.

From that point onward, he emerged as one of the most active guardians of Arakkal heritage. Recognizing the urgent need to protect historical records, manuscripts, photographs, and archival materials that were deteriorating with time, he supported and encouraged numerous preservation and documentation initiatives to safeguard these invaluable resources.

- Muhammed Rafi is with Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar

He also worked to revive the historical ties between the Arakkal family and the island communities of Lakshadweep and the Maldives, reconnecting relationships that had existed for centuries.

In 2018, he was jointly invited to Lakshadweep by the Lakshadweep Administration and the Department of Education as a representative of the Arakkal family. The visit was part of a broader vision to revive and strengthen the historic Arakkal–Lakshadweep connection, reflecting the islands' long-standing association with the Arakkal Kingdom, which once played a significant role in the region's trade and governance.

The initiative focused on promoting academic, cultural, and educational programs aimed at fostering greater awareness and understanding of this shared heritage. Accompanying him on this journey was Dr. Shafi, founder of Telephony, a UAE-based company, who supported the effort to reconnect and celebrate this important chapter of regional history.

He served as Chief Coordinator of the Dahlavian Language Institution Project of the Maldives Government in collaboration with universities in Kerala and contributed as a Business Advisor to the Kerala Maritime Board.

- Muhammed Rafi honoring Col. Ajay Sharma, Commander, DSC, Kerala Region, on the completion of his distinguished two-year tenure in Kannur, prior to his transfer to Punjab.

Development of the Arakkal Museum

Perhaps one of Muhammed Rafi’s most enduring contributions was his pivotal role in the development of the Arakkal Museum, one of Kerala’s most significant heritage institutions.

With the support of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Government of Kerala, and members of the Arakkal family, a section of the historic Arakkal Palace transformed into a museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of the Arakkal Dynasty. The palace’s Durbar Hall was renovated and converted into a museum by the Government of Kerala at a cost of approximately ₹90 lakh. The project was undertaken during the tenure of Sri Venu IAS as Deputy Director of Tourism and was formally inaugurated in 2006 by the then Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy.

In 2006, Muhammed Rafi was appointed Chairman of the Arakkal Museum, a position he held with dedication for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, the museum grew into an important centre for heritage education, historical research, and public engagement, attracting students, scholars, historians, and visitors from across India and abroad.

- Arakkal Museum (Image: KTDC Kannur)

He played a crucial role in promoting awareness of the Arakkal rulers and their contributions to the maritime history of the Indian Ocean. Researchers exploring the history of Kannur, Malabar, maritime trade, Islamic heritage, and the Arakkal Dynasty often found in him a patient guide and generous mentor. Through his willingness to share family archives, historical records, oral traditions, and personal insights, he helped make invaluable historical knowledge accessible to future generations.

The Arakkal Museum was also included in the Thalassery Heritage Project (THP), an initiative launched to preserve, protect, and promote significant heritage sites across the Malabar region. Recognizing its historical and cultural importance, the museum was identified as one of the project's key heritage destinations and selected for comprehensive development and conservation.

Architect Vivek and his team were entrusted with preparing a master plan and detailed development proposal for the museum. The project was estimated at ₹20 crore, with ₹13 crore allocated for the first phase and ₹7 crore for the second phase of development. However, despite the completion of the proposal, the project has not progressed as envisioned. Financial constraints faced by the government, coupled with the impacts of severe floods and the COVID-19 lockdown, delayed its implementation. As a result, the proposal for the development of the Arakkal Museum remains pending, with no significant progress made toward its implementation.

A Vision for Preserving the Arakkal Heritage

One of Adiraja Muhammed Rafi’s most significant initiatives was the convening of a historic gathering of royal families from across Kerala. The event, held at Bangla House in Thalassery, brought together representatives of the Kolathiri, Kottayam, Kuttiadi, and other royal lineages of North Kerala, while also receiving appreciation and support from royal families in South Kerala.

- Muhammed Rafi with members of royal families from across Kerala at the gathering.

During this gathering, Muhammed Rafi shared his vision of producing a comprehensive film on the history and legacy of the Arakkal Royal Family. As the first step toward realizing this dream, a comprehensive documentation project on the history and legacy of the Arakkal family was undertaken. This effort culminated in the publication of the book Arakkal Adiraja, authored by Naser Kappad, which remains an important contribution to the preservation of Arakkal heritage.

Although the dream of producing a film on the Arakkal Royal Family remains unfulfilled, the vision continues to inspire those committed to preserving this unique legacy. At City Heritage, we remain committed to carrying forward Adiraja Muhammed Rafi's vision and ensuring that the story of the Arakkal family reaches future generations.

The Role of Kannur City Heritage Foundation in the Revival of Arakkal Heritage

Established in 2017, the Kannur City Heritage Foundation emerged as a pioneering initiative dedicated to heritage conservation in Kannur. Over the years, its vision and activities expanded, eventually evolving into City Heritage, a broader platform focused on documenting, preserving, and interpreting the cultural heritage of the Malabar region.

Among its notable initiatives are the Arakkal Storytelling Trails and the Arakkal Museum Experience, which introduce visitors to the living history of the Arakkal family through guided heritage walks, storytelling, and cultural interpretation. Through these programmes, City Heritage has successfully conducted more than a thousand heritage storytelling sessions across Malabar, creating meaningful connections between local communities and their shared past.

As Chief Advisor of the Kannur City Heritage Foundation, Adiraja Muhammed Rafi played an active role in its growth and activities. He regularly participated in planning meetings, discussions, research initiatives, and heritage conservation programmes. The Foundation has also been deeply involved in supporting research and conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the historic buildings, cultural landscapes, and heritage properties associated with the Arakkal Royal Dynasty in Kannur.

- Muhammed Rafi with the City Heritage Founder Muhammed Shihad.

Through lectures, public programmes, heritage walks, and community engagement activities, City Heritage has consistently highlighted the importance of preserving the region’s cultural heritage. These efforts have helped foster greater public awareness about the significance of heritage conservation and encouraged communities to reconnect with their historical roots.

One of the most significant outcomes of these initiatives was the memorial conference commemorating the 500th martyrdom anniversary of Baliya Hassan, the celebrated commander of the Arakkal Dynasty who was captured and executed by the Portuguese at St. Angelo Fort in 1525. Supported by the Kannur City Heritage Foundation, the conference brought together scholars, historians, government representatives, community leaders, and members of the public. It became a landmark event in Kannur’s heritage calendar, drawing widespread participation and renewing public interest in the region’s rich historical legacy.

- Muhammed Rafi during his Dubai visit.

Today, City Heritage has expanded its activities across the Malabar region, curating heritage events, conservation initiatives, research projects, and storytelling programmes that promote cultural awareness and preservation. In recognition of its contributions to responsible heritage tourism and cultural interpretation, City Heritage received the Silver Award in the Urban Heritage & Cultural Immersion category at the 2025 Outlook Responsible Tourism Awards, marking an important national recognition of its work and impact.

A Legacy That Endures

The contributions of Adiraja Muhammed Rafi to heritage preservation, historical research, and the documentation of the Arakkal family's legacy have left an enduring mark on Kerala’s cultural and historical landscape. Through his dedication, invaluable knowledge, and unwavering commitment, he helped ensure that an important chapter of Kerala’s heritage would be preserved for future generations.

For City Heritage, he was a mentor whose guidance and inspiration helped shape its journey forward.

Though he is no longer with us, the institutions he strengthened, the histories he preserved, and the people he inspired will continue his mission. His life's work stands as a testament to the importance of safeguarding heritage for future generations.