Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi: Spiritual Leader

Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi (born 5 July 1966) is a prominent Indian Sufi leader and spiritual master from Kichchouchcha Sharif, home to the renowned shrine of Ashraf Jahangir Semnani in Uttar Pradesh. He is an advocate for Sufi Sunni Muslims and the founder and National President of the All India Ulema and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), a movement aimed at promoting Sufi values and countering extremism in India.

As the leader of AIUMB, Kichhouchhwi has rallied Sufi clerics and Muslim leaders to address terrorism and extremism. In 2015, he led a delegation that met the Indian Prime Minister to express concerns about rising extremism. He emphasized that groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda do not represent Islam, advocating for greater awareness and promoting Sufi traditions through initiatives like a "Sufi circuit" to rejuvenate shrines and boost tourism.

Kichhouchhwi has organized large-scale gatherings, known as "Muslim Maha Panchayats," to assert Sufi independence from Wahhabi influences. He has also led protests against controversial Islamic televangelists, including Zakir Naik, for their divisive rhetoric, emphasizing the need for religious harmony.

On the international stage, Kichhouchhwi represented Indian Sufis at the First Asia & Pacific Countries Muslim Religious Leaders' Summit in Turkey, where he called for united action against radicalism. He condemned terrorism as a threat to humanity and highlighted the historical values of Islam rooted in compassion and coexistence.

Following the Paris attacks in 2015, Kichhouchhwi denounced ISIS, stating that their actions violate Islamic principles and history. He has consistently opposed extremist ideologies, asserting that terrorism has no place in any religion, and continues to work toward fostering peace and unity among diverse communities.