A. K. A. Abdul Samad

A.K.A. Abdul Samad (4 October 1926 – 4 November 1999) was a prominent Tamil politician, and an important leader of the Indian Union Muslim League. He was also a journalist, editor, author, educationist and businessman. He is popularly known in his native states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala by the title "Siraj-ul-Millat" (Light of the Nation).

Early life Abdul samad was born on 4 October 1926 at Karaikal, Pondicherry French India. His father was an Indian freedom fighter and great scholar Allama A.K. Abdul hameed Baqavi and he was the first person to translate the Quran into Tamil language.

Association with political parties All India General Secretary, Indian Union Muslim League State President (Tamil Nadu), Indian Union Muslim League

Political career MP, Ninth Lok Sabha, 1989–91 (affiliated with Indian National Congress, serving Vellore, TN) MP, Seventh Lok Sabha, 1980–84 (Independent, serving Vellore, TN) MLA, Legislative Assembly, Tamil Nadu, 1984–88 (affiliated with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam serving Triplicane, Chennai) MP, Rajya Sabha, 1964–76

Government experience Member, Public Accounts Committee, Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, 1985–86 Member, Public Accounts Committee, Rajya Sabha Member, Committee on Absence of Members from the Sittings of the House and Committee on Petitions, 7th Lok Sabha Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rajya Sabha Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Rajya Sabha Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Industry, 1990

Delegation to foreign countries Member, IPD to Yugoslavia, 1971 Member, Govt. of India's Haj Delegation, 1971 and 1989

Memberships Syndicate Member, Madras University Senate Member, Annamalai University Court Member, Aligarh Muslim University President, Muslim Educational Association of South India (MEASI) Chairman, Board of Islamic Studies, Madras University

Publications Sweet Memories of Sacred Haj (Tamil) 'Narpaniyatri Nabi Mani' (Muhammad's Biography in Tamil) 'An Introduction to Holy Quran' (Tamil) Founder-Editor, Mani Chudar (Tamil Daily) Founder-Editor, Mani Vilakkur (Tamil Monthly) Publisher, Crescent (English Weekly)

Social activities Amelioration of the down-trodden Communal harmony Spread of higher education amongst Muslim minorities