Markaz is now, not just the name of an educational conglomerate situated at Karanthur in Kozhikode, South India. But it also represents the dignity, self-respect, progress and other achievements that the Muslim community in India has accrued over the years. Markaz truly has been a harbinger of social and cultural change as far as post-independence Indian Muslims are concerned. The community which had been experiencing backwardness on account of a variety of historical and social reasons has managed to shake off its lethargy and embark on a path towards a bright future, thanks Markaz’s four-decade long efforts. Markaz, through its innumerable and innovative programs opened up a new direction and destination for the Muslim community in the country. Not only Markaz initiated many programs for the community, more crucially, it successfully managed to sustain those programs till it reached its logical end. This has made the future of the community a lot better. The term Markaz itself means ‘center’. This effectively places Markaz at the center of Indian Muslim’s educational, social and cultural progress aspirations. Within no time Markaz has grown up into an institution for Indian Muslims to look up to and relay on. Markaz enabled Muslims in this country to dream big. It emphatically had redrawn the limits of their thought process, subsequent actions and social imaginations. Muslim kids from economically backward families who managed to get admission at Markaz institutions received quality education and later excelled in their academic pursuits. Comparing with other communities and societies, historically Muslim community in the country has lagged behind in all social welfare indicators. But under the guidance of Markaz-run institutions, it has made tremendous progress in education sector. Muslim society in Kerala is currently the most literate among world Muslim communities. This achievement is a direct outcome of Markaz’s decision to start educational institutions even at the most remote and backward areas of the region. Initially, Markaz has focused its energy solely in Kerala. But later it expanded its operations throughout India and abroad. Undoubtedly it increased its responsibilities and duties by many folds. It takes care of orphans, needy and destitute. It provides spiritual guidance for millions of believers. Markaz believes in giving each individual and place what is needed and necessary. Needless to say, Markaz has now become an institution of Pan-Indian presence. One of the remarkable aspects of Markaz’s work has been its success in forcing other community organizations to start Markaz-like institutions. Markaz, throughout its existence, has been trying to address the fundamental issues faced by the community. The method it adopted was more social than communitarian. Ensuring the social progress of community through social level intervention has been the success mantra for Markaz throughout. Therefore, Markaz placed great premium on its effort in the area of education, health, housing and other basic infrastructures. Markaz also worked as an intermediary between government and community when it comes to matters of social welfare programs. This has helped not just Muslims but other communities and nation as a whole. Markaz believes that a civic sense informed by religion and social concerns goes a long way in the development of the community as well as nation building. It treats Muslims as equal participants in nation building, equal in rights, duties and responsibilities and on par with other communities. As mentioned earlier, Markaz is a sign, the sign of Indian Muslim’s peaceful and sustainable future.