Maulana Mahmood A. Madani was born in 1964 in the most illustrious family who played a key role in the freedom movement of India. His grandfather, Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani, the great Scholar of Islamic theology, a teacher of Hadith (traditions of Prophet) in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, and in Darul Uloom Deoband, devoted his life to the struggle for freedom. His father, Maulana As’ad Madani also played important role in India’s national politics for half a century as Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind leader and Rajya Sabha MP for about 17 years.

After graduation from Darul Uloom Deoband in Islamic theology in 1992 Maulana Mahmood A. Madani commenced his career as social and community worker from the platform of the largest and the oldest Muslim organization, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) of which he eventually became the General Secretary in the year 2001 and continues as such till May 2021. His stint as General Secretary was significantly marked by his long struggle for the upliftment of the Muslim community. He led the legal and political interventions against branding of Muslim community as terrorists and as well as ensuring security and survival of community in the face of communalism and rising tide of Islamophobia.

On May 27, 2021. Maulana Madani was elected JUH National President. He also served as a Member of Parliament (RAJYA SABHA) during 2006-2012.   

He is one of the most influential Indian Muslim leaders with large following all over India and also across the world. He is recognized as an Islamic scholar, public speaker, social worker and preacher of Islamic humanitarian values, tolerance, and peace. 

Through the platform of JUH, he has consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms. Besides organizing about 200 anti-terrorism conferences all over the country, Maulana Madani has been instrumental in organizing massive public gatherings at the Ramlila Ground in Delhi in May 2008 and at Hyderabad in November 2008 to mobilize the Muslim masses and religious clergy against terrorism. A three-day World Peace Conference was held at Deoband and Delhi between 13-15 December 2013, and it was attended by 200 prominent religious clergy from across the world, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives, and the UK. He organized a protest rally in 75 cities simultaneously in the wake of the Paris terror attacks of November 2015.

 In the recent years, he attended many international and national events and promptly condemned emergence of Middle East based terrorism – Daesh which has posed threat to entire globle.

Maulana Madani has been instrumental in combating Islamophobia and religious-based crimes against Indian Muslims, founding the Justice and Empowerment of Minorities (JEM) to systematically document cases of Islamophobia and provide advocacy for the victims.

Moreover, he actively promotes unity in diversity and harmonious relations between different faiths in India. He has organized over 1000 interfaith conferences, “Sadhbhwana Sansad,” involving leaders of various faiths, continuing the legacy of his famous grandfather, Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani.

Maulana Madani’s dedication extends to humanitarian, welfare, and educational activities, including relief work during tragedies, education of over a million children in Madrasas with an upgraded curriculum, and the certification of Madrasa students at the secondary level. Under his leadership, the Jamiat Youth Club (JYC) empowers young individuals with a wide range of skills.

His humanitarian and welfare work earned him notable recognition. Over his 29 years with the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, he played a crucial role in rehabilitating thousands of victims of homelessness, riots, and natural disasters across various regions, including Gujarat, Bihar, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kashmir, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Mewat-Haryana, and beyond. His efforts extended internationally to aid victims of the 2000 Sri Lanka cyclone, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the 2017 Bangladesh-Myanmar refugee crisis, and the 2023 Turkey earthquake. He is also great supporter of minorities’ rights and those marginalised. In gist, his presence matters to India and its characters of secularism and pluralism.

His work is significant for the 200 million-strong Indian Muslim community, especially in the face of rising extremism and threats to their rights and well-being. Maulana Madani’s influence and initiatives contribute to India’s principles of secularism, pluralism, and communal harmony.

He was honoured as the “Persons of the Year” 2023 by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre Jordan & Ranked (15th) among the 500 most influential Muslims in the World list -2023. https://themuslim500.com/books/The Muslim 500 2023 edition