Ashraf Kadakkal, who is an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi, teaches Islamic history at Kerala University. He studied at TKM College, Kollam, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and Al Azhar University, Cairo. He is a historian and author who attracted media attention for his opinion and stand on the influence of Salafism among Kerala Muslims. He is the author of Sacharinte Keralaparisaram.