Cheraman Juma Mosque

Cheraman Juma Masjid

The renovated Cheraman Juma Masjid
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Basic information
Location Methala, Kodungalloor
Geographic coordinates 220px
10°13′12″N 76°11′38″E / 10.22°N 76.194°E / 10.22; 76.194Coordinates: 10°13′12″N 76°11′38″E / 10.22°N 76.194°E / 10.22; 76.194
Affiliation Islam
District Thrissur
State Kerala
Completed 629 AD
Length 61m
Width 24m

The Cheraman Juma Masjid (Malayalam:ചേരമാൻ പള്ളി) is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District in the Indian state of Kerala.[1][2][3] Built in 629 AD, it is the first mosque in India.[4][5][6] It was built by Malik Deenar, an Arab propagator of Islam and a follower and contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.[7][8][9][10] It is believed that this mosque was first renovated and reconstructed in the 11th century AD. Many non-Muslims conduct initiation ceremonies to the world of letters of their children here.[3]

History

Structure of old Cheraman Masjid

Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and India were active. Even before Islam had been established in Arabia, Arab traders visited the Malabar region, which was a major link between the ports of India and Southeast Asia.

With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.[11] According to Keralan legend, Cheraman Perumal, the Chera king, went to Arabia where he met Muhammad and embraced Islam and changed his name to Tajuddin.[12]

From there he had sent letters with Malik Ibn Dinar to his relatives in Kerala, asking them to be courteous to the latter.[3] According to Burnell he was a contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.[13]

In the 7th Century, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in Thrissur District constructed a Masjid at Kodungalloor, naming it after their contemporary Cheraman Perumal.[14]

The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People of all religions bring oil for the lamp as offering. Like most, this mosque allows entry for Non-Muslims.[15] The then president of India Abdul Kalam is among the notable visitors to this mosque.

In April 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a gold-plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.[16][17][18]

Location

Masjid is located in the Paravur - Kodungalloor Road, NH-66 at Kodungalloor taluk, Thrissur District.

References

  1. ↑ "Oldest Indian mosque sets new precedent".
  2. ↑ "1400-year-old mosque to be restored to its original form".
  3. 1 2 3 Kerala Tourism - Official Website Cheraman Juma Masjid
  4. ↑ "Mosque in Kerala dates back to the Prophet's time".
  5. ↑ "Tinkering with the past".
  6. ↑ "Indian PM to visit centuries-old mosque in Kerala".
  7. ↑ "Cheraman Juma Masjid: A 1,000-year-old lamp burns in this mosque".
  8. ↑ "PM Narendra Modi likely to visit India's oldest mosque during Kerala trip".
  9. ↑ "Solomon To Cheraman".
  10. ↑ "'Cheraman Juma Masjid': The first mosque of India, built in 629".
  11. ↑ Hussein Randathani. "Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community" 16 Dec. 2005 JAIHOON.COM
  12. ↑ Randathani, Dr.Hussain (2007). A study on society and anti colonial struggles. Calicut: other books. ISBN 81-903887-8-9.
  13. ↑ Ittaman, KP. Amini Islanders New Delhi: Abhinav Publications, 2003. Print.
  14. ↑ Staff Reporter. "Kalam to visit oldest mosque in sub-continent". The Hindu [Chennai, Tamil Nadu] 23 Jul, 2005: Kerala - Thrissur. Web
  15. ↑ "ചേരമാന്‍ പള്ളിയിലേയ്‌ക്കു ഒരു ചരിത്രയാത്ര" (in Malayalam). Nostalgia Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "PM Narendra Modi Gifts Saudi King Gold Replica Of Kerala Mosque".
  17. ↑ "PM Modi Gift to Saudi King".
  18. ↑ "PM Modi gifts gold-plated replica of ancient Kerala mosque to Saudi King".

See also

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