KOCHI: Claiming to be first-of-its-kind in the state, an Islamic art gallery and heritage centre will soon come up at Fort Kochi. According to the Forum for Faith and Fraternity and Masjidul Islam Charitable and Cultural Trust, the art gallery and heritage centre is aimed at spreading secular thoughts and principles among the public. Interestingly, the organisers have set up the Islamic art gallery and heritage centre atop a mosque.
“This may be the first time in the country a mosque is giving space for artwork. We hope this will help develop a secular approach among the public,” C H Abdul Raheem, chairman, Forum for Faith and Fraternity, told reporters here on Thursday.According to them, the heritage centre will give an insight into Islamic history, various art forms and the contribution it made to the science and literature and different culture. All these will be exhibited through photographs, plaque and statues set up at the art gallery.
“The gallery will also display shlokas from the Maharabaratha and sermons from the Bible. Through this, we are trying to exhibit the historic ties between religions. Such a mosque will not be seen anywhere in the country. We are not trying to promote the Islamic culture through this,” K A Mohammed Ashraf, Chairman, Masjidul Islam Charitable and Cultural Trust.
The art gallery and the Heritage centre will be opened to the public from April 8. K V Thomas MP will inaugurate the centre. Film academy chairman Kamal will be also the chief guest. The photo exhibition of Biju Abraham, which focuses on the 42 communities living in and around Mattancherry and Fort Kochi, will begin on the same day at the art gallery.