Shining Example of Secular Tradition

Shining Example of Secular Tradition

KODUNGALLUR:A museum set up inside the centuries-old Cheraman mosque, which is considered to be more than 1,400 years old, will reveal the art of antiquity and shed light on the rich past of Kodungallur, delineating the examples of the communal amity that the mosque fosters over the centuries.

The mosque, which is believed to have been constructed in 629 AD by Malik Bin Dinar, a contemporary of the erstwhile king of Kodungallur Cheraman Perumal, and witnessed so many renovations down the decades, is set to undergo another makeover by expanding its museum under the Muziris heritage project.

The members of the mosque committee will add another 6,000 sq ft space, available on the top of the retiring room of the mosque, to the existing museum, the first Islamic museum in the country, as it is vigorously adding more historical artifacts connected with the glorious past of Muslims in Kerala.

Speaking to ‘Express’, Faisal E B, administrative officer of the mosque, said that, “we are in the process of collecting the audio-video footages on the Muslim culture in Kerala,  including the traditional art forms of  Muslims in the state, the artifacts associated with the daily lives of Muslims and all other items pertaining to their past. The digitalised museum will be a top choice of global tourists and we are in the process of getting the museum included in the global tourism information sources by renovating it in tune with world standards.”

The mosque is also a striking example of communal harmony down the centuries and many rich traditions associated with it strike a chord with Hindu customs.

For instance, the ritual of ‘Vidyarambham’ (initiation into the world of letters) is being held in the mosque in traditional Hindu style over the years.

Besides, the original structure of the mosque, especially the architecture and design both inside and outside the mosque, resembles the traditional architecture that existed in the state during the time of colonial era.

Inside the masjid, there is an oil lamp which is believed to be more than 1,000 years old and people of all faith bring oil for the lamp as an offering, underlining the secular traditions of Kerala. 

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The New Indian Express
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