Cheraman Juma Masjid

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Cheraman Juma Masjid
Location On the Paravur - Kodungalloor Road, NH-17, Methala, Kodungalloor Taluk
Architectural information
Style Traditional temple architecture

Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] The Cheraman Masjid is said to be the very first mosque in India, built in 629 AD by Malik lbn Dinar. 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.[1]

History

File photograph of the Cheraman Juma Masjid from 1905
Photograph of the Cheraman Juma Masjid, 2012
List of Chera kings
Early Cheras
Uthiyan Cheralathan  ·   Nedum Cheralathan  ·   Selva Kadumko Valiathan   ·   Senguttuvan Chera  · Illam Cheral Irumporai  ·   Mantaran Cheral
Interregnum (c.300800)
Later Cheras
Kulashekhara Varma 800-820
Rajashekhara Varma 820-844
Sthanu Ravi Varma 844-885
Rama Varma Kulashekhara 885-917
Goda Ravi Varma 917-944
Indu Kotha Varma 944-962
Bhaskara Ravi Varma I 962-1019
Bhaskara Ravi Varma II 1019-1021
Vira Kerala 1021-1028
Rajasimha 1028-1043
Bhaskara Ravi Varma III 1043–1082
Ravi Rama Varma 1082-1090
Rama Varma Kulashekhara 1090-1102
Related articles
Silappatikaram  ·   Patiṟṟuppattu
Muchiri  ·   Thondi  · Vanchi
Tholan  · Śaṅkaranārāyaṇa
Cheraman Perumal  ·   Mukundamala
Kollam Era
Battle of Kandalur Salai
School of Astronomy and Mathematics  ·   Vazhapalli plates

Kerala Vyasan Kunhikuttan Thampuran is of the opinion that a piece of land was gifted to the Muslims to establish a mosque.[2] Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and the Indian subcontinent 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 South and Southeast Asia. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.[3] Numerous Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala accepted the principles of the new religion and converted to Islam. The Brahmin[citation needed] King Cheraman Perumal was the first Indian that convert to Islam[4] based on a popular historical event.

The event was that a group of The Islamic prophet Muhammad's Sahaba (companions) visited Kodungallur. The Chera ruler witnessed a miraculous happening the sudden splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, Perumal traveled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajudeen.[citation needed] On his way back to India he died at Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala and constructed a Masjid at Kodungalloor. As the construction of masjid was sponsored by the King Cheraman, it was named the Cheraman Juma Masjid.[4][5][6]

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 mosques in Kerala, this mosque allows entry for Non-Muslims.

Architecture

The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style using brass oil lamps. The rosewood pulpit, from where the imam recites the Friday Jumu'ah, is covered with carvings. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Makkah.[citation needed]

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.keralatourism.org-Cheraman Juma Masjid
  2. www.keralatourism.org-Cheraman Juma Masjid
  3. "Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community". Islam in India. Dr. Hussein Randathani. Archived from the original on 2006-06-22. Retrieved 2006-08-09. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Hindu patron of Muslim heritage site". iosworld.org. Retrieved 2006-08-09. 
  5. "World’s second oldest mosque is in India". Bahrain tribune. Archived from the original on 2006-07-06. Retrieved 2006-08-09. 
  6. "Kalam to visit oldest mosque in sub-continent". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2005-07-23. Retrieved 2006-08-09. 

Coordinates: 10°12′46″N 76°12′08″E / 10.21278°N 76.20222°E / 10.21278; 76.20222

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