Kazimar Big Mosque
Kazimar Periya Pallivasal or Kazimar Big Mosque is a famous mosque (masjid) located at the heart of Madurai city, within 500 metres of the Periyar (Central) bus stand and within 1 kilometre South East of the Madurai Junction [1] and 800 meters south west of the Meenakshi Temple. Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin (believed to be a descendant of Islamic Prophet Muhammad) who came from Oman during 13th century, received this land from the then Pandiya king, Kulasekara Ku(n) Pandiyan,[2] and constructed the mosque which is the first Muslims' place of worship in Madurai.[3] The mosque can accommodate around 2500 people.
Maqbara
A Madurai Maqbara, the dargah of Madurai Hazrats (Hazrat Meer Ahamad Ibrahim, Hazrat Meer Amjad Ibrahim and Hazrat Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Rahmatullahi Alaihim - Descendants of Islamic Prophet Muhammad) is also located inside the mosque premises.[4] All of Kazi Syed Thajuddheen's descendants (Huqdars - shareholders of this mosque called as Syeds) have lived in the same locality (Kazimar street) for more than 700 years, and have managed the mosque since then. Syed Tajuddin was appointed as Kazi of the sultans, and still his descendants who live at Kazimar street, Madurai, are appointed as Kazis to the Government of Tamil Nadu. All Syeds belong to the Sunni sect of Islam, its Hanafi school and most of the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin are shadhilis (shazuli) who follow the Sufi order Fassiyatush Shadhiliya.
Madrasasa
Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin arabi Madrasah is located inside the mosque campus in which around 120 students learn basic Arabic.
Kazi & Imams
The huqdars of this mosque are being appointed as Kazi's to the government at every age since 13th century right from the period of Hazrat Qazi Syed Tajuddin. The present Government Qazi of madurai is also a huqdar of this mosque and a descendant of Qazi Syed Tajuddin. The Imams & Qatibs of this mosque too are appointed only from the descendants of the founder Hazrat Qazi Syed Tajuddin.
Management
The mosque is being managed by a board of four trustees selected from, among and by the Huqdars of this mosque who are the descendants of the founder of this mosque Hazrat Qazi Syed Tajuddin.Their tenure is for three years.
360 degree view
Being the oldest and important mosque in Tamil Nadu, Kazimar Big Mosque is listed in the 360 degree view list of Tamil daily Dinamalar's web site. 360 degree view of Kazimar big mosque and Madurai Maqbara.
