Cheraman Juma Masjid 1

Cheraman Juma Masjid

Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Kodungallur in the Indian state of Kerala. Believed to be built in 629 AD
by Malik Bin Deenar, it is considered as the oldest mosque in India, and the second oldest mosque in the world to
offer Jumu'ah prayers.[1] [2] Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammad, the bodies of some of his original
followers are said to be buried here.[3] Unlike other mosques in Kerala that face westwards this mosque faces
eastwards.

History
Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and the Indian
subcontinent were active. Even before Islam had been established in
Arabia, Arab traders used to visit the Malabar region, which was a 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.[4] Numerous Indians living in the
coastal areas of Kerala were moved by the principles of Islam and
reverted. King Cheraman Perumal is said to be the first convert to File photograph of the Cheraman Juma Masjid
Islam in India.[5] showing influences of traditional Hindu
architecture on the mosque.
Legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Sahaba (companions)
visited Kodungallur. Cheraman Perumal, then the Chera ruler, had
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
travelled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam, and accepted the name Thajudeen. 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 the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.[5] [1] [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. This is one of the few mosques in Kerala which allow entry
for people of other religions. In recent years, the mosque has observed vidyarambham, a Hindu initiation ritual
marking the beginning of a child's learning.

Architecture
The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural style employed in construction of Hindu temples. Similar
to Hindu tradition, the mosque uses brass oil lamps. The rosewood pulpit, from where the priest recites the Friday
Jumu'ah, is covered with carvings akin to those seen in Hindu architecture.[3] A block of white marble in the mosque
is believed to have been brought from Makkah.

See also
• Islam in India
Cheraman Juma Masjid 2

External links
• Tourist Places, Thrissur [7]

References
[1] "World’s second oldest mosque is in India" (http:/ / www. bahraintribune. com/ ArticleDetail. asp?CategoryId=4& ArticleId=49332). Bahrain
tribune. . Retrieved 2006-08-09.
[2] Cheraman Juma Masjid A Secular Heritage (http:/ / www. islamicvoice. com/ june. 2004/ miscellany. htm#cjm)
[3] A mosque from a Hindu king (http:/ / www. indiatraveltimes. com/ travelogue/ mosque. html)
[4] "Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community" (http:/ / www. jaihoon. com/ watan/ indarbmappilacommunity. htm). Islam in India. Dr.
Hussein Randathani. . Retrieved 2006-08-09.
[5] "Hindu patron of Muslim heritage site" (http:/ / www. iosworld. org/ interview_cheramul. htm). iosworld.org. . Retrieved 2006-08-09.
[6] "Kalam to visit oldest mosque in sub-continent" (http:/ / www. hindu. com/ 2005/ 07/ 23/ stories/ 2005072306490500. htm). The Hindu. .
Retrieved 2006-08-09.
[7] http:/ / www. thrissurkerala. com/ tourist/ athirappilly. html
Article Sources and Contributors 3

Article Sources and Contributors

Cheraman Juma Masjid  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=332993672  Contributors: Alexf, Arafath.riyath, Auric, CambridgeBayWeather, Challiyan, Cremepuff222,
CultureDrone, Jaraalbe, Jyothis, Koavf, Kuaichik, Lalithajoshi, Longhairandabeard, Malayali youth, Mattisse, Moreschi, Salih, Shahinmusthafa, Sumahoy, Syed Atif Nazir, Thunderboltz, 15
anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Cheraman Juma Masjid.gif  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cheraman_Juma_Masjid.gif  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was
Thunderboltz at en.wikipedia

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