- Cheraman Juma Masjid
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Cheraman Juma Masjid 
The renovated 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. But, according to Nathan Katz, the accuracy of these claims is uncertain.[2] 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.[3]
Contents
History
File photograph of the Cheraman Juma Masjid from 1905
Part of a series on the Chera dynasty 
Kings · Uthiyan Cheralathan · Imayavaramban Nedun-Cheralatan · Cheran Senguttuvan · Tagadur Erinda Perumcheral · Yanaikat-sey Mantaran Cheral · Kulashekhara Alwar · Rajashekhara Varman · Rama Varma Kulashekhara Capitals Vanchi Muthur Karur · Muchirippattanam Mahodayapuram · Kulasekharapuram Others Kalabhra interregnum Sangam period Patiṟṟuppattu Ay kingdom Ezhimala Hill Keralavarma (Kulasekhara) Mukundamala Tyndis Jaffna Vellalar Cheraman Perumal Kandalur War Adi Shankara Medieval Chola Empire Kerala school Malayalam calendar Vazhapalli plates After the Cheras Kingdom of Calicut Venad Kolathunadu Kingdom of Cochin Kerala Vyasan Kunhikuttan Thampuran is of the opinion that an old Buddha temple was gifted to the Muslims to establish a mosque.[4] 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.[5] Numerous Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala accepted the principles of the new religion and converted to Islam. King Rama Varma Kulashekhara is alleged to be the first convert to Islam in India[6] based on a popular Muslim legend.
The legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Sahaba (companions) visited Kodungallur. An unknown 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. 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.[6][7][8]
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 allows entry for people of other religions.
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]
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A close up view of the mosque
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Another view of the mosque
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Former President Abdul Kalam's appearance noted
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Renovation year noted
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Qiblah architecture
See also
External links
Adina Mosque • Aasfi Masjid • Atala Masjid, Jaunpur • Babri Mosque • Charminar, Hyderabad • Chempittapally • Cheraman Juma Masjid • Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai • Goripalayam Mosque • Gyanvapi Mosque • Haji Ali Dargah • Hazratbal Shrine • Jama Masjid, Agra • Jama Masjid, Bijapur • Jama Masjid, Delhi • Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri • Jama Masjid, Jaunpur • Jama Masjid, Mumbai • Jamia Masjid, Srinagar • Judi Mosque • Juma Masjid, Pullancheri • Lal Masjid, Delhi • Malik Dinar Mosque • Mampuram Mosque • Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad • Mishkal Mosque • Moti Masjid (Delhi) • Mubarak Mosque (Qadian) • Nakhoda Masjid • Odathil Palli • Palayam Juma Masjid • Panbari Mosque • Sidi Bashir Mosque • Sidi Saiyyed Mosque • Sir Syed Masjid • Taj-ul-Masajid • Thazhathangady Juma Masjid • Thousand Lights Mosque • Tipu Sultan Mosque
Category – Mosques by countryReferences
- ^ http://www.keralatourism.org-Cheraman Juma Masjid
- ^ Katz, Nathan. Who Are the Jews of India?. University of California Press. p. 20.
- ^ http://www.keralatourism.org-Cheraman Juma Masjid
- ^ www.keralatourism.org-Cheraman Juma Masjid
- ^ "Genesis and Growth of the Mappila Community". Islam in India. Dr. Hussein Randathani. Archived from the original on 2006-06-22. http://web.archive.org/web/20060622220846/http://jaihoon.com/watan/indarbmappilacommunity.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
- ^ a b "Hindu patron of Muslim heritage site". iosworld.org. http://www.iosworld.org/interview_cheramul.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
- ^ "World’s second oldest mosque is in India". Bahrain tribune. Archived from the original on 2006-07-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20060706220818/http://www.bahraintribune.com/ArticleDetail.asp?CategoryId=4&ArticleId=49332. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
- ^ "Kalam to visit oldest mosque in sub-continent". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2005-07-23. http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/23/stories/2005072306490500.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
- A column in Daily jang by renowned Pakistani Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, NI & Bar, HI
- jang.com.pk
Coordinates: 10°12′46″N 76°12′08″E / 10.21278°N 76.20222°E
Categories:- Mosques in India
- Thrissur district
- Places of worship in Thrissur district
- History of Thrissur district
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