Cheraman Juma Masjid

Structure of old Cheraman Masjid

The Cheraman Jum'ah Masjid is a mosque in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala.^[1][2][3] The Cheraman Masjid is the very first mosque in India, built in 629 AD by Malik lbn Dinar,^[4] an Arab propagator of Islam and a follower and contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.^[5][6][7][8] 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

History

Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and India 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 India and Southeast Asia. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.^[9] Cheraman Perumal, the Chera king, went to Arabia where he met the Prophet and embraced Islam and changed his name to Tajuddin.^[10] From there he had sent letters with Malik Ibn Dinar to his relatives in Kerala, asking them to be courteous to the latter.^[3] According to Burnell he was a contemporary of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.^[11]

In the 7th Century, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala and constructed a Masjid at Kodungalloor, naming it after their contemporary Cheraman Perumal.^[12]

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.^{[citation needed]}. The then president of India Abdul Kalam is among the notable visitors to this mosque.