Kochi  :

As a mark of tribute to the memory of the legendary man who took the pride of the country to the world and beyond, India’s first mosque, Cheraman Juma Masjid, will dedicate a portion of its Islamic Heritage Museum to A P J Abdul Kalam.

“The Islamic museum sheds light on the composite culture that existed in the God’s Own Country during the medieval period and showcases the relics of the rich past. In honour of the former President, it will be equipped with the digital collections of his visit to the legendary mosque and the town along with other documents,” said Faisal E B, administrative officer of the mosque. “We would also hold a meeting of various stakeholders this week to chalk out a plan to this effect,” he added.

It was hardly a decade ago when Kalam visited Cheraman Juma Masjid, considered to be the oldest mosque in the country, situated at the ancient port town of Kodungallur in Thrissur. The illustrious son of the country who visited the legendary 1400-year-old mosque on July 29 in 2005, wrote on the guest book, “I pray in the ancient mosque for the peace and prosperity of the country.”

The mosque committee is renovating the ancient monument under Muzaris Heritage Project of the state government. It is being renovated in tune with the style of Kerala architecture that existed during the times of the Cherman Perumal, the last of the Chera kings who ruled Kerala with Kodungalloor as their capital. The mosque is believed to have been constructed in 629 AD by Malik Bin Dinar, a contemporary of king Cheraman Perumal. “We would set aside a space for the former President in the renovated mosque, which already carries a plaque of his visit. The museum in the mosque would soon be expanded to include digital collection of the Muslim culture in Kerala. It will also carry the relics of the visit of the Missile Man to the mosque,” said Dr Mohammed Syed, president of the mosque committee.

The committee is already in the process of collecting audio-video footages of the Muslim culture in Kerala, which include the traditional art forms of the community, the artifacts associated with their daily life and other such memorials.

“The digitalised museum will be a top choice for global tourists and we are in the process renovating it in tune with world standards,” said a member of the mosque authority.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / The Sunday Standard / by Dhinesh Kallungal / August 02nd, 2015