By Shafeeq Hudawi
Kozhikode: The Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungallur, Kerala, built in AD 629, holds a special place in Islam’s history in India. The Mosque, built by Malik Ibn Dinar, one of the followers of Prophet Mohammed, is believed to be the first mosque in the country, and is all set to have a heritage museum along with a digital library. Touted to be first of its kind in the state, the museum will envisage the cultural history of Muslims in Kerala while the digital library will feature the Muslim art and literary works.
The project has been mooted by Kerala Tourism Department as part of its proposed Muziris project, aimed at giving a boost to the history of Kodungallur. It will be set up in a plot adherent to the mosque. According to Dr. P A Mohammed Zaid, president of Cheraman mosque committee, a panel of eminent historians and academics across the country has been formed for the implementation of the project. The panel has started working on the project and certain recommendations have been submitted before the Tourism Department on how the unique concept is materialised.
Murals and paintings about the Muslim heritage will be on display while audio-visual documentation along with photographs will be at the museum. “It has been decided to make it quite unconventional in narrating the rich history of Muslims in Kerala. Efforts are on to make it unique in terms of display and narration. All possible technologies will be utilised in a bid to draw history lovers,” Mohammed Zaid said.
The story of Cheraman Perumal, the ancient Chera king, who went to Mecca and met Prophet and embraced Islam, will be told elaborately through the mural paintings. Renowned mural artist in Kerala from Kalady Saju Thuruthil has been entrusted the duty of preparing murals to adorn the museum. Besides, the contributions of Kodungallur in freedom struggle and the history of Muslim rulers will be also narrated through audio-visual presentations in addition to paintings and photographs.
Works which include Arabi Malayalam poems, better known as Malas and Baiths, will found a remarkable place in the library. Besides, the historic documents pertaining Islamic history will be also put in the library. The works, which are now available in the print format, will be converted to digital format as part of the project under the supervision of experts.