© Kerala News
India’s oldest mosque can be reopened after the renovation

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KERALA – India’s first and oldest mosque is ready to welcome Muslims and the general public again. Cheraman Juma Masjid is ready to open after renovation and conservation work.

The mosque, built in classic beauty and style in AD 629, was restored for almost 30 months as part of the state-run Muziris Heritage Project (MHP).

Reported in NDTV, Thursday (23.09.), This place of worship is located in Kodungallur Taluk, in the center of Kerala. Its historical structure was restored in keeping with its original character and aesthetic for 11.4 million rupees (2.1 billion rupees).

In addition to the renovation and conservation initiatives that began in May 2019, a two-story Islamic Heritage Museum was also built in the mosque. The museum cost nearly 10 million rupees to build while internal repairs are still ongoing.

After sending the settlement letter to the government, the PLTMH authority is now waiting for the date on which Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should reopen this oldest mosque to visitors.

“We are waiting for the day of the chief minister’s inauguration. If the Covid-19 situation is completely under control, this will probably happen in the next two weeks,” said MHP managing director PM Noushad.

Noushad said they are focusing more on preserving existing parts of the old structure and restoring its former appearance based on old photographs.

“In 1974 we demolished an additional concrete structure that was added to the main building.

Fortunately, some parts of the basic structure have been preserved as such. He also added that the parts have been renovated and preserved.

In addition to MHP conservation efforts, a multi-crore construction project is also being carried out at the mosque under the auspices of the mosque administration. An underground prayer hall is under construction that will accommodate at least 2000-3000 worshipers.

“The structural work and interior plastering are complete. The flooring and beautification work is pending and is expected to be completed soon,” said Noushad.

MHP, which is entrusted with the management of the heritage by the state government, has started talks with the mosque committee and signed an MoU to implement renovation and conservation initiatives.

After the renovation, MHP is now waiting for approval to include the Cheraman Juma Mosque in the “National Mission of Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Upliftment” (PRASAD) of the United Tourism Ministry.

A proposal for a project worth 100 million rupees was presented to the center. He added that the construction of a pool complex and rejuvenation center in the mosque would become a reality if included in the PRASAD program.

The Cheraman Mosque occupies an important place in the Muziris civilization, which enjoyed its fame as the largest trading center in the ancient world in the east. They traded in everything from spices to precious stones.