Old mosque offers ‘green’ iftar

Thiruvananthapuram: When this mosque was constructed for the soldiers of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore over two centuries ago, it was a tiny thatched roof structure sans domes and minarets.

Sharing border with a Hindu shrine, it offered Muslim members of the royal army a place to offer their prayers and “Idgah” near their cantonment in the capital city.

When it had metamorphosed into the present magnificent structure over decades, the “Juma Masjid” at Palayam now woos even non-Muslims with its unique iftar feast and secular gatherings during the month of Ramzan. Cutting across religious barriers, local people including officials of the nearby state Secretariat, drivers, traders, travellers and passers by, throng the centuries-old mosque during evenings of the holy month.

Complete adherence to green protocol and distribution of “oushadha kanji, a unique medicinal porridge prepared and served in an eco-friendly manner, make the iftar of this “pattalappalli” unique.

The Palayam Juma Masjid was once known as “pattalappalli” (military mosque) in local parlance as it was made for the Travancore Army.

According to the mosque’s management, over 900-1,200 people, including non-Muslims, relish this delicious and nutritious ‘kanji’ every day of the holy month. Located in the heart of the city, the masjid also offers special facility for women for “namaz” and breaking the fast in its premises.   Quoting records, Moulavi V.P. Suhaib, Palayam imam, said the masjid was constructed in 1813 and the practice of social iftar could be dated back at least to a century. “The present masjid was just a thatched-roof building when it was constructed in 1813 AD. It was reconstructed and developed into the present structure in 1960s,” he said.

For the past several decades, the masjid has been a landmark pilgrim centre of Muslims and a perfect example of secularism as it has a Hindu shrine on one side and a Christian church on the other side of the road.