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My name is Syed Muhammed. I have been calling adhan here for the last 77 years. Before me it was my father Muhammed. His father Kunhambarkar and his brother Zainudheen also had called adhan here. I am in the fourth generation of calling adhan here. My father died when I was eight years old. Then I was taken by the authorities to the madrasa in Vellangallore. Till attaining 11 years, I was taught by Peringottur Usthad there. Then, the same people who took me to the madrasa came to take me back saying there was none to call adhan and light the lamps (in the masjid). So I have been calling adhan and lighting lamps here since I was 11. Now I am 87.
The Musris town of Kodungallore is a famous port city in India. Judaism, Christianity and Islam came to India first through the Musris port. It was through the port town of Musris that Muslims, Christains and Jews came into contact with Kerala for trade purposes centuries ago. Judaism came first to India, then came Christianity and after that Islam. Malik ibnu Dinar and his group came with the message of Islam. At that time, this area was ruled by King Cheraman. He either came to know about Islam through the Arabs or witnessed the split of the moon which was a mu’jizath of the Prophet. He searched for and learned about Islam. He got into contact with the Arabs who came here for spreading dheen as well as for trade purposes and went to Madina during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) himself. He embraced Islam from there and spent many days with the Prophet . On his way back, he died at a place called Salala and was buried there . Even now, his tomb in Salala is known by the name Thajudheen , according to historians. At that time itself, during the life time of the Prophet in Hijra 5, the masjid – Cheraman Juma Masjiod- that could be claimed to be the first in the country was founded. The small masjid built then was brought down and a new one (which stands today) built in its place, which, historians and archaeologists say, is about 1000 years old. The Kerala government and the tourism department are cooperating and trying hard for its development as well as to retain its heritage and ancientness spending lakhs of rupees by including it among archaeological structures. The mahall consists of about 1500 or more houses and stays connected to heart of the vast Kodaungallore town. People of all religions and castes come to this masjid and say their prayers, and we provide them all possible help . This masjid can be considered as a centre of religious harmony also.