Kerala Imam’s call to open mosques for Attukal Pongala devotees goes viral

Palayam Imam VP Suhaib Maulavi urged Muslims to open mosques and homes for Hindu devotees during the Attukal Pongala festival, promoting interfaith harmony and fraternity amid ongoing debates over the “Kerala Story 2” movie

Thiruvananthapuram: The appeal of Palayam Imam VP Suhaib Maulavi to open mosques and Muslim houses to Hindu devotees on the upcoming Attukal Pongala festival day here has gone viral on social media platforms, with many netizens describing it as the example of the real Kerala story.

Attukal Pongala, which falls on March 3 this year, is considered one of the largest women gatherings in the world, in which lakhs of women, cutting across ages, gather in the capital city to take part in the festivities.

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Maulavi, during his Friday sermon, urged the members of the Muslim community to extend hospitality to Hindu devotees arriving in the city for the Pongala festival.

In his address, he said that although Attukal Pongala is associated with a different faith and Muslims do not take part in its rituals and ceremonies, the occasion presents an opportunity to serve as gracious hosts to the thousands of women and children who visit Thiruvananthapuram as guests.

“Like last year, Pongala is being observed during the holy month of Ramadan this time as well. We must share the spirit of joy, fraternity and love that defines Ramadan with our sisters and their children who come here for Pongala,” he said.

Maulavi called upon the community to arrange drinking water and Ramadan food items for the devotees and to ensure facilities for their rest.

“Arrangements should be made for their rest. Our mosques and homes should be opened to them. This is an occasion to openly demonstrate our love and brotherhood,” he said.

Maulavi further stressed that the growing Islamophobia and hatred in the country and the world can be countered effectively only through love and fraternity.

He described the festival as an ideal opportunity to reinforce the message of harmony.

The Muslim cleric’s speech soon went viral on social media platforms.

Cutting across religion, people shared his video clippings on various platforms and hailed his gesture as an example of the real Kerala story, harmony and brotherhood among different religions and communities in Kerala.

His appeal assumed significance in view of the ongoing row over the “Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond” movie.