500-year-old mosque stands for communal amity

Kozhikode: The renovated  ‘Parapally mosque,’   one of the most prominent mosques of Sunnis with a history of over 500 years, has become a pilgrim  centre for the believers of all communities from around the country and abroad.  Known for  its scenic beauty, Parapally is situated on  the rock hills of Kollam beach, near Koyilandy,  in the district.

The  Sufi Islamic shrine has been built over the grave of a revered religious figure giving it such  prominence.  Worshipers throng the shrine to get blessed with the holy water Zum-Zum  flowing through  two rocks. The mosque is also famous  for  the gigantic footprint on a rock  near it, believed to be the  footprint of the first human being on earth.

“A few decades ago,  the mosque was  familiar among the natives of Koyilandy, but with its renovation, people came to know more about the place through various sources and the believers started flocking  to the centre,”  said Mr A. Mustafa, committee member of Parapally mosque. Adjacent to it,  the old Kollam Juma Masjid  also attracts Sunnis.

“What makes the mosque different  is its tradition of communal harmony, which prompts people of all religions and communities to visit here often.   People offer prayers for all  their problems and they get relief.  This is an  icon of communal harmony, making it the pride of Koyilandy,” he  said.