Miskhal Mosque, Kuttichira
Nakhuda Miskhal Mosque was named after the trader and ship-owner Miskhal, who was originally from Yemen. Miskhal built this masjid in Kuttichira which is present day Kozhikode.
Just a stones throw from the coast this masjid was partially destroyed in 1510 during a Portuguese raid. And yet another reason to visit this mosque is to show the communal harmony that existed between Muslim subjects and Hindu rulers. Zamorin, the ruler of the time donated wood to repair the damage done to the mosque by the Portuguese raiders.
This masjid, which was initially five floors tall, was reduced to four when it was repaired after the Portuguese attack. At first glance, its imposing wooden structure is still capable of taking your breath away. Only the ground floor is made of permanent material and one wonders how this huge structure is still holding up for the last 650 years. Internally, the mosque is not much different from other historical mosques except that it has a bigger prayer hall and simpler design. Each wall has several mihrab style doors that keep the area illuminated and well ventilated. A wooden mimbar was added much later. It is highly decorated with motifs that resemble what will be found in a Hindu temple. It is colored in red and green which does not really go along with the rest of the masjid.
Nakhudu Miskhal Mosque is also home to a darul qaza. It has continuously maintained a seat of Qazis since 1343 CE. Unfortunately, the qazis have split since 1860 and now only two qazis hold their offices here. In their old dusty register they maintain the names and dates of births, deaths, and marriages for the community.
Miskhal Mosque, Kuttichira
Nakhuda Miskhal Mosque was named after the trader and ship-owner Miskhal, who was originally from Yemen. Miskhal built this masjid in Kuttichira which is present day Kozhikode.
Just a stones throw from the coast this masjid was partially destroyed in 1510 during a Portuguese raid. And yet another reason to visit this mosque is to show the communal harmony that existed between Muslim subjects and Hindu rulers. Zamorin, the ruler of the time donated wood to repair the damage done to the mosque by the Portuguese raiders.
This masjid, which was initially five floors tall, was reduced to four when it was repaired after the Portuguese attack. At first glance, its imposing wooden structure is still capable of taking your breath away. Only the ground floor is made of permanent material and one wonders how this huge structure is still holding up for the last 650 years. Internally, the mosque is not much different from other historical mosques except that it has a bigger prayer hall and simpler design. Each wall has several mihrab style doors that keep the area illuminated and well ventilated. A wooden mimbar was added much later. It is highly decorated with motifs that resemble what will be found in a Hindu temple. It is colored in red and green which does not really go along with the rest of the masjid.
Nakhudu Miskhal Mosque is also home to a darul qaza. It has continuously maintained a seat of Qazis since 1343 CE. Unfortunately, the qazis have split since 1860 and now only two qazis hold their offices here. In their old dusty register they maintain the names and dates of births, deaths, and marriages for the community.