Kozhikode: The famed Mishkal Masjid at Kuttichira here dates back to the 14th century and it has found a mention in Ibn Battuta’s writings.
The four-storeyed masjid is an architectural marvel of wooden carvings, strikingly similar to the architecture of the temples of that time. It was believed that a Persian merchant, Nakhooda Mishkal, built the mosque and thus the name, Mishkal Masjid.
The Kozhikode’s religious camaraderie has found an echo in the masjid, as it was protected by Zamorin’s army and local Muslims from the attack of Portuguese in the 15th century.
The general secretary of Khasi Foundation at Kuttichira, M.V. Ramsy Ismayil, said that the wooden podium in the masjid was an artefact having immense historical value.
“It is said that the Zamorin’s army and Muslims attacked the Chaliyum Kotta and the podium was built using the wood seized from the Kotta,” he said.
The mosque and the Tali temple were renovated under the heritage tourism project in 2013 at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore funded by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.
Currently, laying of interlocking tiles and construction of drainage are being undertaken in the mosque through the fund sponsored by a private party.
Kozhikode Khasi, K.V. Ibichammath Haji, is looking after the religious affairs of the masjid and the committee headed by K.V. Kunjahammad Koya is supervising the administrative affairs.
