Qatar based Hindu businessman to build mosque in Kozhikode

Manama, Jan 19 (ANI): To promote communal harmony in the state, a Qatar-based Hindu businessman is building a mosque in Kerala.

The mosque in Kozhikode will be the first to be built in the state by a Hindu in over 1,200 years.

"Construction is going on. The mosque will be ready in two to three months. Over 400 people can offer prayers in that mosque at a time," C K Menon told Qatari daily Gulf Times.

He said that the Cheraman Mosque constructed in the late eighth century by Chera ruler Rama Varma Kulashekhara is the first and only mosque built by any Hindu in Kerala.

Menon, who is chairman and managing director of the Doha-headquartered Behzad Group of Companies, said he had taken approval from Muslim scholars and religious leaders for building the mosque.

"I have already taken letters from Muslim religious leaders and scholars. They are fine with it. God is one and people should respect and work for the promotion of other religions also," said Menon.

Menon said he plans to build a church in Kerala. "Once the mosque is ready, I will start work on the church. We have already identified the land but final decision is not taken yet," he said.

Menon, whose company operates in 13 countries, mainly in the Middle East, emphasised the need to promote the culture of philanthropy in India, Gulf News reports. (ANI)