Palayam Juma Masjid, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram

The history of the Palayam Mosque at Trivandrum dates back to 1813 AD, when the British Indian Second Regiment was stationed here. It was then constructed as a small mosque (Pattalappalli), with an open place for 'ld' prayers. Later in 1824 A.D. when the sixth regiment was posted here its officers bought up the land appointed a Quazl and entrusted the Muazin the documents of the mosque. In 1848 AD, when the sixteenth regiment came here its Jamadaars and Havildars did considerable improvements to the mosque including the construction of a gate and arrangements for the maintenance and upkeep of the mosque building. When, subsequently other regiments were stationed here, its officers brought about further changes and improvements. Thus the mosque is nearly 200 years old. Later, in 1960's many philanthropic businessmen and government officials of Trivandrum took up renovation of the mosque and constructed the present day Palayam Juma Masjid under the leadership of the then Qazi and Imam Moulavi Sheikh Abul Hassan Ali Noori and the Juma Masjid was inaugurated by the then President of India Dr.Zakir Hussain in 1967. Sheikh Abul Hassan Ali Noori (1921-2011), a freedom fighter, multilingual scholar and the first Imam of Palayam Juma Masjid served here for close to two decades (1959-1979), helped elevate to its present-day status from a ‘pattalappalli’, during his tenure as Imam. Sheikh Abul Hassan Ali was born in 1921 in Thenkassi. He had his schooling in Rajapalayam, and did his graduation in Tanjavur. He left for Burma for his post graduation. After that, he became a teacher in Rangoon. He was proficient in nine languages including Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Malay and Burmese. In 1942, he became active in the Quit India Movement in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. He became an Imam in Thenkasi in 1952. From 1959 onwards, close to two decades, he was the imam at the Palayam Juma Masjid. A noted orator, social reformer and teacher, he also entertained a progressive outlook, championing women’s education, criticising the dowry system and promoting interest free banking. Launched 'darul amanath'- an interest free micro finance system in 1970, under his guidance. The author of several books, he also has several cassettes on Quran recitals.