Mosque and temple are same for Muhammadali

THRISSUR: Can a Muslim man become the office-bearer of a temple committee? When people ask this question, Vanchipura native Muhammadali Sahib would say, "Our belief in God is like this sea...the mosque and the temple are one and the same..."

Muhammadali's faith in mosques and temples is like his faith in the sea. He does not miss attending the Friday prayer at Puthanpalli in Kaipamangalam. He also bows down before Ayiroor Muthappan with the same devotion. The 74-year-old is the vice president of the Ayiroor Chapakkadavu Sri Gulikan Muthappan Bhagavathy Temple Committee. He has been active in temple affairs for more than thirty years. Muhammadali is becoming the beacon of secularism when controversies arise on account of conversion and communalism.

"I started going to sea at the age of 12. Everyone who went to sea faced misery. Many people went missing after the boat overturned. Accidents took place. Later, it was said that there is the presence of Devi and she must be worshipped after proper consecration. That's how I started worshipping Gulikan Muthappa and Devi. There were many believers," Muhammadali recollected.

The boats here are named Ayiroor Muthappan, Thevar, Vishnu, Parashuraman, Thamburatti and Rajeshwari. The temple, on the other hand, is open to all religions. Secular minds also celebrated Pratishtha Mahotsav on a grand scale from April 20 to 28.

Muthappan Bhagavathy idol carved by sculptor Narayanan of Mahabalipuram was received under the leadership of Muhammadali. His prayer before the idols was a scene of religious harmony.

His family consists of his wife, son and two daughters. Family members have no objection to his belief.