It is in Cranganore (Kodungallur) of  Thrichur District that Islam first appeared in Indian Peninsula. It is again here that the first mosque in India was erected. History indicates that Islam spread in India during the lifetime of Prophet. Dr. C.K. Kareem, well known historian, has discussed and established this fact on grounds of irreprovable authority in his “ History of Kerala Muslims”. ‘ Bana Perumal’ alias Cheraman Perumal who was a Budhist  was facing a mental conflict between spiritual and material ideals, and he was seriously considering the possibility of abdicating the kingship. It was at this juncture that he happened to hear about the appearance of the Prophet in Arabia and the Islamic revolution-taking place there. Prophet sent letters to the political heads of Africa, Asia and Europe during A.D. 628-629 inviting them to the Islamic faith. Along with them Prophet sent an epistle to the Perumal, ruler of Kodungallur, then known as ‘Musiris’. The emissary group after delivering the letter to the Perumal, went to Ceylon to visit the peak of Adam. Perumal had informed tham that he would joint them on their return journey. He had witnessed the famous incident of  “ cleaving of the moon” so he was desirous of seeing the Prophet in person. Accordingly he joined the muslim party on its return and along with the leader Sahirudeen, he navigated to Madina and accepted Islam in the presence of the Prophet. The Prophet gave him the appellation Thajudeen. The perumal spent seventeen days with the Prophet and on his return journey he stayed with the king of  Yemen for a few months as a royal guest. Then he returned to Kerala in the company of Muslim mssionary group headed by Malik Bin Deenar. But on the way Perumal had entrusted with the ‘Shahar Muqalla’ and passed away. Before his demise, the Perumal had entrusted with the missionary group a letter addressed to his chief at Kodungallur requesting him to render all sorts of help to the group for propagating Islam in the country. It is worthwhile to note that Perumal is the first Indian who embraced Islam and it was with his recommendation and support that Malik Bin Deenar with his companions crossed the Arabian sea and disembraked at Kodungallur. Unlike other foreiners, they did not come here to subjugate the land and lift the wealth to their own country. They came here with a view to propagating the Islamic principles of universal brotherhood and equality of man and leading to the learning and the faith of monotheism the people of the country who were submerged in utter ignorance and superstition and who were practising  untouchbility and unseability.     more >>>