A prominent Muslim cleric in Kerala has drawn widespread appreciation after calling on members of the Muslim community to extend hospitality to Hindu devotees arriving in Thiruvananthapuram for the upcoming Attukal Pongala festival. Palayam Imam VP Suhaib Maulavi made the appeal during a Friday sermon held in the holy month of Ramadan, encouraging people to welcome visitors with kindness and generosity. A video of his message circulated widely on social media, where many users praised it as a strong example of communal harmony and coexistence in the state.
Addressing worshippers at the Palayam Masjid, the Imam noted that although the festival belongs to another faith and Muslims do not participate in its rituals, large numbers of women and children visit the city as guests during the event. He urged the community to act as gracious hosts by offering water, food and rest spaces, and suggested that mosques and homes be opened to devotees who may need shelter or assistance during the celebrations.
He emphasised that the coincidence of Ramadan and Pongala this year presents an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and compassion. According to him, acts of kindness and shared humanity can help foster mutual respect and counter growing instances of religious prejudice. His remarks resonated across communities, with many highlighting them as reflective of Kerala’s long-standing culture of religious coexistence.
The Attukal Pongala festival, held annually at the Attukal Devi Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, attracts millions of women who gather to prepare a traditional offering of sweet rice in earthen pots. Often referred to as the “Women’s Sabarimala,” the event is considered one of the largest religious gatherings of women in the world and draws devotees from across the country.
