When I was waiting for a public transport bus  in Kasaragod to visit an ancient Mosque, I met an aged man and asked him

‘What you do professionally?’

Man who was attired in white shirt and dhoti said

‘I am professional cook for marriage functions.’

I asked him ‘Can you tell me about the inception of your career?’

He was very vocal about his backstory ‘I ran away from my Kannur home when I was just 11, reached Hyderabad.Started working under a renowned cook there, and learned the methods.’

Aged man guided me to get the right bus to Malik Deenar Juma Masjid.

About Malik Deenar Mosque | — The historic Malik Deenar Juma Masjid built in the typical Kerala style is believed to have been founded by Malik Ibn Deenar. The mosque, Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district, is located at Thalankara, Kasaragod, Kerala.

Malik bin Deenar or Malik Ibn Dinar was a Tabi‘in who is famous for being the first to bring Islam to India. In 624 AD, Malik Ibn Deenar and 12 of his trade associates landed in Kerala. Their mission was not just trade but to propagate Islam in other parts of the world. The delegation consisted of Sharaf Ibn Malik, his brother Malik Ibn Deenar and his nephew Malik Ibn Habeeb Ibn Malik.  The mission reached at Kanhirakode (now Kasaragod).  Their distinct way of trade and the propagation of Islam soon attracted the attention of the then ruler Cheraman Perumal. On enquiry, Malik Bin Deenar and his comrades related the reason for their honest trade practices to be their recent conversion to Islam.

Soon the king was fascinated by the doctrines of this new religion which prompted him to embrace Islam.

They erected the mosque on 13th Rajab, 22 Hijra (A.D.642) and his son Malik Ibn Muhammad was nominated as the Qazi of the mosque. Years later, the mosque was reconstructed in A.D.1809 (1223, Hijra) by the generous helps from the native people.  It contains the grave of Malik Ibn Mohammed; one of the descendants of Malik Ibn Dinar and the places is sacred to Muslims. An important local celebration takes place every year in commemoration of the arrival of Malik Ibn Dinar.