Thiruvananthapuram, 28 Feb (H.S.):With the renowned Attukal Pongala festival set to take place on March 3, a prominent Muslim cleric in Kerala has called for mosques and Muslim households to open their doors to Hindu devotees visiting the capital city. The appeal comes as the annual celebration coincides this year with the holy month of Ramadan.

Palayam Imam V P Suhaib Maulavi, in a speech that has since gone viral on social media, urged members of the Muslim community to extend hospitality to the lakhs of women who gather in Thiruvananthapuram to offer Pongala to Attukal Bhagavathy. While clarifying that Muslims do not participate in the rituals of other faiths, he emphasized the importance of compassion and coexistence.

“Attukal Pongala is just days away. It belongs to another faith, so we do not take part in its religious observances. But we can certainly act as hosts to the many guests arriving in our city,” Maulavi said.

Noting that the festival falls during Ramadan this year, he highlighted the shared values of generosity and brotherhood. “Ramadan teaches us to uphold joy, fraternity and love. We must share that spirit with our sisters and their children who come here for Pongala,” he added.

The Imam encouraged arrangements for drinking water, food items and resting facilities for devotees. “Our mosques and homes should be opened to them. This is an opportunity to openly demonstrate our love and brotherhood,” he said.

His remarks have drawn widespread appreciation online, with many praising the gesture as a reflection of Kerala’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony, particularly at a time when public discourse often focuses on religious divisions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman