Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque in Kodungallur in the Indian state of Kerala. Believed to be built in 629 AD by Malik Ibn Dinar, it is considered as the oldest mosque in India, and the second oldest mosque in the world to offer Jumu'ah prayers.Constructed during the lifetime of Muhammed, the bodies of some of his original followers are said to be buried here.Unlike other mosques in Kerala that face westwards this mosque faces eastwards.

Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia and the Indian subcontinent were active. Even before Islam had been established in Arabia, Arab traders used to visit the Malabar region, which was a link between the ports of South and South East Asia. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went.Numerous Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala were moved by the principles of Islam and converted. King Cheraman Perumal is said to be the first convert to Islam in India.

Legend has it that a group of Muhammad’s companions visited Kodungallur. Cheraman Perumal, then the Chera ruler, had witnessed a miraculous happening the sudden splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, Perumal travelled to Mecca, where he embraced Islam, and accepted the name Thajudeen. On his way back to India he died at Salala in the Sultanate of Oman. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala, and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.

The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People of all religions bring oil for the lamp as offering. This is one of the few mosques in Kerala which allow entry for people of other religions. In recent years, the mosque has observed vidyarambha, a Hindu initiation ritual marking the beginning of a child's learning.

Kondotty is a growing town in Malappuram district, Kerala, South India. Kondotty is located near the Calicut Airport.Kondotty is famous for the Nercha (Malayalam for 'offering') in the Pazhayangadi Mosque. Kondotty is the birthplace of the great Mappila poet, Moyinkutty Vaidyar. He popularised Mappilapattu (Mappila songs) by his poems on non-religious and romantic themes. A memorial for this poet has also been built in Kondotty.

The history of Kondotty is connected with that of the 18th century Kondotty Thangals, the Sufi exponents. Tipu Sultan of Mysore brought the first Thangal Muhammad Shah, to bring the Mappilas on his side. The Thangal first resided at Areekode and later settled in Kondotty. When the British arrived, putting an end to the reign of Tipu Sultan, the Thangal switched sides and joined the British. Hence, during the 1921 upsurge, the Mappila mob attacked the house of the seventh Thangal, Nasiruddin Shah.

Kondotty Nercha is held every year at Pazhayangadi Mosque, which contains the tomb of the first Thangal, Muhammad Shah. Thousands of devotees attend the Nercha, which consists of certain religious processions. Orthodox Muslims in Kerala are against the Nercha at the tombs of dead persons . Fairs are also held during the Nercha