Kozhikode: Muslim organizations are moving heaven and earth to clean up several temples in the state hit by the ravaging floods.
The selfless efforts by these volunteers are being lauded across the state.
At Kolpadam, Thenkara, near Mannarkkad in Palakkad district, volunteers of Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF) cleaned up the Ayyappa temple on Sunday.
The temple committee has welcomed the noble gesture of the 17 volunteers who cleaned the temple. They had also assisted in cleaning various nearby places.
“This is our land, and our volunteers are always ready to take up any mission for Kolpadam. After cleaning the colonies in Palakkad and Pattambi, we got information that the temple needs cleaning as its premises resembled a muddy field. We checked with the temple authorities if they had any problem if we clean it,” said Shabeer K, a volunteer who took part in the initiative.
After the temple and premises were cleaned, the temple committee members appreciated the effort, he said.
According to Shafi Faizy, district treasurer of SKSSF, Kolpadam is known for religious harmony.
“When Eid and temple festival fell on the same day last year, the temple committee changed the date to avoid inconvenience for the people here, who celebrate both.
The temple festival committee is accorded a reception by the Mahal committee here. The temple committee reciprocates the gesture during the Eid procession.
Not an isolated incident
Thenkara is not an isolated incident of religious harmony. Youngsters belonging to different religions came forward to clean the Mahavishnu temple in Venniyod in Kalpetta.
The temple committee was helped by Shihab Thangal Relief Cell and Myladi Masjid Imam Ansar Badri Muvattupuzha.
Apart from cleaning up the temple and premises, they also cleaned nearly 20 houses in the area, according to Najmuddeen, who was part of the mission.
