Together as One: Muslim youth clean up temples in Wayanad and Malappuram

In parts of the state, floods literally broke down religious barriers. On Monday with two groups of Muslim youths cleaning up two temples in Wayanad and Malappuram. Many of them were fasting on the day of Arafah. Venniyode Sree Maha Vishnu temple in Wayanad, which was taken over by water from the Venniyode River, was filled with mud and silt after the floods. A team of youths from Mukkam cleaned the temple after they offered themselves for relief works.

“We were asked if we can help in cleaning up the nearby temple. We told them that we are Muslims and are happy to help if temple authorities are okay with it,” said Najumudeen K, a UAE-based engineer who was part of the team.

Also a group of 20 Muslim youths from Mannarkkad Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation charity unit took four hours to clean up a flooded Ayyappa temple in Mannarkkad. The temple, situated near Koppuzha, was closed four days ago after it was filled with slush and mud. “We appreciate their help in time... Their efforts highlight unity that transcends caste and religion,” temple management committee secretary K Gopalakrishnan said.

A team of 18 youths entered Venniyode Sree Maha Vishnu temple in Wayanad, which was inundated by waters from the Venniyode River, and cleaned up even the walls of the sanctum sanctorum on Monday. The temple was filled with mud and silt. “Youths cleaned up all places except the inside of the sanctum sanctorum, which can be carried out only by the main priest who was not present. We immensely value their service,” said temple committee chairman Pradeep Kumar VC.

Secretary of temple management committee K Gopalakrishnan said the group took four hours to clean the chuttambalam and surrounding areas. “We appreciate their help at a time when the sanctum sanctorum was damaged in floods.”

However, SDPI sympathizers opposed the cleaning work to which SKSSF state general secretary Sathar Panthalloor replied that the men did the right thing and any effort to create divide among people should be condemned.