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Kazimar Street Madurai, an Islamic Heritage Street

There is a street namely Kazimar in the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu India. It is an ancient and historical street named after Kazi Syed Tajuddin. The first mosque built in Madurai, which is known as Kazimar Periya Pallivasal (Kazimar Big Mosque is situated here. It was built by Kazi Syed Tajuddin. Another landmark, which gives its recognition as a heritage street is Madurai Maqbara. It is the street where about 400 families of the Kazi Syed Tajuddin live here in perpetuity for about 700 years. Kazimar Street is very near to Madurai Junction (About 1.5 km), Central Bus Stand (About 1 km) and Minakshi Amma Temple (1.5 km approximately).

Kazimar Periya Pallivasal (Kazimar Big Mosque)

Periya is a word from Tamil meaning big and Pallivasal signifies to the mosque so Kazimar Periya Pallivasal gets translated in English as the Big Mosque of Kazimar. Situated in Kazimar Street Madurai, the oldest mosque here was constructed in 1284 AD/ 683 AH and continues for to be used for more than 700 years. It is managed by the descendants of Kazi Syed Tajuddin, who live here for ages and number about 400 families, who are called Haqdars for managing the affairs of the mosque.

Madurai Maqbara

Madurai Maqbara is a graveyard in Kazimar Street within the premises of Kazimar Big Mosque in which three Sufi saints Mir Ahmad Ibrahim, Mir Amjad Ibrahim and Abdu Salam Ibrahim are buried.

Periya is a Tamil word meaning elder or big and Kabeer in Arabic signifies to the same meaning. Likewise the word Chinna in Tamil translates to small in English and Sagheer in Arabic is equal to the word Chinna in Tamil. Therefore, Mir Ahmad Ibrahim is called Elder Hazrat (Hazrat al-Kabeer) and Mir Amjad Ibrahim is called Younger Hazrat (Hazrat Al-Saghir).

Kazis of Madurai

Kazi Syed Tajuddin was appointed as Kazi (Islamic Jury) of Madurai by the Government of Madurai Sultans and till today his descendants who live at Kazimar Street, Madurai, are appointed as Kazis to the Government of Tamil Nadu. Mir Ahmad Ibrahim well known as Periya was appointed as Chief Qazi (Qaziyul Quzzat) of Madurai by the government of Nawab of Arcot. As such the haqdars of this mosque have been appointed as Kazis of Madurai to the government continuously since 13th century from the period of Qazi Syed Tajuddin till today. The present government Qazi of Madurai, Moulana Moulavi A. Syed Khaja Mueenudeen is haqdar of this mosque and a descendant of Qazi Syed Tajuddin. (wiki)

Madrasa

Kazi Syed Tajuddin Arabic Madrasa is located inside the mosque campus in which around 120 students learn basic Arabic. This madrasa managed by Kazimar Big Mosque is run by Moulavi Hafil Syed Alimullah Baqavi.

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