History has it recorded that in the 1950s, about 52 perfume merchants better known as Athars migrated from Tirunelveli to Coimbatore.

These merchants with their own funds initiated the construction of a mosque in 1860. It took 44 years for this mosque to be constructed.

From 1904, the Athar Jamath Mosque popular as the big mosque, located on the busy Oppanakara Street is open to public. Today, this mosque is the oldest in Coimbatore and it stands as a multi-cultural hub that is frequented by people from all religions.

Hindus and Christians also visit the Athar Jamath Mosque as they believe that this mosque has healing powers.

Children who suffer from chronic illness or prolonged sleeplessness and other forms of mental and physical ailments are often brought to this mosque. The priest chants holy verses from the Quran and an amulet that has healing powers is given by the priest.

“We have brought two generation of children from our family to this mosque. Today, I have brought my two-year old grand-son to receive the holy amulet and be blessed by the priest,” R Murgesh, a resident of Gandhipark, says.

On an average about 1,000 people visit this mosque everyday to offer prayers and on Fridays, nearly 5,000 people including non-Muslims throng the Athar Jamath Mosque. During the Holy month of Ramadan, several people gather to feast on the fast-breaking meal known as iftar at this mosque. Non-Muslims too participate in the celebrations.

“The construction of this mosque was supervised by 52 families and this mosque has been built on a land that measures 52-cents. The height of the minaret is 52 meters,” A. Shanawaz, Secretary, Coimbatore Athar Jamath, says.

The Coimbatore Athar Jamath community currently has about 1,500 members whose fore-fathers are from Tirunelveli.

We are also told that this mosque that is made up of limestone and mortar and polished with egg white is currently undergoing renovation work. The Coimbatore Athar Jamath authorities are positive the renovation will be completed before the holy month of Ramadan.

On the southern-side of this mosque is the tomb of Hazrat Jamesha Waliullah, a Muslim preacher who died in 1850. This now stands as a dargah on Big Bazaar Street and several non-Muslims continue to worship here.