Question: You mentioned hearing from your paternal grandfathers that your lineage connects back to Malik Ibn Dinar, an early companion of Prophet Muhammad. What is the historical background of this?
Answer: Yes, this is something I heard directly from my paternal grandfather. Malik Ibn Dinar and his companions arrived at a place called Thengapattanam (now in Kanyakumari district) and established a mosque there. According to the Islamic calendar, this historic 'Valiya Palli' (Old Juma Masjid), which is nearly 1400 years old, still stands there today. The companions who arrived back then entered into local marital alliances, and my elders taught me that our lineage traces its roots back to that very heritage.
Question: What did your maternal grandfather tell you regarding your family's connection to Egypt, the great scholar Imam Gazzali, and certain distinct physical traits?
Answer: My maternal grandfather, Assanarupilla Peer Mohamed, told me that descendants of Imam Gazzali (1058–1111 CE)—the incomparable scholar and philosopher known as 'Hujjatul Islam'—had migrated from Egypt to the coastal regions of India. Certain distinct physical traits commonly found in Middle Eastern and Egyptian lineages, such as large eyes, prominent ears and nose, and uniquely sized feet, were visibly passed down through generations in our family. This lineage later came to be known in Thiruvananthapuram as the prominent 'Palayam Gazzali Imam Family'.
Question: What are your memories regarding the migration from Kottar in Tamil Nadu and the reconstruction of the Palayam Mosque?
Answer: My maternal grandfather’s family migrated from Kottar, a famous trading center in Tamil Nadu, and settled in Palayam about 300 years ago. In my own childhood memories, the grand Palayam Mosque of today was just a small, simple structure. It was built around 1813 for the Muslim soldiers of the Travancore Native Infantry (Nayar Brigade), which is how the area got the name 'Palayam' (Military Camp). The Maharajas of Travancore showed great vision and religious harmony by granting permission to build a mosque, a temple, and a church in the same military zone for the soldiers.
Later, this mosque was beautifully reconstructed and inaugurated in 1967 by the then President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain. My mother’s only elder brother, Zainulabdeen Gazzali, was a key leader in the mosque management committee during that historic period.
Question: Could you share details about the prestigious positions your ancestors held under Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal, and the royal 'Sharot' chariot?
Answer: During the reign of Maharaja Sree Moolam Thirunal (1885–1924), my paternal grandfathers served as the chief bodyguards and held the esteemed rank of ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to His Highness. As a mark of royal favor and trust, they were granted the exclusive privilege to ride in a 'Sharot' (Chariot) drawn by a pair of horses. In my childhood, my mother personally showed me the stable near our ancestral home where this royal chariot used to be kept.
Question: What are your memories about your family offering this stable to the great social reformer Dr. Palpu?
Answer: Yes, the upper floor of that stable owned by our family was later generously given by my ancestors to Dr. Palpu, the great social reformer and close associate of Sree Narayana Guru, to support his social welfare activities. Even though I heard these accounts some 60 to 65 years ago during my childhood from my mother and grandfathers, every single word remains vividly clear in my mind today, thanks to a lifelong strong memory. Palayam Nizar Ahamed Copyright ©allrights reserved Author Palayam Nizar Ahamed (M.Nizar Ahamed) Writer| Journalist |Blogger| Poet| Editor-in-Chief | Flash News-Breaking News Bulletindaily |for investigative reports & editorial writings. 
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