In a powerful display of inter-state solidarity, a Muslim religious organisation from Tamil Nadu has provided new homes for families devastated by a major landslide in Kerala's Wayanad district. The Tamil Nadu Jamaathul Ulama Sabha officially handed over the keys to 14 newly constructed houses to survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide during a ceremony held on Tuesday.
A Ceremony of Hope at Nellimalam
The key-handing ceremony was conducted at the project site in Nellimalam, marking the culmination of a year-long relief effort. Jamaathul Ulama Sabha president Khaja Mueenudheen Bakhavi personally presented the keys to the beneficiaries. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique was also present at the event, distributing the crucial ownership documents to the families, thereby legally securing their future.
Details of the Housing Project
Each of the 14 houses stands on a plot of 6.5 cents and features a spacious 850 square feet built-up area. The total cost per unit, inclusive of land, amounted to Rs 25 lakh. The homes are designed to be practical and expandable for growing families.
The layout of each house includes:
- Two bedrooms
- A hall
- A kitchen
- Two bathrooms
- A sit-out area
A significant feature of the design is the provision for constructing an additional floor in the future, offering families room to grow. The construction work was executed by J S Constructions, beginning on November 6, 2024, and was completed swiftly.
Supporting the Overlooked Victims
This initiative specifically targeted families who suffered directly from the landslide tragedy but were not included in the government's official list of beneficiaries. The Sabha selected 14 families from a list of 23 whom they had been supporting by paying their rent for the past year since the disaster occurred.
The project was supervised by Jamaathul Ulama Sabha general secretary Anvar Badusha Ulavi and treasurer Mujeeb Rahman Maslahi. All relief work in Wayanad has been coordinated under the Samastha Wayanad Coordination Committee.
At the function, several key figures were honoured for their contributions, including Samastha Coordination Committee chairperson S Muhammad Darimi, convener C P Harris Bakhavi, Shukkoor Bathery, and contractor Jamsheer Bathery. Sunni Yuvajana Sangham state vice-president Ibrahim Faizi Peral delivered the keynote address, highlighting the spirit of communal harmony and support.
This act of building homes transcends mere disaster relief; it represents a profound humanitarian bridge between two states, offering a fresh start to families who had lost everything.
