Hindu girl initiated to ‘first letters’ in mosque

Jisha’s father Krishnan from Edamuttam had made a request to the mosque authorities that he would like his only daughter to be initiated into the world of letters in the mosque, masjid sources said. This is the second time that a Hindu child is being initiated into the world of letters in the Cheraman Masjid.

‘‘Promoting literacy and imparting knowledge is the first principle of Islam,’’ Masjid Committee Secretary K.S. Abdul Khader said, adding ‘‘acquisition of knowledge would lead to communal harmony.’’ In Kerala, Vijaya dasami is celebrated as Vidyarambham, marking ritualistic initiation of tiny tots into world of art and letters.