Muslim leaders question Lal’s puja for Mammootty

Kochi: A controversy has erupted over Mohanlal's religious offering for fellow actor Mammootty at the Sabarimala temple, with some Muslim community leaders arguing that such an act would contradict Islamic principles if done with Mammootty's consent.
The incident took place on March 18 when Mohanlal performed an ‘usha puja' at the hill shrine on behalf of Mammootty. The offering receipt, which included Mammootty's official name and birth star (Vishakham), went viral.
While many saw the gesture as a reflection of the friendship between the two actors, some groups raised objections. O. Abdulla, a former editor of Madhyamam, a daily associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, criticized the act on social media.
He suggested that if Mammootty had knowingly approved the offering, he should apologize to the Muslim community, but stated that there was no issue if Mohanlal had acted independently. Following backlash from within the Muslim community, Abdulla later deleted his post. Another statement came from Nasar Faizy Koodathayi of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a Sunni scholars' organization. Echoing Abdulla's stance, he said the offering would only be inappropriate if Mammootty had given his consent.
Mohanlal described the puja as a personal prayer for his friend. He also questioned whether temple authorities had leaked the offering receipt, but the devaswom board later clarified that the circulating receipt was a counterfoil issued to all devotees.