Muslims
of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
|
BEGINNINGS Interaction with
the Portuguese GROWTH
& PROSPERITY Colombo Grand
Mosque 1855 List of contributors for purchase of land History of the Colombo
Grand Mosque History of The Maradana Mosque Maradana
Mosque Board of Trustees 1924 Members of Legislative
Councils MICH Moors' Islamic Cultural Home Muslim Business
Establishments - 1820 Significant
Personalities - 1876 Sri Lanka Islamic (UK) Association Travels of Haji
Ismail Effendi Nindavur,
land of the Matri clans Ayesha Siddeeqa Educational Institute THE MALAY COMMUNITY Colombo Malay Cricket Club 2002/2003 Chronology of the
history of the Malays Malay Personalities of
Sri Lanka O'Deane - First
migrant to Australia THE MEMON COMMUNITY The Memon
Association of Sri Lanka ETHNOLOGY
& ETHNIC CRISIS A criticism of Mr Ramanathan's Ethnology of
the Moors' of Ceylon Concise history of Kayalpatnam |
The Muslims of Sri Lanka have been an integral part of Sri Lankan
society since the advent of Islam and the movement of Arab, Indian, Persian
and other Muslim traders to the Island. An influx of Muslims to the Island
from Java, in the Indonesian region, has also contributed to the Muslim
community in the country. History records that the Arabs were trading in many parts of the
coastal belt of Ceylon long before Islam and had always maintained a very
cordial and friendly relationship with the local people. Trading and business
has always been the forte of the Muslims, mainly on account of their
ancestors who came to the Island in search of business and barter. It is
interesting to note that the Arab traders never ventured into war with the
local rulers or colonization of the land like the Portuguese, Dutch, and
British did. They never had any desire of the exploitation and
commercialization of the local people and their land and only concentrated on
trading and business in an open, honest, just, and fair manner. The Muslims of Sri Lanka, today, are the progeny of the union of
many of these Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Malays, with local women, whom they
married during their sojourns and trading in the country. The subsequent Muslim Communities, that
lived their lives in Sri Lanka have, in no small means, contributed
extensively with their talents, wealth, and ability to the development and
progress of the country in a peaceful and comfortable manner, integrating
with the society and blending with the local environment comfortably. Concentrating mainly on trade and business the Muslims were
mainly resident on the coastal belt of the Island where their ancestors
landed in search of commerce. Having developed a lucrative enterprise in all
varieties of business they have engaged themselves in the business community
since ancient times. The gem and jewelry business was monopolized by the
Muslims for many centuries. The influx of Indian Muslims int
Ceylon also helped in enhancing this business acumen, especially in the
spice, textile, and garment industries. This website intends to provide an insight into the personalities, contributions, and significant achievements of the Sri Lanka Muslim Community in the progress and development of the country since, almost, 600 AD.
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