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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