Little is it known that there was a time when the Sultans of Turkey ruled the hearts of the Musalmans of the far-famed isle of Sarandib. Sri Lanka is home to a large number of Muslims many of whom comprise the descendants of Arab traders who had settled down here several centuries ago. It would appear [...] [...more]
Last week the Sakirin Mosque opened in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the first mosque in the country to have an interior designed by a woman, Zeynep Fadillioglu. An interior designer known for jet setting ways, she nonetheless won a commission to redesign the religious structure in Istanbul. She even recruited women to help in the [...] [...more]
Suwarn Vajracharya We might stand up for our community, but it cannot be said that we have stood against the interest of the country as a whole. I have always said, and I repeat it today, that I consider the interest of the country as a whole, to be paramount. (Dr. T. B. Jayah1) , 1937) 1. [...] [...more]
The relations that have existed between the Sinhalese and Muslims of Sri Lanka since time immemorial may be cited as a unique example of ethnic harmony in pluralistic, multi-ethnic societies. This inimitable relationship between the country’s majority community comprising of over 70 percent of the population and a minority of less than 10 percent is [...] [...more]
In Muslim nations and regions around the globe, this is the first week of the holy month of Ramadan, a time for followers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity during the day, breaking their fast each sunset, with traditional meals and sweets. During this time, Muslims are also encouraged to read the [...] [...more]
Extracted from Sarandib, An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein. The material contained here is copyright but may be cited with due credit to the author. The Sōnahar or Sri Lankan Moors have a long history in Sri Lanka. The descendants of Arabs who espoused local women they are [...] [...more]
Extracted from Sarandib, An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein. The material contained here is copyright but may be cited with due credit to the author. The Moors like all good Muslims are governed by Islamic dietary laws which clearly lay down what is permissible (halāl) and what is [...] [...more]
Extracted from Sarandib, An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein. The material contained here is copyright but may be cited with due credit to the author. Clothing is regarded as a blessing from God and the Qur’ān in Sūrah Al-A ‘rāf (V.26) makes this abundantly clear when it addresses [...] [...more]
Extracted from Sarandib, An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein. The material contained here is copyright but may be cited with due credit to the author. Death is common to man in this short lifespan of his. It is inevitable and one must therefore prepare for it. “Every soul” [...] [...more]
Extracted from Sarandib, An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein. The material contained here is copyright but may be cited with due credit to the author. The Muslims of Sri Lanka, Moors as well as others, are governed by their own personal laws with regard to civil matters like [...] [...more]
