Coffee — The Wine of Islam

Most modern coffee-drinkers are probably unaware of coffee’s heritage in the Sufi orders of Southern Arabia. Members of the Shadhiliyya order are said to have spread coffee-drinking throughout the Islamic...

History Of Urdu Language

The word ‘ Urdu ‘ is derived from Turkish word ‘ Ordu ‘ meaning ‘ Army Camp ‘ or ‘Lashkar ‘ . Exact origin of ‘ Urdu ‘ is some what difficult to trace;...

When the Sultans charmed Sarandib By Asiff Hussein

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...

The First Mosque Designed by A Woman [Istanbul, Turkey]

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...

Malay Minority of Sri Lanka: Defending Their Identity

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...

The Unbreakable Bond,Why Sinhalese-Muslim relations have stood the test of time

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...

Beautiful Ramazan Pictures from Around the World

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...

The origins and affinities of the Sri Lankan Moors

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...

Moor Culinary habits

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...

Dress and Ornamentation among the Moors

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...