Religions in Sri Lanka: Part 3 - Islam

There are two vertical stripes in the left hand corner of the Sri Lankan National Flag; one green and one orange. The green stripe represents the Muslim Faith and the Moor Ethnicity in the country. The Muslim community consists of 9.7% of Sri Lanka’s population and it is divided into different ethnic groups that include the Sri Lankan Moors, the Indian Muslims, the Malays, the Bohras and the Maymans. Although each of these groups have the same beliefs, they have their own unique roots, customs and traditions.

The Sri Lankan National Flag

Sri Lanka first came across the Islamic religion in the 8^th century with the arrival of the Arab traders. Today, the decedents of these Arab Traders are known as the Sri Lankan Moors. Many of them were mistreated by the Portuguese when they had control over the country in the 16^th Century and sought refuge in the central highlands and Eastern Province with the help of the Kandian King Senerath. The Sri Lankan Malays are descendent from the Muslims who were brought from Indonesia and Malaysia by the Dutch and the British when they ruled over Sri Lanka. Muslim migrants from South India and Pakistan in the later years also contributed towards the growth of the religion. 

There are a few notable Mosques in Sri Lanka. One is the Dewatagaha Mosque in Lipton’s Circus, Colombo. Built in the 19th Century, it is one of the oldest Mosques in the country with a fascinating story behind it. It is also one of the only Mosques that allow women and people of all religions to go inside. In the 1820s a Singhalese woman who was the sole earner for her family was on her way to sell oil in Maradana. On the way, she accidentally tripped and her clay pot was broken, spilling all the oil onto the ground. Devastated because her source of income was gone, she cried and fell asleep. She then woke and saw a man in a green garb with a long beard who asked her to fetch a new pot. She bought this pot from one of her regular customers, a Muslim lady named Mamina Lebbe. When she returned with the pot, this man was leaning against a Dewata Tree and then had pressed his toe into the soil and the oil then gushing out of the earth. She collected the oil into her pot and was able to sell it. He had then asked her to convey the story to Mamina. When she did, Mamina Lebbe then returned to the spot of the miracle and prayed. Later, the Muslims in the area built a Mosque and placed an oil lamp where the miracle took place. 

The Dewatagaha Mosque

Another notable Mosque is the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque in Pettah which was built in 1909. Before other landmarks were built, some claimed that the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque was recognized as the landmark of Colombo by sailors approaching the port. The religious town of Katharagama holds a popular Mosque along with the Kovil, the Temple and the Church. It is a secular place where all the popular religions in the country come together.

The Jami Ul-Alfer Mosque 

The main Islamic festival celebrated by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka is Ramazan. Ramazan, also referred to as Ramadan which ends during April is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims are expected to fast [refrain from the consumption of food] until the sun sets and devote their time to prayer and meditation.  

Interestingly, Hambantota, the fast developing city in the Southern part of the country got its name from the Malays. Malay traders used to anchor their ships called ‘Sampans’ in this natural harbour. Because of this, the area was referred to as Sampan-tota [the Sinhalese word ‘tota’ means ‘port’]. This is what eventually became ‘Hambantota’.  This is just one of the many instances where the Islamic religion and the Muslim Community have influenced and enriched the culture and traditions of Sri Lanka.