By Syed Ali Mujtaba Islam came to Tamil Nadu in its earliest days when the Arabs became Muslims. The Keelakarai Jumma Masjid, built in the 7th century, with prominent Tamil architectural characteristics, is one of the oldest mosques in Tamil Nadu.  So is the mosque near the Kottai (Fort) Railway station in Tiruchi which is dated 743 AD. The Arabic inscription …

by Mufti Muhammad Ismail *Please note: the word ’Arafah refers to the Day of ’Arafah, while the word ’Arafat refers to the Plains of ’Arafat outside Makkah.  What is the Day of ′Arafah? The Day of ’Arafah is the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah – this year, it is on 8th July 2022. The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the …

Marhoom Al Haj M.L.M.Farook former Registrar of Muslim Marriages and Ex Librarian Zahira College, Colombo who peacefully passed away at the age of 71 years after a fruitful service to the Muslim Community in particular and the Country in general. In 1949 he was absorbed into the staff of Zahira College Colombo by the then Principal late Dr. A.M.A. Azeez …

Known as ‘Bab al-Amoud’ in Arabic, the gate was first built during Roman rule nearly 2,000 years ago.   Resembling a crown, the towering and turreted walls of the Damascus Gate are a significant landmark in the city of Jerusalem. Called Bab al-Amoud (“Gate of the Column”) by Palestinians and Sha’ar Sh’khem (“Nablus Gate”) in Hebrew, the structure has symbolic, cultural, and political importance for …

I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Marhoom whose sixth death anniversary fell a few days ago. I have known M.H. Mohamed for decades, both as a politician and a person.  His political career, spanning seven decades, is worthy of being included in a time capsule and earmarked as a precedent …