Muslim Culture

Arabs in Singapore were once one of the wealthiest communities but faced huge losses after WWII. Today, the community is trying to rebuild their legacy Arabs in Singapore are working hard to carve out a new legacy and honour those who came before them (MEE/Illustration)Walking down the streets of Singapore, the global financial hub known for its rich cultural blend …

The Memons of Sri Lanka like the Bohras are a highly cultured community of Indian origin. They are Sunni Muslims following the Hanafi school of Muslim Law who originated from Western India, especially from the Kathiawad Peninsula before making our beloved country their home. Their settlement here took place during the British colonial period when they arrived here as textile …

The names of Moor females like those of Moor males are largely of Arab origin. Popular names for girls include Fātima (the name of the Prophet’s beloved daughter), Āyisha, Hafsa, Khadija and Zaynab (the names of the Prophet’s wives or Ummul Mūminīn ‘Mothers of the Believers’ as they are usually known by the faithful) Asma (The first Caliph Abu Bakr’s …

Edited by S.H.M. Jameel and Asiff Hussein   Reviewed by Prof. M. A. Nuhman   The Muslim Heritage of Eastern Sri Lanka edited by S.H.M. Jameel and Asiff Hussein is a pioneering project published by the Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum (MWRAF). Ideologically MWRAF is close to me. It is not among the conservative women’s organizations that involve themselves …

Muslim weddings are joyous occasions as they celebrate the coming together of man and wife which is the very foundation of the family and of human civilization. Muslim marriages are based on the mutual consent of bride and groom in the presence of witnesses. Although the bride is usually given away by her guardian, usually her father or brother, it …

The Malays of Sri Lanka who were brought over during the period of Dutch rule in the country, practice a number of traditional customs derived from both Islamic practice and long-cherished Malay cultural traditions that evolved in Indonesia and Malaysia. Here are the main ones marking the main landmarks of life.   BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD   The birth customs of …