Culture & Heritage

Many forget that the first Muslims to celebrate Ramadan in America were enslaved Africans. This week marks the beginning of Ramadan. Nearly one-fourth of the world will observe the annual fast and eight million Muslims in the United States will abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during the holy month. Islam in America is rapidly expanding. It …

Akbar as depicted by the Indian artist Goverdhan in this painting made in 1630 (Wikimedia) The Indian ruler was known for his military conquests but also his respect for his non-Muslim subjects, especially India’s majority Hindu population In a famous anecdote, the Mughal Emperor Akbar holds court with representatives of the major religions, who each take turns to make the …

Muslims from around the world have welcomed the holiest month of the Islamic calendar after sighting the new moon. For the devout, the month of Ramadan means abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours and spending more time in prayer and meditating on God. The month is holy simply because it is ordained as such in the Quran, but Muslims also believe that the Prophet …

Indians took the tea the British were marketing to them, added spices, milk and sugar, and transformed it forever. Chai can be enjoyed alone, but it excels in company [Courtesy of Prerna Kumar] I remember jumping up to sit on the kitchen counter one afternoon. My five-year-old self wants to watch my mother making chai. She pushes me away from …

The Gira Sandesha composed in the 15th century is a typical Sinhala Sandesha or Messenger Poem where a parrot serves as the Messenger. This poem refers to a people known as Baburan: matvana abin kaṅsā kā ralu paralu attana kusum rat mal kanä lā lakulu gatvana maguru leḷavā ädä ädä ravulu sit mena bamana baburan raňga bala yahalu   “Have a …

Little is it known that the Muslim community of Sri Lanka also have a caste group. This is the Osta caste who have not traditionally intermarried or interdined with the rest of the community. They are very much part of the local Muslim community but also distinct in their own way, and this is what makes them unique. The Osta …