Culture & Heritage

The sun is slowly slipping down behind the majestic mountains. In just a few minutes it will set. While the city is slowly coming to the evening stand still, you see children wearing scarfs and koufiyyahs (Muslim headdress for males) and dressed in thoabs (long garments) scurrying across the streets of suburbia delivering plates of treats to their neighbours; a …

Upon declaration of our independence on July 4, 1776, two of the first three heads of states who recognized the sovereignty of the United States were Muslims and one of them was a Muslim from India. Americans, Indians and Muslims have a connection since the very beginning of our independence. We were all opposed to colonial rule, and fought them …

While Muslims in the US enthusiastically pull out their stored Rubbermaid tubs marked “Ramadan/Eid,” packed with strings of paper lanterns, electric lights and glass ornaments bought, others find this “new” tradition to be a questionable innovation or another capitalist trapping. It may seem that converted Muslims have simply transferred their old traditions and newly immigrated Muslims have copied their neighbors’ …

          The sudden demise of Al-Haj Shahul Hameed Muhammad Jameel on 27th April 2015 was a great loss to the community and to myself personally. He led a well accomplished and illustrious life. His contributions as an eminent educationist, administrator, scholar, orator, researcher, archivist, writer, author, publisher et al will be remembered for a long time …

According to the direction of Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Archaeology Department this four storey building was constructed at the cost of  several million rupees. This museum was opened by former deputy minister and the Batticaloa district parliamentarian M.L.A.M.Hizbullaha. This museum clearly briefs the historical, religious, political, business and rituals of Muslim people thousands of years ago in Sri Lanka. …