Sri Lanka

Islam in Sri Lanka is a significant and historic religion, with a presence dating back over a thousand years. Here’s a detailed overview:

1. Muslim Population:

  • Muslims make up about 9–10% of Sri Lanka’s total population (approximately 2 million people).
  • Islam is the third-largest religion in the country after Buddhism and Hinduism.
  • Muslims in Sri Lanka are generally known as Sri Lankan Moors, with smaller groups like Indian Moors and Malay Muslims.

2. Ethnic Groups:
Sri Lankan Moors:

  • The largest Muslim group, believed to be descendants of Arab traders who settled on the island as early as the 8th century CE.
  • Speak Tamil as their mother tongue, although some also speak Sinhala and English.

Indian Moors:

  • Descendants of Muslim laborers and traders from India.
  • Mostly settled in urban areas such as Colombo and other commercial centers.

Malay Muslims:

  • Descendants of Southeast Asian Muslims brought by colonial powers (Dutch, British).
  • Speak a Creole form of Malay and have unique cultural practices.

3. Sunni Islam Dominance:

  • The vast majority of Muslims in Sri Lanka are Sunni, following the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence.
  • There are also small numbers of Shi’a Muslims and Ahmadiyya communities.

4. Mosques and Religious Life:
Thousands of mosques are spread across the island, with significant ones like:

  • Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) in Colombo.
  • Kattankudy Grand Mosque in the Eastern Province.

Muslims actively celebrate Islamic festivals such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. Hajj pilgrimage is an important spiritual journey for many Sri Lankan Muslims.

5. Islamic Education:

  • There are many Madrassas and Islamic schools across the country.
  • Arabic is taught for religious purposes, and Quranic studies are emphasized alongside secular education.

6. Relations with Other Communities:
Muslims have coexisted with Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians for centuries. However, in recent years, tensions have occasionally arisen:

  • 2014 Aluthgama riots: Anti-Muslim violence by extremist Buddhist groups.
  • 2019 Easter Bombings: Carried out by a radical Islamist group, leading to increased suspicion and scrutiny of the Muslim community.

Despite these incidents, daily life remains largely peaceful, and Muslims are integrated into Sri Lankan society.

7. Challenges Faced:

  • Rising Islamophobia and misinformation fueled by political or nationalist groups.
  • Occasional restrictions on Islamic dress (like bans on the niqab/burqa after the 2019 attacks).
  • Concerns over the destruction of Muslim businesses and properties in communal clashes.

8. Economic and Political Influence:

  • Muslims are active in business, trade, and politics.
  • Several prominent Muslim politicians and parties represent their interests in Parliament.
  • Many Muslims are engaged in the gem trade, retail, agriculture, and food industries.

Sri Lanka
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .lk
Country Code: +94