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Lanka`s kings had relations with ancient Arabs ? Judge Gafoor
Thursday, 1 March 2007 - 5:05 AM SL Time
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Gampaha District Judge M. M. A. Gafoor welcoming the delegates from different countries of the Arab world, who had come to participate in a seminar on the concept of `Islam Yesterday and Today` said it was a great honour to welcome them to Malwana, which was considered as one of the ancient Arab settlements. According to the Mahavamsa, a local historical chronicle, the Sinhala king Pandukabaya had allocated residential quarters for foreign merchants in the capital of Anuradhapura. They were known as Yavanas.
The seminar was held at the Dalugala, Kaduyath Nabaviyya Mushaffaviya mosque recently,. presided over by Sheik Ahamed Bin Mohamed Alim.
Gafoor said the Arab historian Abnu Shahrayar in his book, Ajab-Ul-Hind refers to a delegate sent by the king of Sri Lanka to Arabia on hearing of the Prophet and the religion preached by him. When the delegate reached Arabia, the Prophet had died. It was the period of the Calipha Hazarath Umar. The delegate met Calipha Umar, inquired about the messenger of Islam and returned to Sri Lanka. He reported to the king of what he heard regarding the teaching of Islam. Al Balazuri, the Arab historian in his book Ul-Buldan` refers to orphan girls sent by the Lankan king to Umayya Governor, Jajjaj Ibn Yoosoof.
Muslims of Sri Lanka maintained a close relationship with the Abbasia capital, Baghdad. The Arabic tomb inscription discovered in Colombo mentions of Abu Bakaya, who was sent by the Calipha of Baghdad to teach the principles of Islam. He lived in Lanka and died in 317 AH. The Calipha had sent a gravestone to be placed on his grave at the request of Lanka`s Muslims.
Arab geographers and historians have made reference to Sri Lanka in their works. Al Balazura, the Arab historian refers to Sri Lanka as Jeziratul Yaqut, the `Island of Rubies`. Some of them called Sri Lanka Serendib and also as Seylan.
Arab travellers who visited Sri Lanka wrote of it in their works. Al Masudi, the famous Arab geographer, visited Sri Lanka in 970 AD. Ibn-Batuta visited Sri Lanka in 1344 and gave a detailed description of Jabal Adam or Adam`s Peak.
The Sufis from `Hadramawth` and Yemen played a very important role in the spread of Islam in Sri Lanka, specially Moulana Mubarak who visited Malwana, Thihariya, Kahatowila, and Galle and has a special place for his contribution to Islam. Also Shekh Muhamed Al Jifry Yemen, Sheik Abdula-Ibn-Umai Al Badhab of Yemen, Seyyed Abdurahaman Al Ahdal were some important Sufis who came to Sri Lanka from the Arab world and played an important role in the religious life of Muslims in Sri Lanka.
Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana, Presidential Advisor A. H. M. Azwer and several others spoke.
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BABA
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One mankind many races.
One world many nations.
One God many relegions. |
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