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Tamil Muslim

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Tamil Muslim are members of a multi-ethnic Islamic community spread across South Asia and South East Asia.[1] According to the official Indian census of 2001, there were at least 2.5 million Tamil Muslims in the southern province of Tamil Nadu. [2] In addition, there are about 30,000 Tamil Muslims in Sri Lanka, 200,000 in Malaysia and 20,000 in Singapore.

Tamil Muslims are largely urban traders rather than farmers. There is a substantial diaspora of Tamil Muslims, particularly in South East Asia, which has seen their presence as early as the 13th century.[3] In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to North America and West Europe.

Racial identity

Tamil Muslims are identifiable only by a common language and religion (like the Walloons and Macedonians). Otherwise, they belong to multiple ethnicities such as Dravidian, Aryan, Oriental, Malay, Semitic, Turkish, Arabic, Moorish, et al. Hence, their complexions range from fair to dark; facial bone structures range from sharp/oval to rounded. This was possible due to frequent trading and marriage ties in South East Asia. These races, by the 20th century, began to be listed in official gazettes of different nations as Lebbai, Marakayar, Rowther, Kayalar (in Maharashtra), Sonagar[4] (in Sri Lanka), Mamak[5] (in Malaysia), Chulia[6] (in Singapore), etc. As a result, there is no uniformity in customs and ceremonies within and between districts and nations on occasions like births, marriages and deaths.

Legends and rituals

Several Tamil Muslim philosophers have been incorporated by Tamil Hindus into their pantheon who make annual pilgrimages to their tombs and weave stories of Tamil Muslim practitioners into the legends of their gods; the large temple of Vishnu in Urayur, for example, has also a shrine for the Tulukka Naachiyar (that is, the Turkish/Muslim consort). [7] Dargahs are frequented by Tamil Muslims as well as Tamil Hindus.

Tamil Muslim families are patrilocal though their marriages incorporate both Islamic mahr and Hindu dowry practices. For instance, it is common to see a groom pay the bride mahr sum of Rs. 1 million. and the bride in turn would pay the groom a dowry sum of Rs. 1 million. Tamil Muslims practise monogamy and male circumcision. Like the mangalsutra of Tamil Hindu brides, Tamil Muslim brides wear a black pendant called Karumani (tied by the groom's mother to the bride's neck on the day of nikkah).

Tamil Muslim women wear white thuppatti while shopping and continue to use their maiden names after marriage as the concept of surname is non-existent in the community and also as a precaution against discrimination of converts based on their pre-Islamic caste identities. This has remained a hurdle in geneological research.

Economy

The global purchasing power of Tamil Muslims in 2005 was estimated at almost $6 billion viz. $3 billion in Tamil Nadu, $1 billion in Malaysia, $600 million in Singapore and $300 million in Sri Lanka.

Tamil Muslims have historically been money changers (not money lenders) throughout South and South East Asia.[8]

Law and polity

In early 15th century, Iskandar Shah founded the Malacca Sultanate.[1]. His descendants later established the modern Johor Sultanate in early 16th century.

In early 19th century, Munshi Abdullah's provocative essays on good governance and education reforms began to shape the modern Malaysian political system.

In 1930, Jamal Mohammad became the first Tamil Muslim president of the Madras Presidency Muslim League.[9] Until then, the party was dominated by Urdu-speaking Muslims from Hyderabad.

Since late 20th century, politicians like Bader Sayeed and reformers like Dawood Shah[10] and Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for Tamil Muslim women.[11][12][13][14]

Tamil Muslim representatives such as H. Abdul Basith, Khaleelur Rahman, Ubayadullah, Hussan Ali and Mohideen Khan are found across all major Dravidian political parties like DMK and AIADMK as well as the INC.

The Malaysians, Dr.Mahathir bin Mohamad, the illustrious 4th Prime Minister and Anwar Ibrahim, the infamous 7th Deputy Prime Minister too were of Tamil Muslim origins.

Broadly speaking, Tamil Muslims tend to support laissez faire and free trade and have been unimpressed by Communism as a public policy though fringe groups often call for affirmative action in the last quarter of 20th century.

Literature

Tamil Muslim culture and literature are heavily influenced by the Qadiri flavour of Sufism. Their domain range from mystical to medical, from fictional to political, from philosophical to legal.

The earliest Tamil Muslim literary works could be traced to 14th century in the form of Palsanthmalai, a small work of eight stanzas. In 1572, Seyku Issaku, better known as Vanna Parimala Pulavar, published Aayira Masala Venru Vazhankum Adisaya Puranam detailing the Islamic principles and beliefs in a FAQ format. In 1592, Aali Pulavar wrote the Mikurasu Malai. The epic Seerapuranam by Umaru Pulavar is dated to 17th century[15] and still considered as the crowning achievement of Tamil Muslim literature. Other significant works of 17th century include Thiruneri Neetham by Sufi master Pir Mohammad, Kanakabhisheka Malai by Seyku Nainar Khan (alias Kanakavirayar), Tirumana Katchi by Sekathi Nainan and the Iraq war ballad Sackoon Pataippor. Notable publications of 18th century include Yakobu Sithat Patal, a medical primer on Siddha Vaithyam (distinguished from Ayurvedic medicine).

Nevertheless, an independent Tamil Muslim identity evolved only in the last quarter of the 20th century triggered by the rise of Dravidian politics as well as the introduction of new communications and lithographic technologies (apart from ola).[16][17] The world's first Tamil Islamic Literature Conference was held in Trichi in 1973. In early 2000. the Department of Tamil Islamic Literature was set up in the University of Madras.[18] Literati such as Jainulabudeen, Pavalar Inqulab, A. Rokkiah[19] and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, helped push the frontiers of enlightenment into the 21st century.[20] The pioneering fortnightly journal Samarasam was established in 1981 to highlight and cater to the ethnic Tamil Muslim community's issues.

Vocabulary

Tamil Muslim vocabulary includes several peculiar words that cannot be found among non-Muslim Tamils like thuppatti (purdah), thozhugai (prayer), nonbu (fasting), baangu (invitation to prayer), kayili (lungi), chicha (younger paternal uncle), peribaapu (elder paternal uncle), chichani (wife of younger paternal uncle), peribuvva (wife of elder paternal uncle), pallivaasal (mosque), aanam (curry) et al.

Medicine

Unani physician Abdul Kausar was awarded by the southern governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for his work on kasini herbs.[21]

Art and architecture

Artistes like Nagore E.M. Hanifa, Nassar, Ameer Sultan, Rajkiran, B. H. Abdul Hameed and A.R. Rehman are popular in the Tamil music and film industry.

Tamil mosques are typically of small scale and almost always painted white and green (reflecting peace and prosperity) and entrances prefixed with stylised 786. The first Tamil mosque, Kadarkarai Masjid, was built in early 7th century in Kayalpattinam [2].

Cuisine

Tamil Muslim cuisine is a syncretic mixture of Tamil Hindu and northern Muslim recipes and flavours.[22] Its distinguishing feature is the total absence of hot kebab and pungent colourful spices that tend to permeate most Indian non-vegetarian food. The spice used is called rampe or pandan leaves. This leaf gives out a distinct flavour only when cooked.

Tamil Muslim cuisine also uses a lot of Masi or dry fish, which is powdered and used with many different items. They also use ada urugai, which is whole lime pickled in salt but with no chillies; this is mashed and mixed with the Masi powder. The combination gives a sour taste and a distinctly different flavour.

Though the diet of Tamil Muslim is non-vegetarian, they seldom eat beef. Coconut oil is used for hair-dressing while many chew betel without tobacco after heavy lunch.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tamil-speaking Muslims re-discover ties across borders
  2. ^ Majority of the Muslims in TN speak Tamil
  3. ^ Tamil Muslims in Zheng He's fleet
  4. ^ Sri Lankan Moorish Muslims are also called as Sonagars
  5. ^ Tamil Muslim dominate restaurant industry in Malaysia
  6. ^ Chulia traders from the Coromandel coast settled Serangoon
  7. ^ 1996 AAS Abstracts: South Asia Session 222
  8. ^ Historical dominance on money changing business
  9. ^ Jamal Mohammad becomes first Tamil Muslim president of MPML
  10. ^ Tamil Muslim Periyar
  11. ^ World's first Masjid for Women
  12. ^ BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Women battle on with mosque plan
  13. ^ S.T.E.P.S.
  14. ^ TMMK opposes a mosque!
  15. ^ The Diversity in Indian Islam
  16. ^ Tamil Muslim identity
  17. ^ New print technologies trigger revolution in Tamil Muslim literature (pdf)
  18. ^ Islamic Voice (magazine)
  19. ^ Irandaam Jaamangalin Kathai
  20. ^ Rebel Poet in the Panchayat
  21. ^ DAIVEEGA MARUTHUVAM : Dr. S. Akbar Kausar
  22. ^ Business Line
  23. ^ Coconut oil and betel are staples
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