The origin and the identity of the Moors in Srilanka (ii)

Epigraphic evidence may also be cited in this connection. Noteworthy is the Arabic tombstone inscription in Kufic characters which is the script developed in Kufah, Iraq. Concerning an Islamic cleric named Khalid Ibn Abu [B]akkaya dated Hijiri year 337 A.H. (10th Century) found at the Moorish burial ground in Colombo. Besides this, seven other stones, including five grave stones inscribed in Arabic dated from the 8th- 16th century A.C. have been discovered. The earliest tombstone discovered in May 1976 at Madulbowa bears the Hijiri date 133 A.H.(8th century). The fact that the Arabic language had been in the inscriptions suggested that the country’s Muslim’s or at least a significant proportion of them were literate and conversant in Arabic.

The appellations given to the moors by themselves as well as by others also indicate their Arab origin. The Ceylon moors have manifested Arabic influence in their lives up to the present day. Dr.Andreas Nell, the well known historian said;

“In the 18th century Buddhist shrine at Galmaduwa the windows had three cusps and the main door had five cusps….it is apparent from the architecture and masonry distinctly that the work was done by moors because at the time they were very popular in the kandyan kingdom.”

The Arabic influence is also seen in the dishes prepared by the Ceylon moors – the kunafa (of vermicelli, sweetened with honey, sugar, nuts, raisins etc. or with minced meat and onions), Kabab (small morsels of meat roasted on skewers), wheat dishes like halisha (mashed wheat and chicken) thak-kadi (wheat flour and meat) and other pastries, sweetmeats like halwa, fruit preserved and vattilappam(type of pudding) though not known by their original Arabic names, but distinctly Ceylon moor and the art of preparation handed down from generation to generation.

The Ceylon moors have earned praise for their moral characters, observance of ethics, intellect and honesty and trustworthiness not only from the ancient Sinhala kings but from the Dutch. The British and the Ceylonese leaders of independent Srilanka.

Wolf, the Dutch historian, said; “the moor have the art of keeping up their credit with the company (Dutch)… a moor is hardly ever known to be brought to a court of justice.”

The British Chief Justice Sir Alexander Johnston wrote in 1827; “the conduct with which they (moor) as a body invariably observed with the respect the different measures which I adopted while I was chief Justice and President of His Majesty’s council in Ceylon, gave me a very favourable opinion of their intellectual and moral characters.”

The Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake, first Prime minister of independent Srilanka said; “I regard the Ceylon moor community as one of the most hard-working communities in the country….of all the communities in the country, you are the most fitted to lead the way in the ceylonisation of trade.”

The Ceylon moors are not only proud of their Arabian connection and their loyalty to Srilanka but also of the various links established through other Muslim countries- mainly by the visits of saints, theologians, missionaries, travellers and others from these countries. While maintaining cordial links with all Islamic countries the Ceylon moors can claim direct connections with following such as; Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Yemen, India.