Labbay

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Labbay
Total population

about 1 Million
Regions with significant populations
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, UAE & USA
Languages
Tamil, Urdu
Religions
Hanafi Islam


Labbay, Labbai, Labba (Tamil : லப்பய் , Urdu : ﻟﺐ ﺑﮯ) is a distinctive Islamic community from Southern India. A Trading Community spread through the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Labbays follow either the Hanafi or Shafi'i school of Fiqh.

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[edit] Identity and origins

The Name of the Community Labbay is derived from the Arabic phrase Labbay'k (Arabic : لبیک ), which translated means - Here I am. This is, in reference to the popular belief that the Labbay Community is one of the first trading communities to arrive at the Corramandel & Malabar Coasts from abroad.

[edit] History

Labbays are said to have descended from the Traders from the Persian Gulf, and also many converts from the Southern States. Since the late 13th century, Labbays were a trading and entrepreneurial community specializing in the trade and manufacture of leather, tobacco, grains and spices as far as China and South East Asia.

[edit] Labbays today

Labbays are a modern and progressive community, who have diversified into various Fields of Industry and Profession. Labbays have also contributed to Southern India, with help in the construction of many Educational and Health care Institutions, notably, the New College, Chennai; Justice Basheer Ahmed Syed College for Women, Chennai etc.

[edit] Distinguishing features

Female names in the Labbay community typically end with the suffix Banu. Also, Labbays are fair complexioned with oval facial bone structures inherited from intermarriage with other Oriental races.Tamil Muslims.

Lebbas in Kerala are mostly spread in southern districts, especially in ‘Middle Travancore’. But, later some of them migrated to Kozhikode District (Koodaranhi, Thiruvampady, Mukkom areas).

[edit] References

  • Religions and Communities of India -P. N. Chopra.


[edit] External links