Tamil Muslim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tamil Muslim are members of an Islamic community of Tamil ethnicity spread across South India and South East Asia.[1] According to the official Indian census of 2001, there were at least 3.6 million Muslims in Tamil Nadu. About two-thirds of them speak Tamil while the rest speak Urdu. [2] 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]

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[edit] 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 their legends; the large temple of Vishnu in Urayur, for example, has also a shrine for the Tulukka Naachiyar (that is, the Turkish/Muslim consort). [4] Dargahs are frequented by Tamil Muslims as well as Tamil Hindus.

Tamil Muslim 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).

[edit] 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.

Politicians and reformers [5] and Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for Tamil Muslim women.[6][7][8][9]

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.

[edit] Literature

Tamil Muslim culture and literature are heavily influenced by the Qadiri flavour of Sufism.

Although the earliest Tamil Muslim literary works could be traced to 17th century in the form of Seerapuranam by Umaru Pulavar,[10] 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 technologies.[11]

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.[12]

Literati such as Jainulabudeen, Pavalar Inqulab, A. Rokkiah[13] and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam helped push the frontiers of enlightenment into the 21st century.[14]

The pioneering fortnightly journal Samarasam was established in 1981 to highlight and cater to the ethnic Tamil Muslim community's issues.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.[15]

[edit] Art and architecture

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

Tamil mosques are 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].

[edit] Cuisine

Tamil Muslim cuisine is a syncretic mixture of Tamil Hindu and northern Muslim recipes and flavours.[16] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] 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. ^ 1996 AAS Abstracts: South Asia Session 222
  5. ^ Tamil Muslim Periyar
  6. ^ World's first Masjid for Women
  7. ^ BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Women battle on with mosque plan
  8. ^ S.T.E.P.S.
  9. ^ TMMK opposes a mosque!
  10. ^ The Diversity in Indian Islam
  11. ^ Tamil Muslim identity
  12. ^ Islamic Voice (magazine)
  13. ^ Irandaam Jaamangalin Kathai
  14. ^ Rebel Poet in the Panchayat
  15. ^ DAIVEEGA MARUTHUVAM : Dr. S. Akbar Kausar
  16. ^ Business Line