Tamil Muslim refers to members of Tamil speaking multi-ethnic Islamic community found in South Asia and South East Asia.^[2] According to the official Indian census of 2001, there were at least 2 million Tamil Muslims in the southern province of Tamil Nadu.^[3] In addition, there are about 500,000 Tamil Muslims in Malaysia which is 2.6% from total population 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.^[4] In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to the North America and Western Europe.

They are called as Moors in Srilanka, Cholias in Myanmar, Mamaks in Malaysia and Rathas in South africa.

Racial identity

Tamil Muslims are identifiable by a common language and religion. 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^[5] (in Sri Lanka), Mamak^[6] (in Malaysia), Chulia^[7] (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). ^[8] Dargah worship is popular among Tamil Muslims as well as Tamil non-Muslims though it is forbidden as idolatry.

Tamil Muslim families are patrilocal though their marriages incorporate Islamic mahr practice. For instance, it is common to see a groom pay the bride mahr sum of 10,000 rupees and the bride in turn would pay the groom a dowry sum of 100,000 rupees though practice of dowry is banned by Islamic doctrines. 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 instead of black burqas (that are popular among Urdu-speaking Muslims) 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 genealogical research.

Economy

The global purchasing power of Tamil Muslims in 2005 was estimated at almost $8 billion viz. $3 billion in Tamil Nadu, $2 billion in Srilanka, $1 billion in Malaysia, $600 million in Singapore. Tamil Muslims have historically been money changers (not money lenders) throughout South and South East Asia.^[9]

Generally Tamil Muslims involved in various trade like retail, Mutton shops, shops in Foreign bazaar. They also involve in Gems trade & Lether industry.

Due to the Gulf oppurtunities, lot of Tamil Muslims went to gulf. Now lakhs of Tamil Muslims spread over gulf countries and also in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. This brought prosperity to Tamil Muslim community.

There are about 400 millionaires within the community and at least one billionaire viz. B.S. Abdur Rahman (better known as the Buhari Group) who founded the conglomerate ETA Star Group, Chennai Citi Centre, Chepauk Stadium, Marina Lighthouse, Valluvar Kottam, Government General Hospital, Gemini Flyover,Crescent Engineering College, et al. He owns over 70 ocean-going vessels.^[10] Fathima Jewellers & LKS gold house in chennai, Femina groups and Ahmed brothers in Trichy, Anil semia, Hanifa textiles, Nizam Betalnuts are also famous Tamil Muslim business entities.

Politics

In Tamil Nadu, Indian Union Muslim League led by Quaid i Millath was famous among Tamil Muslims. In 80s, Then National league was created by Abdul Lathif Sahib by separating from Muslim league and Muslim league was led by Abdul Samath. Soon Death of two important leaders Abdul Lathif Sahib and Abdul Samath Sahib, these two parties attempt to failure to fulfil the needs of Tamil Muslims and there were no important leaders. After Babri Masjid demolition, insecurity arpse and Tamil Muslim Youths took an U turn and interested in active politics and old people continue to support IUML.

TMMK was founded as a social advocacy organisation of Tamil Nadu Muslims and involved in various non electoral political activities & Social services. It created MMK as a political party on 2009 and competed in four seats but not won. Generally Tamil Nadu Muslims vote bank is diversified, they are in all parties like DMK, ADMK, Congress & CPM and vote for all parties according to their interests. TMMK tries to build one strong Muslim vote bank which can play an important role in Tamil Nadu.

DMK tries to maintain its substantial Muslim vote bank which built strong relationship with Muslims since the starting period of DMKC with Quaid i Millath. So that it announces various schemes for Muslims like 3.5 % separate reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs, Ulomas Welfare Board, and Quaid i Millath Memorial Place.

Now two Muslim MPs represent the society in Indian Parliament, Haroon Rashidh of Congress and Abdur rahman of IUML. Abdur rahman of IUML contested under DMK banner. In TamiNadu Assembly, Seven Muslim MLA's are there as follows: ABDUL BASITH - DMK Vaniyambadi, BADER SAYEED - AIADMK Triplicane, HASAN ALI - INC Ramanathapuram, KHALELUR RAHMAN-DMK Aravakurichi, MOHIDEEN KHAN - DMK Palayamkottai, SYED GHOUSE BASHA - DMK Madurai Central, UBAYADULLAH- DMK Thanjavur. There are two Muslim ministers in Tamil Nadu Cabinet, Janab S. N. M. Ubayadullah, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Janab T. P. M. Moideen Khan,Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Environment and Pollution Control and Wakfs.

Education

After independence, the Tamil Muslims begun to create lot of schools, colleges of their own. Jamal Mohamed College in Trichy, New College in Chennai, Waqf Board College in Madurai, Zahira College in Colombo, Osmania College in Jaffna are some of famous service based Tamil Muslim colleges. In mid 80's lot of Muslim self financing colleges were started. Now cresent Engineering college became BS Abdur Rahman University, the first Muslim university in Tamil Nadu.

In Tamil Nadu, Muslims school education is okay and level is relaticely equal to general literacy level. But in higher education Muslims lacks, its due to their family members and relatives take them for jobs in Gulf and south east asia {Mainly Singapore, Malasia and Brunei in South Asia} in young age itself. And Muslims generally involved in trade, so that their children also intrested in that and missing higher education. But now slowly picture changes.

These are some Muslim educational institutes in Tamil Nadu:

A.I.M.A.N. College For Women-Trichy
A.J.College of Pharmacy-Chennai
Annai Arts & Science College-Kumabakonam
Abdul Hakeem college-Melvisharam
Dhanish Ahmadh College of Engineering-Chennai.
Muqayyath Sha Sirguro Wakf Board College-Madurai.
Dr.Zakir Husain College-Ilayankudi.
Hajee Karutha Rowther Howdia College-Uthamapalayam.
Islamiah College-Vaniyambadi
Islamiah Women's Arts and Science College
Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous)-Trichy
Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women-chennai
Khader Mohideen College-Athiramapattinam.
M.I.E.T. Arts and Science College-Trichy
M.A.R. Engieering college-Trichy.
M.A.M. Engineering college-Trichy
Mazharul-Uloom College-Aambur
Mohamed Sadhak A.J.College of Engineering-Chenai
Mohamed Sathak Colloge of Arts and Science-Chennai
Muslim Arts College-Thiruvithancode
Naina Mohamed College of Arts and Science-Aranthangi
The New College-Chennai
New College Institute of management-Chennai
Quaide Milleth College-Chennai
Rabiammal Ahmed Mohideen College for Women-Thiruvarur
RajaGiri Dawood Batcha college of Arts and Sciences-Thanjavur
S.B.A.College of Science and Management-Arni
S.M.Kader Engineering College-Maduramangalam
Sadakathullah Appa College-Tirunelveli
Sulthana Abdullah Rowther College for Women-Needamangalam
Syed Hameedha Arts & science college-Kilakarai
Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women-kilakarai
Texcity Arts and Science College-Coimbatore

Places

Even though Tamil Muslims are spread over, in some places they live commun life. Kayalpattinam, Kizhakkarai, Kuthanallur, Labbaikudikadu, Mimisal, Pallappatti, Rajagiri, Veeracholan in Tamil Nadu, Kathankudi, Sammandurai, Muttor, Kalmunai, Kinniaya, Peruvalai, Purakkottai in Sri lanka, Yangoon in Myanmar,Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Penang & KL in malasia are some places where Tamil Muslims collectively live.

Law and Politics

Tamil Muslim
Regions with significant populations
	Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar and Singapore
Religion
	Islam
Related ethnic groups
	Indian Muslims, Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka, Dravidian people

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

Sir Mohammad Usman was the most prominent among the early political leaders of the community. In 1930, Jamal Mohammad became the first Tamil Muslim president of the Madras Presidency Muslim League.^[11] Until then, the party was dominated by Urdu-speaking Muslims from the Nizamat of Hyderabad. Yakub Hasan Sait was an Urdu-speaking Gujarati Muslim who settled in Tamil Nadu and served as a minister in the Rajaji government.

Since late 20th century, politicians like Quaid E Millath and Dawood Shah^[12] and Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for Tamil Muslim women.^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]

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

The Malaysian diplomats, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and Zambry too are 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

Indian 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^[17] 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 mass communications and lithographic technologies.^[18]^[19] 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.^[20] Literati such as Kavikko Abdur Rahman, Mu.Metha, Jainulabudeen, Pavalar Inqulab, A. Rokkiah^[21] and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, helped push the frontiers of enlightenment into the 21st century.^[22] 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), kayili (lungi), chacha or saachipa (younger paternal uncle), peribaapu (elder paternal uncle), chachi or saachi (wife of younger paternal uncle), periya vaapa (wife of elder paternal uncle), pallivaasal (mosque), aanam (curry), et al.

Medicine

Unani physician Akbar Kousar was awarded by the southern governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for his work on kasini herbs.^[23]

Art and architecture

Artistes like Nagore E.M. Hanifa, Nassar, Ameer Sultan, Rajkiran, B. H. Abdul Hameed, Mansur Ali Khan and A. R. Rahman 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^[24].

Cuisine

Tamil Muslim cuisine is a syncretic mixture of Tamil Hindu and Urdu Muslim recipes and flavours.^[25] Its distinguishing feature is the total absence of hot kebab and pungent colorful 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 includes the use of Masi or dry fish, which is powdered and used with many different items. But this is limited to the coastal regions. 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 flavor. Though the diet of Tamil Muslims is non-vegetarian, they do not eat beef. Coconut oil is used for hair-dressing while many chew betel without tobacco after a heavy lunch and also drink tea.^[26]

References

[1] Religion data at census.tn.nic.in.

[2] Tamil-speaking Muslims re-discover ties across borders

[3] Indian Census

[4] Tamil Muslims in Zheng He's fleet

[5] Sri Lankan Moorish Muslims are also called as Sonagars

[6] Tamil Muslim dominate restaurant industry in Malaysia

[7] Chulia traders from the Coromandel coast settled Serangoon

[8] 1996 AAS Abstracts: South Asia Session 222

[9] y changing business

[10] Buhari Group's global reach

[11] Jamal Mohammad becomes first Tamil Muslim president of MPML

[12] Tamil Muslim Periyar

[13] World's first Masjid for Women

[14] BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Women battle on with mosque plan

[15] S.T.E.P.S.

[16] TMMK opposes a mosque!

[17] The Diversity in Indian Islam

[18] Tamil Muslim identity

[19] New print technologies trigger revolution in Tamil Muslim literature (pdf)

[20] Islamic Voice (magazine)

[21] Irandaam Jaamangalin Kathai

[22] Rebel Poet in the Panchayat

[23] DAIVEEGA MARUTHUVAM : Dr. S. Akbar Kausar

[24] [1]

[25] Business Line

[26] Coconut oil and betel are staples

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