List of Sri Lankan Moors

This is a list of Sri Lankan Moors. Sri Lankan Moors (;  formerly Ceylon Moors; colloquially referred to as Muslims or Moors) are the minority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, comprising 9.3% of the country's total population. They are mainly native speakers of the Tamil language with influence of Sinhalese and Arabic words, however, some of them use Sinhalese as their native tongue. They are predominantly followers of Islam.

The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka in waves beginning from the 8th century. The population of Moors are the highest in the Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

The Portuguese named the Muslims in India and Sri Lanka after the Muslim Moors they met in Iberia. The word Moors did not exist in Sri Lanka before the arrival of the Portuguese colonists. The term 'Moor' was chosen because of the Islamic faith of these people, and was not a reflection of their origin.

The Tamil term for Moors is Sonakar, which is thought to be derived from the word sunni. The Tamil term Sonakar along with the Sinhalese term Yonaka, has been thought to have been derived from the term Yona, a term originally applied to Greeks, but sometimes also Arabs.

Head Moorman 
 Head Moorman Dr. Oduma Lebbe Marikar Sheikh Abdul Cader Marikar alias Shaikady Marikar (1772-1847)
 Head Moorman Muhammad Lebbe Siddi Lebbe

Native headmen of Ceylon
Native headmen of Ceylon - The Native headmen system was an integral part of the administration of the island of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) under the successive European colonial powers, namely the Portuguese Empire, the Dutch East India Company and the British Empire. Native headmen or leaders where appointed by the European colonial administrators to function as intermediates between the Europeans and the native populous. During different periods through this system these headmen functioned in military, policing, administrative and ceremonial capacities. They served as translators, revenue collectors and wielded quasi-judicial powers. Much of the system evolved and changed over time until some of the last vestiges of it were removed in the post-independent Ceylon.

Mudaliyar (Mudali - මුදලි)
 Chief Mudaliyar Sheikh Abdul Cader Marikar Muhammad Cassim Lebbe Marikar (1805 – 1877) - Chief Mudaliyar Eastern Province 
 Aboobucker Mudaliyar of Galle
 Mudaliyar Muhammad Ismail Abdul Rahman
 Mudaliyar Casie Lebbe Maestriyar Oduma Lebbe

Muhandiram (මුහන්දිරම්)
 Haji Marikkar Muhandiram (d:1817) of Wellassa
 Galagaha Vidanalagegedara Seyed Mohamed Lebbe Marikar Madige Muhandiram (1840-1939) of Kandy
 M. K. Abdul Hameed Madige Muhandiram of Kurunegala
 Mohammed Salie Muhandiram Madige Aarachchi of Kotiyakumbura 
 Ibra Lebbe Sulaiman Lebbe Muhandiram (1893 - 1964) of Kurikotuwa Maddeketiya Korale
 Muhandiram M. K. Mahmood Lebbe alias Thalama (1910-1981) of Ibbagamuwa.

Udayar
 Saleem Kariapper Udayar

Arachchi (ආරච්චි)
 Muhammedh Thamby Samsudheen Vidane-Arachchi alias Dheen Arachchi (1860 – 1915) of Negombo - Dheen Junction in Negombo is named after him
 Ali Thambi Abbas Lebbe Arachchi of Kal-Eliya 
 Galagaha Vidanalage Gedara Ismail Marikkar Grama Aarachchi of Mawanella
 Unus Ibunu Muhammed Abdul Razzak Town Arachchi (1892-1972) of Nelundeniya
 Pawalkodi Ismail Lebbe Marikar Mathicham Muhammad Abdullah Headman, Titular Arachchi of Matara

Vanniah
 Abdul Kareem Kariapper Vanniah of Eravur Pattu and Koralai Pattu 
 Abdul Latheef Kariapper Vanniah of Sammanthurai Pattu 
 Mohamed Meeralebbe Abdul Majeed Vanniah 
 Meera Lebbe Podi Vanniah

Peace Officer (Muladeniya)
 Peace Officer Muhammad Ghany of Galloluwa
 Peace Officer Sidar Muhannad Ali Thamby of Kal-Eliya
 Peace Officer Khalid Ahamed Unus Ibunu (1845-1898) of Nelundeniya
 Peace Officer Unus Ibunu Muhammad Ismail (1873-1918) of Warakapola 
 Peace Officer Ali of Polgahawela

Vidane
 Arrasi Marikkar alias Sinna Thamby Vidane of Malwana
 Muhammad Hajie Marikar Vidane of Alutgama
 Maththicham Saleem Lebbe Muhammed Thamby Vidane (1819-1884) of Negombo - Udayar Thoppuwa Mosque at Dheen Junction in Negombo was built by him in 1846. This Masjid is maintained by his descendants who continue to preserve the original building.
 Avoo Lebbe Marikar Vidane of Thihariya
 Mohammed Mohideen Kariapper Vidane
 Hassan Meera Lebbe Police Vidane of Kahatovita
 Mohammed Meera Lebbe Seeni Vidane

Leading Businesspersons

1820-1947
 Oduma Lebbe Marikar Ahmed Lebbe Marikar Alim (OLMALM Alim) d. 1917  - He established O.L.M.A.L.M. Alim & Sons (Import of hardware & household items) in 1820 at 3rd Cross Street, Colombo 11.  He was one of the wealthy among the Ceylon Moors in Colombo. He did extensive hardware business and was possessed of several immovable properties. He had several sons who managed each department of his businesses. He passed away in 1917 and his estate was valued at approximately two million rupees.
 Idroos Lebbe Marikar Noordeen Hajiar – He established I.L.M. Noordeen Hajiar & Company (Import of iron, steel, metal, hardware, small arms, ammunition & electrical good) in 1840 at 236 Main Street, Colombo 11
 S.M. Assena Marikar– He established S.M. Assena Marikar & Company (Import of hardware & household items) in 1840 at 6 &14 China Street, Colombo 11.
 Yusuf Lebbe Idroos Lebbe Marikar Hajiar – He was General Merchant and Landed Proprietor. He was the Trustee of the Grand Mosque and had donated a valuable property in Pettah for the Mosque. 
 Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar (1829-1925) -  His name will be long remembered as the builder of the General Post Office in Colombo, the Colombo Museum, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, the Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Clock Tower, Batternburg Battery etc. In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by His Excellency, Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims present. At the end of the ceremony His Excellency asked Arasi Marikar Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. The same question was asked by His Excellency from the carpenter who assisted Wapchi Marikar with the wood work of the Museum who desired a local Rank and was honoured accordingly. Wapchi Marikar, noticing the large number of Muslims present, feared that they would spend their time at the Museum on Friday during the Islamic congregation prayer, and requested that the Museum be closed on Fridays. This request has been adhered to by all authorities in charge of the Museum to this day.
 M.C. Joonoos - He established M.C. Joonoos & Company (Export of Jewelry & Gems) in 1855 at 12 Grand Orient Hotel, Colombo 01
 O.L.M. Macan-Markar (d. 1901)  – He established O.L.M. Macan-Markar & Company (Export of Jewellery & Gems) in 1860 at Grand Orient Hotel, Galle Face Hotel, Hotel Taprobane, Galle Face Courts Colombo 03
 Cassim Lebbe Marikkar Bawa - He Established C.L. Marikar Bawa & Sons (Import of Diamonds & Silk, Export of Jewelry & Gems) in 1869 at 90 Chatham Street, Colombo 01. Bawa Place in Colombo 08 is named after him 
 Ismail Lebbe Marikar Muhammad Cassim – He established Abdul Rahims (Import of household items, hardware, furniture & electrical goods) in 1872 in the name of his eldest son Muhammad Cassim Abdul Rahim
 Assen Ali Muhammad Nagoor Meera - He established AM Nagoor Meera & Company in 1886 at Gas Works Street, Colombo 11. He died in 1923 and left behind an estate valued at 21 million Rupees, a vast and unbelievable fortune at that time 
 A.H. Hamid – He established A.H. Hamid & Company (Import of Diamonds, Export of Pearls, Jewelry & Gems) in 1886 at 9/10 Bristol Building, Colombo 01
 Abdul Latife – He established Abdul Latife & Company (Import of household items) in 1887 at 23/25 3rd Cross Street, Colombo 11
 Sulaiman Lebbe Naina Marikar Hajiar (1868-1926) – He established S.L. Naina-Marikar & Company [Import of textiles & automobiles (1920)] at 188 Keyzer Street, Colombo 11
 Noordeen Hajiar Abdul Gaffoor Hajiar – He established N. D. H. Abdul Gaffoor & Sons (Export of Gems, Pearls, & Jewelry, Import of Diamonds) in 1895 at Gaffoor Building, Bristol Street, Colombo. He had special permission to board the ships that called at the Colombo harbour and sell his gems and jewellery to the sailors. By special command, Abdul Gaffoor was allowed the privilege of exhibiting pearls, diamonds, rubies and sapphires and art works to the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Kandy Pavilion, during their Royal visit in 1901. His stall was given a prominent place at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924 and Her Majesty Queen Mary personally visited his pavilion and made purchases. It was by sheer merit that he achieved success. In 1932, he established a Muslim Theological Institute, known as the Ghaffooria Arabic College, for the study of Arabic, at Maharagama. Abdul Caffoor Mawatha in Colombo 03 is named after him
 Wapu Marikar Hassim JP (1880-1960) - He attended Wesley College, Colombo, and was preparing to appear for the Notary’s examination when his elders recommended that he take up to trade and business. He established W. M. Hassim & Sons (Import of hardware & household items) in 1906, at No. 77, Main Street, Colombo 11. His charity knew no bounds for both Muslim and non-Muslim causes. The state, acknowledging his philanthropy and educational activity, honored him with the title of Justice of the Peace on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of His majesty King George V
 Levana Marikar Uvais Hajiar – He established Mackie Stores in 1921 at 256 Main Street Colombo 11
 S. M. M. Hussain (1916-1991) - He established The Colombo Picture Palace (picture framing and sheet glass) in 1942

1948–Present
 M.I.M. Mohideen– He established M.I.M. Mohideen & Company (Importersof Sanitaryware, Ceramic, Bathroom Fittings & Accessories, Tiles, P.V.C, Pipes and Hardware) in 1960 at 110, 114 Messenger Street Colombo 12
 Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Naleem Hajiar (1932-2006) - Gem Merchant, Founder of Bairaha Group and Jamiah Naleemiah gem king
 A.W.M. Makeen Hajiar (1933-2014) - He established Macksons Holdings (parent Company of Multilac Paints) in 1970
 M.L.M Naeem Hajiar - He established Ali Brothers in 1970
 Zainul Abdeen Marikar Mohamed Refai Hajiar - He established Zam Gems in 1976

Politicians

Legislative Council of Ceylon (1833-1931)

 Muhammad Cassim Abdul Rahman (1829-1899) - He was nominated to a seat in the Colombo Municipal Council in 1876 to look after and promote the interest of the local Ceylon Moors (Muslims). He made such an impressive mark, that, while a Counsellor he was also appointed as an unofficial Municipal Magistrate. The Moors of Ceylon of the time, incoherent though, yet made calls for representation in the Legislative Council to which Abdul Rahman was appointed on October 29, 1889, as the first Mohammedan member, by Governor Gordon. His indispensability received such recognition, that, at the end of his five-year term, he was re-appointed for a further five years by Governor Havelock. However, he did not live long enough to fulfil that extended term.
 Wapchie Marikar Abdul Rahman (1868-1933) - He was nominated to the Legislative Council as the Muslim member in 1900
 Proctor Noordeen Hajiar Muhammad Abdul Cader (1879-1938) - He was one of the leading proctors of the day. He succeeded W.M.Abdul Rahman as the Muslim Member of the Legislative Council in 1915 and represented the Muslims in the Legislative Council for fifteen years.

State Council of Ceylon (1931–1947)
 Sir Mohamed Macan Markar (7 September 1877 - 10 May 1952) was a Sri Lankan, prominent colonial era legislator and businessmen. He was Minister of Home Affaires of the State Council, member of the Legislative Council and Senator
 Sir Razik Fareed OBE, JP, UM (29 December 1893  - 23 August 1984), was a Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) landed proprietor, politician, diplomat and philanthropist. He was the former Cabinet Minister of Trade, Senator, member of parliament and the state council. He had also served as Ceylon's High Commissioner to Pakistan.

House of Representatives (Ceylon) (1947–1972)
 Gate Mudaliyar M. S. Kariapper (1899- 1989) - He was a Sri Lankan politician and Member of Parliament. He was elected to Parliament at the 1947 parliamentary election to represent Kalmunai, as a United National Party candidate.
 Proctor Hameed Hussain Sheikh Ismail (19 May 1901 - 3 August 1974) - He was the 5th (First Muslim) Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (19 April 1956 – 5 December 1959). and first elected Member of Parliament in the first general election held for the Parliament of Independent Ceylon in 1947. Founder of Ceylon Baithul Mal Fund
  Mudaliyar Ahamedlebbe Sinnalebbe (b 1902)  - At the time of gaining political freedom the question of the national flag became an issue among the political leaders of the day. On Friday January 16, 1948 when the parliament met after lunch A. Sinnalebbe (Batticaloa) rose in parliament and moved, "That this house is of opinion that the Royal Standards of King Sri Wickrama Raja Sinha depicting a yellow lion passant holding a sword in its right paw on a red background, which was removed to England after the Convention of 1815, should once again be adopted as the official flag of free Lanka."
 Proctor M. M. Musthapa (1924-2000) - Minister of Fiance from 22 November 1959 to 5 December 1959 
 Proctor I. A. Cader (1917-1979) - Ibrahim Adaham Abdul Cader, known as I. A. Cader was the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (22 May 1970 – 18 May 1977)

National State Assembly of Sri Lanka (1972–1978)
 Dr Badi-ud-din Mahmud (23 June 1904 – 16 June 1997)  - He was a Sri Lankan politician. He served 10 years [(23 July 1960 – 28 May 1963) and (31 May 1970 – 23 July 1977)] as Minister of Education and also held the office of Minister of Health and Housing.

Parliament of Sri Lanka (1978–present)
 Deshamanya Abdul Bakeer Markar  - (12 May 1917 – 10 September 1997) was a Sri Lankan politician. He was the 12th (second Muslim) Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (21 September 1978 – 30 August 1983) and Governor of the Southern Province.
 Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed (10 April 1927 – 3 September 1999) - He was a Sri Lankan diplomat and prominent political figure. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka from 1977 to 1989; and from 1993 to 1994. In the intervening period he was Minister of Justice & Higher Education of Sri Lanka.
 M. H. Mohamed (15 June 1921 – 26 April 2016) - was a Sri Lankan politician. Mohamed served as the 14th (Third Muslim) Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka (9 March 1989 – 24 June 1994) as well as being a former member of Parliament and government minister. Mohamed was the first Muslim and Sri Lankan Moor to hold office as Mayor of Colombo
 M. H. M. Naina Marikar – He was the minister of Finance from 10 January 1988 to 3 January 1989
 Imthiaz Bakeer Markar - is a Sri Lankan politician. He is the current Chairman of the National Media Centre and former Cabinet Minister of Media, Postal and Telecommunications  from 2001 to 2004 and State Minister of Housing from 1989 to 1993. He was also a member of the parliament from the Kalutara District from 1989 to 2004. Bakeer Markar is a former Vice President of the United National Party (UNP).
 M. H. M. Ashraff - former Minister of Ports Development and Eastern Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
 Rauff Hakeem - leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
 Rishad Bathiudeen - Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka

Diplomats
 Izzeth Hussain - He was the first ever Muslim to join the Ceylon Overseas Service and the first ever Muslim career diplomat to rise to the highest position in the Foreign Service by holding the position of Director General of Foreign Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 1980s. He was also the Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States, based in Moscow.
 Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed - Sri Lankan diplomat and He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka 
 A.M.J. SADIQ - Sri Lankan Ambassador to The Kingdom of Netherlands
 Ferial Ashraff - Sri Lankan former Ambassador to Republic of Singapore
Omer Kamil - Sri Lankan former Ambassador to Iran, accredited to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
Faisz Musthapha - Sri Lankan former Ambassador to United Kingdom
Javed Yusuf - Sri Lankan former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 SACM Zuhyle - Former Ambassador to Kuwait

Civil Servants
 A. M. A. Azeez - first Moor civil servant; former GA of Eastern Province (present Amparai); late Zahira College (Colombo) Principal
 Deshamanya Dr. A. M. M. Sahabdeen - Ceylon Civil Service, Founder of the A.M.M. Sahabdeen Foundation, Former Chairman of Sifani Group of Companies, Former Director of National Savings Bank, Visiting Head of Department of Western Philosophy at the Vidyodaya University

Judges & Lawyers

Judges
 Justice Izadean Mohamed Ismail - He was the 127th [01st Moor (02nd Muslim)] Justices of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.  He was appointed on 1 January 1974 and held the office until 18 December 1981
 Justice Abdul Cader - He was the 141st [02nd Moor (03rd Muslim)] Justices of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.  He was appointed on 8 December 1982 and held the office until 28 May 1985
 Justice Ameer Ismail - He was appointed as a Justices of the Supreme Court in 1990 and held the office until 1994
Justice Saleem Marsoof PC - He was appointed as a Justices of the Supreme Court in 2005 and held the office until 2014
 Justice S. I. Imam - He was appointed as a Justices of the Supreme Court on 9 January 2009 and held the office until 20 February 2013

Lawyers
 Proctor Muhammad Cassim Siddi Lebbe (1838-1898) - First Muslim Lawyer in Sri Lanka, and National Hero.
 Advocate Abdul Caffoor Mohamad Ameer QC - He was the 32nd (First Muslim) Attorney General of Ceylon. He was appointed in 1966 and held the office until 1970.
 Advocate Shibly Aziz PC  - He was the 35th [01st Moor (02nd Muslim)] Solicitor General of Sri Lanka appointed in 1992 and held the office until 1992. He was the 37th (Second Muslim) Attorney General of Ceylon appointed in 1995 and held the office until 1996. President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka

Physicians

Allopathic medicine
 Dr Colenda Marikar Muhammad Zubair - First Muslim to qualify as a Doctor
 Dr S.M Jabir - Second Muslim to qualify as a Doctor
 Deshamanya Dr M. C. M. Kaleel (3 February 1900 – 19 October 1994) - He was a Ceylonese physician (Third Muslim to qualify as a Doctor), social worker and politician. 
 Dr A.C.M. Sulaiman - Founder of The Grandpass Maternity & Nursing Home (Sulaiman's Hospital) in 1942
 Deshamanya Professor A. H. Sheriffdeen - A Sri Lankan surgeon, academic and voluntary worker
Vidya Jyothi Professor Rezvi Sheriff - FRCP (Lon), FRCP (Edin), FRACP, FCCP, FSLCGP, FNASSL is a Sri Lankan academic and physician. He is the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine; Senior Professor of Medicine; Head of the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. He is also a Consultant Physician and Nephrologist National Hospital Sri Lanka.

Unani medicine
 Dr. A. L. M. M. Hameem \

Ayurveda medicine

Siddha medicine

Homeopathy medicine
 Dr. M. Abdul Latif

Accountants
 Alavi Ibrahim Macan-Markar (1919-1998) – Founder of A I Macan Markar & Co (Chartered Accountants). A I Macan Markar & Co (AIMM) was founded in 1946
 Abdul Rahman Muhammed Hathy (d:8 Oct 2002) - Senior Partner - BDO Burah Hathy and Co (Chartered Accountants). Burah Hathy & Co, was established in 1958
 S. M. Sabry (1940-2008) was the 35th (First Muslim) Auditor General of Sri Lanka. He was appointed on 26 January 1993 and held the office until 13 August 2000.
 Reyaz Mihular - He is the Managing Partner of KPMG in Sri Lanka and is a Board Member of KPMG’s Middle East & South Asia (MESA) Regional Cluster

Other Professionals
 Rushdi Jabir (1977) – Motivational Speaker, educated at Prince of Wales College and University of Southern Queensland (MBA). As a muslim, he has spoken/motivated the highest number of military staff (Army, Navy, Air Force, STF and Police) in Sri Lanka.

Engineers

Chemical engineer

Civil engineer
 S. Mufees R. Rafeek - Head of Projects Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd

Electrical engineer
 S. A. C.  M. Zubair

Mechanical engineer

Military

Sri Lanka Army
 Major General M. Gibri Muthalib (M.K.M. Family - Kandy)
 Major Muhammed Farook Muhammed Fikiri - He was killed in Action in Nineteen Ninety Seven (1997)
 Brigadier Asad Isadeen

Sri Lanka Air Force
 Flying Officer M. J. M. Aathque died in Aircraft Crash on 26 June 1998

Sri Lanka Navy
 Captain Akram Alavi - Navy Media Spokes Person

Sri Lanka Police
 Deputy inspector general of police (DIG) A. C. Abdu Gaffoor

Sports

Cricket
 Mohamed Abdal Hassain " Abu Fuard " (6 December 1936 – 28 July 2012) was a Sri Lankan cricketer who played first-class cricket for Ceylon from 1957 to 1970 and served for many years as a national cricket administrator
 Farveez Maharoof - Sri Lankan cricketer, in the 2004 World Cup in which he captained the Sri Lankan under 19 team

Rugby Football
 Inthisham Marikar - The former Trinity rugby ‘Lion’ led the 1996 double champions Kandy outfit. He represented the national sevens and fifteens teams from 1987 to 1992, and later again in 1996 and 1997. He led the national sevens team tour to Italy. Earlier in his career he led the Under-24 team in 1990 when they toured Hong Kong. He took up coaching in 2000 and has been accredited as level 3 coach by the World Rugby in 2018 becoming only the second Sri Lankan to receive that certificate
 Haris Omar - He led Trinity College Kandy in 1995, he also had the privilege of captaining the Sri Lanka Under 19 and Under 21 rugby teams. He led the Kandy Sports Club in 1999, and became the youngest captain. It was the first time that a father and son captained Kandy SC. (Isphan captained in 1975 and the son after 24 years)

Snooker
 Muhammad Junaid Muhammad Lafir (27 May 1930 - 26 April 1981) was a former World Champion snooker player from Sri Lanka. Lafir became the world champion in billiards in December 1973 World Amateur Billiards Championship by defeating Satish Mohan of India in the finals held in Mumbai. Lafir became the first Sri Lankan to win a billiards world championship. This was also the first time that a Sri Lankan has won a world championship title in any form of sports competition.

Musicians
 Mohideen Baig - popular Sri Lankan musician

See also
 Islam in Sri Lanka
 Sri Lankan Moors
 Sri Lankan Malays
 List of Sri Lankan Malays
 Indian Moors
 Memons in Sri Lanka

References

Moors
 
Moors
Moors