Quick answer
The best places to see Sri Lanka's Muslim heritage are Beruwala, where Arab traders are said to have first settled, and its Kechimalai mosque; Colombo's Pettah, with the red-and-white Jami ul-Alfar mosque; Slave Island, the heart of the Malay community; Galle Fort's Meeran mosque; Kattankudy on the east coast; the Daftar Jailani cave shrine near Balangoda; and Adam's Peak, climbed by Ibn Battuta in the fourteenth century.
Key takeaways
- Sri Lanka's Muslims include Moors, descended from traders, and Malays.
- Arab traders visited the island for centuries before Islam.
- Beruwala is traditionally said to be the first Muslim settlement.
- Ibn Battuta visited and climbed Adam's Peak in the fourteenth century.
- Visitors are welcome at many mosques outside prayer times, with modest dress.
A long history of trade
Arab and Persian traders sailed to Sri Lanka for spices, gems and pearls long before Islam, and after its rise many settled on the coasts, marrying locally. Their descendants, known as Moors, became merchants, gem traders and farmers across the island.
The Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta visited in the fourteenth century, climbed Adam's Peak and described the island's Muslim communities. Later, under the Dutch, Malays were brought from the Indonesian archipelago as soldiers and workers, forming a distinct community with its own language and food.
Today Muslims live throughout Sri Lanka, with large communities on the east coast, in Colombo and in towns such as Beruwala, Galle and Akurana.
- →Moors: descended from traders.
- →Malays: from the Dutch era.
- →Ibn Battuta: a fourteenth-century visitor.
Beruwala and Colombo
Beruwala, on the west coast, is traditionally where Arab traders first settled. The Kechimalai mosque, on a headland above the harbour, is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka and is a site of pilgrimage. The town's gem traders continue a long tradition.
In Colombo, the Jami ul-Alfar mosque in Pettah, with its striking red-and-white brick pattern, is one of the city's landmarks, built in the early twentieth century. Pettah's bazaars, many run by Muslim traders, sell spices, textiles and gems.
Slave Island, despite its name, is the historic heart of Colombo's Malay community, with mosques, small eateries and a fading colonial streetscape.
Inland, the hill town of Akurana, between Kandy and Matale, has one of the largest Muslim communities in the central hills, with busy markets and mosques along the main road. Kandy itself has long-established Muslim traders whose shops line the streets near the market.
- →Kechimalai mosque: on the headland.
- →The Red Mosque in Pettah.
- →Slave Island's Malay streets.
Galle and the south
Galle Fort's Meeran mosque, white and Baroque-looking from the outside, serves the fort's long-established Muslim community. Many of the fort's gem and antique shops are run by Muslim families whose ancestors traded here for generations.
The south coast has other old Muslim communities, in Weligama, Matara and Hambantota, where fishing, trade and boat building have shaped town life for centuries.
- →Galle Fort: Meeran mosque.
- →Gem shops run by old families.
- →Weligama and Hambantota communities.
Kattankudy and the east coast
Kattankudy, south of Batticaloa, is one of the most densely populated Muslim towns in Sri Lanka, with many mosques, busy markets and a distinctive local culture. Visitors are few, so a respectful visit with a local guide is the best approach.
Other east coast towns, including Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu and parts of Trincomalee, have large Muslim communities. The coast's mix of Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala towns gives the region its character.
Lankan Stays & Trails can include Muslim heritage stops on east coast routes, with guides who explain the community's history.
- →Kattankudy: mosques and markets.
- →Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu.
- →Local guides help.
Daftar Jailani and Adam's Peak
Daftar Jailani, a cave shrine near Balangoda, is linked to the Sufi saint Abdul Qadir Jilani and draws Muslim pilgrims, especially during its annual festival. It sits on a ridge with views over the hills.
Adam's Peak is sacred to Muslims as the place where Adam first set foot on Earth after leaving paradise. Ibn Battuta described the climb, and Muslim pilgrims still join Buddhists, Hindus and Christians on the path.
Visiting mosques respectfully
Many mosques welcome visitors outside prayer times, especially on guided visits. Dress modestly, covering arms and legs; women should cover their hair. Remove shoes before entering, and avoid Friday midday prayers.
Ask before photographing people, and keep voices low. Food is part of the heritage too: try Malay pickle, biryani, watalappan and short eats in Colombo's Muslim eateries.
- →Avoid Friday midday prayers.
- →Cover arms, legs and hair.
- →Try Malay pickle and watalappan.
Frequently asked questions
When did Islam come to Sri Lanka?
Islam reached Sri Lanka through Arab traders, probably from the seventh or eighth century onwards. Arab and Persian traders had visited the island for centuries before, and many settled on the coasts, forming the ancestors of Sri Lanka's Moors.
Can non-Muslims visit mosques in Sri Lanka?
Non-Muslims can visit many mosques in Sri Lanka outside prayer times. Dress modestly, covering arms and legs, and women should cover their hair. Remove shoes, keep quiet and avoid Friday midday prayers. A local guide helps.
What is the Red Mosque in Colombo?
The Red Mosque, Jami ul-Alfar, is a mosque in Colombo's Pettah district, famous for its red-and-white brick pattern. Built in the early twentieth century, it is one of the city's landmarks. Visitors are usually welcome outside prayer times.
Who are the Sri Lankan Malays?
Sri Lankan Malays are a Muslim community descended mainly from people brought from the Indonesian archipelago by the Dutch as soldiers and workers. They have their own language, food and traditions, and Colombo's Slave Island is their historic centre.
What is Kechimalai mosque?
Kechimalai mosque in Beruwala, on a headland above the harbour, is one of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka. Beruwala is traditionally where Arab traders first settled. The mosque is an important pilgrimage site, especially during festivals.
Did Ibn Battuta visit Sri Lanka?
Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan traveller, visited Sri Lanka in the fourteenth century. He climbed Adam's Peak, described the island's rulers and Muslim communities and wrote about its gems and cinnamon in his famous travel account.
What Muslim dishes should I try in Sri Lanka?
Try biryani, often served at weddings and festivals, Malay pickle, a sweet and sour relish of dates and vegetables, watalappan, a spiced coconut and jaggery custard, and short eats such as samosas and rolls. Colombo's Pettah and Slave Island have many Muslim eateries.