Tamil Muslim

Tamil MuslimsareTamilswho practiseIslam. The community is 10 million inIndia, primarily in the state ofTamil Naduwhere 90% of the Muslim community identified themselves as Tamil Muslims.In Tamil Nadu, the majority of Tamil-speaking Muslims belong to theRowthers Communitywhile other Muslims live in coastal Tamil Nadu. There is a substantial diaspora, particularly in Southeast Asia, which has seen their presence as early as the 13th century. In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to Western Europe, Persian Gulf and North America.
Though numerically nominal, the community is not homogeneous. Its origin is shaped by centuries  trade between theBay of Bengaland theMaritime Southeast Asia. By the 20th century, certain Tamil races began to be listed associal classesin official gazettes of different clans asRowther,Marakkar, andLabbay.
The Rowther community is a large population of muslim landowning community in thedeltaic districtsandSouthern districtsof Tamil Nadu. They were famous for their cavalry and horse trade. PoliticiansQuaid-e-Millath,Dewan Khan Bahadur Khalifulla Sahib(he was the first Muslim fromMadras Presidencygo to London for studies),Karim Ghaniveteran freedom fighter and a close associate ofNetaji Subash Chandra Bose, First woman judge of Supreme court of IndiaFathima Beevi, Poets likeUmaru Pulavar,Kunangudi Masthan Sahib, Fourth NakkeerarGulam Kadir Navalar,Dawood Shahall are from Rowther Community. Rowthers constitute large part of the multi-ethnic Tamil Muslim community.Ravuttars have also been found as Tamilpolygars,zamindarsand chieftains from the 16th to 18th centuries.Traditionally, they were known asMaravars, but after the arrival of Islam, they transformed into horseback warriors, hence adopting the Tamil name Rowther. The traditional homelands of the Rowthers were in the interior of SouthTamilakam.
TheMarakkarsect has been a maritime trading community in thesouthern districtsof Tamil Nadu. One notable sea-faring merchant, as recorded in theChronicles of Thondaiman, was Periya Thambi Nainar Marakkayar who is widely believed to be the first rupee millionaire. His son Seethakaathi, an altruist.B. S. Abdur Rahmanwas the first rupee billionaire Marakkayar. The 11th president of IndiaA. P. J. Abdul Kalamwas also born in Marakkayar fisherman family.
Similar to the JewishLevite, the Labbay sect mainly engages in religious scholarship and avoids entrepreneurial activities.
In Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Muslim community is widely recognized for its diverse economic contributions, excelling in roles as rentiers, entrepreneurs, gemstone jewelers, and money changers. Notably, their economic activities have positioned them with GDP per capita incomes that surpass the state average. This socio-economic profile underscores the community's significant role in shaping the economic landscape of Tamil Nadu.
As a mark of modesty, women used to traditionally wear whitethuppattiwhich is draped over their body on top of thesaree, only revealing their face. However, due to cultural exchange and evolving trends, nowadays, most women wear anAbaya, which is usually black in color, paired with aheadscarf, as Purdah.
Many visitDargahsandMasjidson major life milestones like births, marriages and deathsand recitemawlid.
Rowther weddings have retained several Rajput traditions across generations like grooms going on ahorsebackprocession. Surnames (identifying caste or tribe like Bohra, Bukhari, Chishti, Khan, Syed, Sahib, Shah, etc.) were positively discouraged by the community to avoid sectarianism in line withDravidian reform movementof the 20th century.
Music involves distinctively the Turkishdafand otherpercussion instruments.
Cuisine is a tell-tale syncretic mixture of Tamil and other Asian recipes.
Biriyani, especially the ones made out ofmutton, is the favorite in special occasions, particularly during wedding banquets and during Eid festivities. It is made either out ofBasmatirice or by Jeeraga Samba rice. In a typical Tamil Muslim Wedding, a Mutton Biryani is served, along withRaitha, Brinjal Chutney,Chicken 65, with desserts usually being either Bread Halwa (which is a molten variant of the HyderabadiDouble ka Meethaand the North Indian and PakistaniShahi Tukda) orRava Kesari, along withSweet Beeda.Phirniand'Inippu Soru'while rarer, are also served as desserts in some weddings.
Ghee rice, served usually with aDalchaor any other meat-basedgravyis also a sought-after dish, usually prepared duringJummahor during other special occasions. In Deltaic Regions, for wedding ceremonies, a dish by the name of 'Anju Kari Soru' (roughly translates to 'Five Gravy Rice') is served. This spread includes Ghee rice,Dalcha, a Chicken-based gravy ('aanam' in Tamil), a Mutton-based gravy, a stir-fry made out of Mutton Liver, and a jam and banana combo mixed along with the rice as dessert. However, due to the rise of popularity in Biryani, this has increasingly become a rare spread.
During the month of Ramadan, the 'Nonbu Kanji' is a staple for breaking the fast inIftar, served for free in almost every masjid in the state. Other snacks and delicacies that are popular during this month areVadai,Samosa,Sharbath-based beverages, and a jelly-like dessert made out ofAgar-Agar('China Grass', called'Kadal Paasi' in Tamil) and milk.
Desserts include theDumroot, a semolina ('rava' in Tamil) ghee cake with soft center and hard crust at the top, is popular in the deltaic households.Watlappam, is another dessert, a pudding, popular in Marakkayer households.Dodolis another halwa-based dessert, originally persumed to have come from Southeast Asia. Along with Bread Halwa,Rava Kesari,Phirni,Inippu Soru, andPayasammade out ofVermicelli.
Other delicacies include,IdiyappamandParotta, both of which are usually served with gravies (usually meat-based), usually had for either breakfast or for dinner.Chicken 65, a popular fried starter, usually had with Biryani, is widely believed to have been invented by Buhari Hotel (Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002), whose founder was from Tirunelveli.MiniSamosas, stuffed with minced (kheema) meat are also popular snack items.Murtabakis a meat-based stuffed parotta dish, originally speculated to have been brought from Yemen, and which eventually spread to South East Asian countries.
During Eid, breakfast usually includesIdliorIdiyappamwith a mutton gravy, andpayasam.
Culture and literature are heavily influenced by theQadiriflavour ofSufism. Their domain range from mystical to medical, from fictional to political, from philosophical to legal and spiritual.
The earliest literary works in the community could be traced toPalsanthmalai, a work of eight stanzas written in the 13th century.In 1572, Seyku Issaku, better known asVanna Parimala Pulavar, publishedAayira Masala Venru Vazhankum Adisaya Puranamdetailing the Islamic principles and beliefs in aFAQformat. In 1592,Aali Pulavarwrote theMikurasu Malai. The epicSeera PuranambyUmaru Pulavaris dated to the 17th centuryand still considered as the crowning achievement in canonical literature.Other significant works of 17th century includeThiruneri Neethamby Sufi master Pir Mohammad,Kanakabhisheka Malaiby Seyku Nainar (aliasKanakavirayar),Tirumana KatchibySekathi Nainarand the Iraqi war balladSackoon Pataippor.
Nevertheless, an independent 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 andlithographictechnologies.The world's first Tamil Islamic Literature Conference was held inTrichyin 1973. In the early 2000s, the Department of Tamil Islamic Literature was set up in theUniversity of Madras.Modern notable writers includeMu. MethaandPavalar Inqulab,
Kalifulla Shahibserved as the minister for public works in the Cabinet of Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu in 1937. He was sympathetic to the cause ofPeriyar E. V. Ramasamyand his Self-Respect Movement. He spoke against the introduction of compulsory Hindi classes in the Madras legislature and participated in the anti-Hindi agitations. He was a lawyer by profession and was known by the honorificsKhan Bahadur. He became theDewanof Pudukottai after withdrawal from political work.Mohammad Usmanwas the most prominent among the early political leaders of the community. In 1930,Jamal Mohammad Rowtherbecame the president of the Madras Presidency Muslim League.Yakub Hasan Saitserved as a minister in the Rajaji administration.Karim Ghani, veteran freedom fighter and a close associate of Subash Chandra Bose, who hailed fromIlayangudi, served as Information Minister in Netaji ministry during the 1930s.
Since the late 20th century, politicians likeMuhammad Ismail Rowther(founder ofIndian Union Muslim League) andDawood Shahadvocated Tamil to be made an official language of India due to its antiquity in parliamentary debatesThe community was united in a single political party underQuaid-e-Millathpresidency for 27 years keeping rabble-rousers away until his death in 1972. His support was invaluable for ruling parties in the state, as well as in the Centre. He was instrumental in framing and obtaining the minority status and privileges for minorities in India thus safeguarding theConstitution of India. His newspaperUrimaikkuralwas a very popular daily.
S. M. Muhammed Sheriffwas the first elected IUML MP from Tamil Nadu. He produced clear documentary evidence thatKachchatheevubelonged to India. Duringthe Emergency, he was the advisor to the Governor.M. M. Ismailbecame Chief Justice in 1979 and was sworn in as Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu in 1980. AsKamban Kazhagampresident, he organized literary festivals, that focused on classical Tamil literature. Justice S. A. Kader who was the Judge of Madras High Court during 1983–89 became the President of Tamil Nadu State Government Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on retirement.In the early 1990s, theIndian National Leaguesplit from the IUML.The non-denominationalsocial reformmovements (calledGhair Muqallid) began to take the front stage (to fight superstition creep) spearheaded byP. Jainulabdeenfurther weakening the IUML and causing unrest among community elders who preferredstatus quo. Nevertheless, theTamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazaghamwas constituted in 1995. This non-profit organization quickly became popular and assertive among theworking classyouth.
In 2009, theManithaneya Makkal Katchi, the political arm of TMMK was formed. The TMMK itself split to form the break-away organisationTamil Nadu Thowheed Jamathsoon. In 2011, MMK won 2 of 3 contested Assembly seatsviz.Ambur (A. Aslam Basha) and Ramanathapuram (M. H. Jawahirullah). Broadly speaking, the community tends to supportlaissez faireandfree trade; and have been unimpressed byCommunismas apublic policythough fringe groups often called foraffirmative actionin the last quarter of the 20th century.New generation of leaders like Daud Sharifa Khanum have been active in pioneering social reforms like independent mosques for women.MLAs and MPs such asA. Anwar Rhazza,J. M. Aaroon Rashid, Abdul Rahman, Jinna, Khaleelur Rahman,S. N. M. Ubayadullah, Hassan Ali andT. P. M. Mohideen Khanare found across all major Dravidian political parties likeDMK,DMDKandAIADMK, as well as national parties like theINC.