Muslim Nesan (مسليم نشن, Tamil: முஸ்லிம் நேசன், "The Muslim Friend") was an Arwi (Arabic Tamil) and English-language weekly newspaper, published from Colombo, British Ceylon between 1882 and 1889.[1][2][3][4][5] M. C. Siddi Lebbe was the publisher, owner and editor of Muslim Nesan.[2][4][6] He founded Muslim Nesan in Kandy in December 1882. The name of the publication was possibly inspired by the journal Ilankai Nesan ("Friend of the Ceylonese") of Arumuka Navalar.[5] In setting up the newspaper Cittilevvai was inspired by the Aligarh Movement, Navalar and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.[7] The first issue appeared on 21 December 1882.[1][2][3]
 1884 issue of Muslim Nesan | |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Editor | M. C. Siddi Lebbe |
| Founded | 21 December 1882 |
| Language | Arwi/English |
| Ceased publication | 1889 |
| Headquarters | Colombo, British Ceylon |
Muslim Nesan carried news from Muslim countries.[3] The newspaper purposefully sought to politicize the Muslim community.[8] Muslim Nesan had subscribers in Ceylon, South India, Penang and Singapore.[4] Muslim Nesan was, along with Sarvajana Nesan, one of the two most prominent Muslim newspapers in the Tamil-speaking world at the time.[6] Muslim Nesan had a network of correspondents in different parts of South-East Asia.[9] Material from Muslim Nesan was reproduced in other publications, such as Singai Nesan.[4]
Between 1883 and 1885 Muslim Nesan carried a series of articles on the history of Ceylonese Muslims, authored by Cittilevvai.[10] In the page of Muslim Nesan Cittilevvai argued for educational reforms in the Muslim community and reproduced articles by Syed Ahmad Khan, a North Indian social reformer. The newspaper also carried an interview with the exiled Egyptian nationalist leader Ahmed Orabi, soon after his arrival in Ceylon.[4] Cittilevvai also argued in Muslim Nesan that Muslims should adopt Arabic as their day-to-day language.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b ʻĀlim, Tayka Shuʻayb. Arabic, Arwi, and Persian in Sarandib and Tamil Nadu: A Study of the Contributions of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu to Arabic, Arwi, Persian, and Urdu Languages, Literature, and Education. Madras: Imāmul ʻArūs Trust for the Ministry of State for Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1993. p. 103
- ^ a b c Siddi Lebbe, M. C. Asrar-Ul Aalam = Mysteries of the Universe. Colombo: Moors Islamic Cultural Home, 1983. p. iii
- ^ a b c Shukri, M. A. M. Muslims of Sri Lanka: Avenues to Antiquity. Beruwala, Sri Lanka: Jamiah Naleemia Inst, 1986. p. 355
- ^ a b c d e Feener, R. Michael, and Terenjit Sevea. Islamic Connections: Muslim Societies in South and Southeast Asia. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2009. p. 60
- ^ a b Nuk̲amān̲, Em. Ē. Sri Lankan Muslims: Ethnic Identity Within Cultural Diversity. Colombo: International Centre for Ethnic Studies, 2007. p. 105
- ^ a b Heng, Derek Thiam Soon, and Syed Muhd. Khairudin Aljunied. Singapore in Global History. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2011. p. 74
- ^ Jayawardena, Visakha Kumari. The Rise of the Labor Movement in Ceylon. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1972. p. 42
- ^ Samiuddin, Abida, and R. Khanam. Muslim Feminism and Feminist Movement. Delhi: Global Vision Pub. House, 2002. p. 298
- ^ Heng, Derek Thiam Soon, and Syed Muhd. Khairudin Aljunied. Singapore in Global History. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2011. p. 82
- ^ Asian Studies, Vol. 19–24. Philippine Center for Advanced Studies, University of the Philippines System., 1981. p. 65
- ^ Agwan, A. R., and N. K. Singh. Encyclopaedia of the Holy Qurʼân Vol. 3 Vol. 3. Delhi: Global Vision Pub. House, 2000. p. 301