Meeran Masjids or Meera Masjids in Sri Lanka

You may observe Meeran Masjids or Meera Masjids in many places in Sri Lanka. Kandy Meera Makam Masjid is one of significant place among this list. There are many Meera Schools around Sri Lanka. Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali’s (Rahimahullah) (910 - 978 AH/1504-570 AD) influence is the main reason for Meeran Masjids or Meera Masjids around Sri Lanka. Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) was one the great scholar, thinker, spiritual personality (Sufi) and Freedom Fighter against Portuguese Occupiers. Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) lived in South India during 16th century. Sheikh Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) had a Great Force. This force fought against Portuguese. Around 404 faqirs (mendicants) were in this noble group; one of them was Shayk Sadaq lbrahim Maraikkayar (918-1008 AH/1512-1599 AD) of Kayalpattinam. Shayk Sadaq lbrahim Maraikkayar’s force burned many Portuguese Ships in a war against Portuguese in Tamil Nadu. Naval chief of Zamorin Kingdom (Zamorin of Calicut) Kunjali Marikkar was a student of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). King Mayadunna (Kingdom of Sitawaka) was an inspired person of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) came Sri Lanka for missionary works. Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) visited many places such as Kalmunai, Kandy, Matara and Dafthar Jailani. 

Three Students of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimullah) buried in Sri Lanka.

1. Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimahullah)

He was the Naval chief of Zamorin Kingdom (Zamorin of Calicut) of Kerala. Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimullah) came Sri Lanka on the request of King Mayadunna to fight against Portuguese. Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimullah) fell a martyr in a war against Portuguese and lies buried in Chilaw Malay Mosque.

2. Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah)

Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) who was student of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) who had accompanied his spiritual Master Nagore Sahul Hameed Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) to Sri Lanka stayed in Kandy. Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) was buried in Meera Maqam Masjid, Kandy. The name given to this masjid on the memory of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). 

3. Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah)

Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) was buried in Mankumban Masjid, Velanai, Jaffna. His tomb was reason to build masjid in this place later. Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) served as Khalifa of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). 

Article Written by - Fazhan Nawas

Translated by - Ifham Nawas