While the proposed burqa ban threatens to take away the fundamental rights of some Muslim women, the true victim of this debate has been women’s rights activists. By actively supporting this ban it has become obvious that these activists are hypocrites whose sole purpose is to oppress non-western women, and impose foreign sensibilities on them through any means possible, even if that means becoming a hypocrite to the very principles of freedom that they so passionately keep blabbing about in the media.

By actively supporting this ban it has become obvious that these [women's rights] activists are hypocrites whose sole purpose is to oppress non-western women...

Excuses such as difficulty in communicating, and security concerns are weak at best, and the Covid-19 pandemic with its compulsory face mask requirement has further shown that the reasons presented to ban the burqa are without a shred of merit. It is no wonder that many believe the pandemic is an act of God, that has rendered the case against the burqa, completely void. Many non-Muslims have now come to the conclusion that face coverings of any kind are not the “great barrier” that these women’s rights activists claim it to be. The article that appears here, discusses this to great merit.

...the Covid-19 pandemic with its compulsory face mask requirement has further shown that the reasons presented to ban the burqa are without a shred of merit.

The burqa maybe worn by only a few women, but defending their right to do so is the responsibility of our entire community and the greater country. If we fail to secure the rights of these women, the threat to our rights in the future will be overwhelming. In addition, we must consider the threat posed to women by these women’s rights groups, and ensure that these groups respect the opinion of the women they claim to represent without allowing them to hijack the voice of the women folk to further their agenda.

If we fail to secure the rights of these women, the threat to our rights in the future will be overwhelming.

The United Nations was formed to coordinate politics, human rights and economic issues between the nations of the world. It has failed in all of this. The cremation of Muslim COVID-19 patients, and the present laws that make cremation compulsory are a blatant violation of human rights, and yet the United Nations is absent and quite frankly useless.

However, this organization is exceptionally busy in meddling with people’s cultures and has now become an agent in westernizing the world. They have kept up constant pressure on our Minister of Women’s and Children’s affairs to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), and implement a minimum age of marriage chosen by western nations. Further, they are holding back loans until the Minister achieves this for them.

This is the ugly face of the United Nations. Despite the pledge to serve its member citizens, it has now become an organization that is imposing its own sensibilities, not in politics or human rights, but in the personal affairs of people. It has started to actively support governments to manipulate communities to adopt western sensibilities, with loans, which can be seen as bribes, to sweeten the deal.

The Muslim Marriage and Divorce (MMDA) Act needs reform, but not the reform that is being proposed by the United Nations or the government which is desperately trying to unlock the promised loans. The change should be led, and only led by the Muslim community to whom the MMDA applies to, and not some quack pot “Women’s issues experts” from far away. This is the primary reason that many Muslims are against amending this important piece of legislation any time soon.

By motivating a government to go against the wishes of its people, the UN has sadly betrayed us all!

Assalamu alaikum, ya nesan!

M.C. Siddhi Lebbe is a beloved national hero, and father to the Saracen. The esteemed reader can enjoy a summarized biography of the man in our post titled "181st birth anniversary of our national hero, M.C. Siddi Lebbe" by Fazli Sameer; while this post will discuss his message, which is as relevant today as it was all those years ago. Much of Siddhi Lebbe’s thoughts and advice are documented in the Muslim Nesan (مسليم نشن), his weekly publication and the inspiration for the Serendib Nesan. Ibn Serendib highly recommends giving the Muslim Nesan a read, if a copy is accessible.


The importance of education is probably the most prominent subject in Siddhi Lebbe’s message. He stressed the need to educate the Saracen, and backed up his call by founding numerous schools, of which, Zahira College is the most prominent. An educated population is not only financially stable, but resilient to outside interference. Education is essential in understanding the complex world we live in, and in responding to the numerous challenges that we face. In the information age, the biggest threat to our community is misguidance. Leading people astray is such a destructive tool that it is the Shaithan’s favorite and therefore creating a community that can act intelligently is of utmost importance.

The importance of education is probably the most prominent subject ...

The lack of penmanship, and media publications within our community is a large void, something Siddhi Lebbe tried to fill with the publication of the “Muslim Nesan”. The Saraceni have firsthand experience on how mainstream media in this country, pervasively neglected our side of the story, and proceeded to add insult to injury during the aftermath of April’s tragedy. The Saraceni were unable to counter them, and the mis-informers took the opportunity to highjack our voice. Therefore, in a world where public opinion is governed by media, the Saraceni should invest in this area, so our community can stand up for itself. Media is an important tool to keep our people educated and informed of current affairs, so they are better prepared for any eventuality.

The Saraceni have firsthand experience on how mainstream media in this country, pervasively neglected our side of the story ...

Siddhi Lebbe urged the Saracen to hold on to their culture, and as a part of that learn and use Arabic more frequently. Our culture is the safety net for our people, born and unborn. It is a pillar of our identity, which is key to our survival in this country. More than a century ago, Siddhi Lebbe saw a threat to the Arabic language, and how people will try to oppose it, by virtue that the Saracen do not speak it. That threat has been realized today, as the some have called for the removal of all Arabic signage. At present this is implemented only for street names, but their call is general, and in time it will extend to even private usage of the Arabic language if we continue the way we are. If the Arabic language is demonized in this way, the Al-Quran will be the next target, and that will be catastrophic to our religion.

... Siddhi Lebbe saw a threat to the Arabic language, and how people will try to oppose it, by virtue that the Saracen do not speak it. 

Through middle-eastern employment, it is a fact, that more none Muslims know Arabic than the Saraceni, and this is indeed a sad statistic. Therefore, let us strive to learn this language, because it is a beautiful one, and has many commercial and international benefits. Our supporters are primarily in the Arabic speaking world, and even today it is they that have sent a powerful message, calling for our safety. Events in that part of the world directly, and indirectly affect the Saraceni, and therefore the ability to communicate with the middle east, and understand information from that region is very important. Learning Arabic has never been as easy as it is today, and therefor let us take advantage of it.

Events in that part of the world [middle east] directly, and indirectly affect the Saraceni, and therefore the ability to communicate with the middle east, and understand information from that region is very important. 

During Siddhi Lebbe’s time, there was no representation of our people in the Legislative Council of Ceylon, and Siddhi Lebbe agitated quite forcefully for politicians to come forward, because he felt the disadvantages very clearly. Without representation in the ruling bodies of the country, we are cattle waiting for slaughter. Even today, those that oppose us target our representatives, and we are in a precarious situation of having our community’s leaders expelled from the decision-making process. Therefore, we must secure what Siddhi Lebbe fought to achieve, and stand by our leaders, as they stand up for our rights. Politics and internal disputes can be attended to later.

Without representation in the ruling bodies of the country, we are cattle waiting for slaughter.

Finally, Ibn Serendib would like to draw his reader’s attention to Siddhi Lebbe’s most pervasive message, which is the message of unity and togetherness. We are but a few and our community is but small. We need each and everyone we have, in order to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other communities in this nation. If we scatter, our strength will be lost, and along with that so will our freedoms and our rights, and we will leave our future generations vulnerable to untold exploitations. Therefore, let us resolve to get closer to one another, understand each other and ultimately support ourselves. The phrase “Api wenuwen api” is something that has worked for other communities, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t work for us.

May Allah grant our noble hero Janath-ul-Firdous, and grant the Saraceni prosperity!

Assalamu alaikum, ya nesan!

There was a time when the sun never set on the British empire. So vast were their holdings that it spanned from the orient to the Americas. But we all know the ways of the Sun, and eventually that Sun did set, and the empire went away. But jolly old Britain is still around, where many who attempted a similar enterprise, fell dramatically when their empire was lost. Many things can be credited for this, but Ibn Serendib feels that the deep appreciation the British have for their culture, history and legacy should get a lion’s share of that credit. It is an admirable trait, and what makes Britain, “Great Britain”.


A casual stroll through the streets of this land reveals how much of history is actually preserved, and in plain view. Historical sites are not relics, but re-purposed and conserved, as the British know all too well, that things without utility, no matter how much they are protected will decay. The collection of historical preservation is not limited to the flattering bits from the glory days, but include representation from the not so flattering times, of starvation, upheaval, and turmoil. For the British, those are the most important bits, because there is nothing preventing those times from returning, and if and when they do, future generations have the benefit of past experience.

... re-purposed and conserved, as the British know all too well, that things without utility, no matter how much they are protected will decay.

Valuing antiquities is not just a government endeavor in this great country, it is built in to the DNA of its people. From the Queen that reigns from her palace that is several centuries old, to the bar-maid that proudly displays the hairpin she inherited from her grandmother, preservation and conservation of this land’s history is truly a private endeavor. Much of the work done is through societies and trusts, by ordinary citizens, and outweigh the governments involvement by miles. This is the key, believes Ibn Serendib, as the ordinary man’s passion is far more effective than any government's planning.

... the ordinary man’s passion is far more effective than any governments planning.

When prosperity comes calling, it is easy to forget our past, our traditions and our history. Many forsake it for the new and the modern. But these people are not the brightest fish in the pond. Time travels in circles, and what goes around comes around, and for those that preserve tokens from their past, while embracing the new, prosperity is perpetual. When Ibn Serendib says the past, it does not necessarily have to be relics. The documents your grandparents left behind, photos and mementos, and stories and advice from your own ancestors, is good place to start.

... or those that preserve tokens from their past, while embracing the new, prosperity is perpetual.

Assalamu alaikum, ya nesan!

In his article titled “The burka may have bigger enemies than you thought”, Ibn Serendib discussed the possibility of international motivations in the recent terrorist attacks. In this post, Ibn Serendib would like to discuss the current situation of our Saraceni, and what we need to think about, going forward, for the sake of our beloved children, born and unborn.


In the day’s bygone, the Saraceni had only the ruling majority to manage, and that is a great success story. However, post 2004 even the ruling majority is ruled by international forces, centered in the West, and within the folds of the United Nations (UN). The rulers are being controlled by funding and financial aid, and they need to comply in order to ensure that our country can be sustained. Conditions for receiving this aid, have begun to include social policy, and the recent influx of aid into the country immediately after 21st April 2019, though officially publicized as assistance to fight terrorism, could well have been payment for getting the burka banned.

... post 2004 even the ruling majority is ruled by international forces, centered in the West, and within the folds of the United Nations (UN).

The rulers, and the majority in this country have been at peace with the Saraceni for a very long time, and there is no reason for hostilities. Telling the Saraceni what to do with regard to culture and social aspects make the rulers and the majority extremely uncomfortable, as they fear antagonizing not just the Saraceni but also the greater Islamic world which they depend on. However, when the Saraceni get in the way of financial aid and international funding, the rulers are put under pressure, and they tend to vent it in crude and amateur ways, which may have manifested in the form of tension and unrest.

Telling the Saraceni what to do with regard to culture and social aspects make the rulers and the majority extremely uncomfortable, as they fear antagonizing not just the Saraceni but also the greater Islamic world

The Saraceni are no more a fledgling community anymore. They have grown larger and stronger, and are now key players in the country. Therefore, they should start acting like “the big boys” that they have become, and preempt intervention by the rulers, by being sensitive to international pressure and taking steps to align themselves with important developments, before the rulers are required to step in. In this way we will become an asset to the country, and will be able to retain greater freedoms than we could otherwise.

In order to achieve preemption to government intervention, the Saraceni need to start thinking about a suitable social and cultural leadership structure, which can affect community wide maneuvering. For example, as the burka began to run shy of its welcome, such a leadership would have been invaluable to convince those that patronized the burka, to give it a rest, and thus avoided a ban. The burka could be resurrected at a much later, more conducive time. Many Saraceni expect this from our infamous mufti; you know, the one that wants to kiss the Cardinal. This is a natural choice as social and cultural leadership in other communities are affected by similar people, such as the mahanayakes, cardinals etc. However, mixing religious leadership with social and cultural leadership is not ideal, and concentrates too much power in a single individual, making him a bad religious leader, or a bad social leader or even both.

... the Saraceni need to start thinking about a suitable social and cultural leadership structure, which can affect community wide maneuvering.

Politicians have been the traditional place for social leadership in bygone days. But we were small then, and we are not small anymore. Unlike the good old days, when the likes of the erudite and eloquent M.C. Siddhi Lebbe and the Honorable Sir Razik Fareed roamed this earth straddling bother political and social leadership in our community, our present politicians do not have the same skill. Therefore, can we depend on them for this task?

As a matter of fact, this exact problem concerned the Late Sir Razik, and was one of the reasons he established the All Ceylon Moor Association (ACMA), to create a forum from within which social and cultural leaders can emerge. However, as Ibn Serendib has been told time and time again by those that have tried to gain membership, that this organization has turned into a closed-up family affair, whose predominant activities are historical, rather than progressive. It’s president, an esteemed professor from amongst the Saracen, should have been retired a long time ago. Its general secretary, a medical doctor, is barely concerned about new members or increasing the envelope of this organization, as much as he is with his profession. The ACMA is in dire need of new blood. Will they rise to this challenge?

Therefore, how can we affect social and cultural leadership? Where will the next M.C. Siddhi Lebbe come from? Will he (or she) come at all? These are important questions that Ibn Serendib wishes to pose for esteemed consideration of his readers.

May Allah guide them in their thinking! Ameen!

Raw Jakfruit or “Polos” as it is known in Sinhalese is an excellent source of dietary fiber. “Polos” helps regulate cholesterol, and prevents colon cancer in addition to improving digestion. It has been consumed in our blessed island, since antiquity. The flesh of the raw fruit must be marinated with spices like chili powder, pepper, coriander and turmeric, and cooked until tender, and it makes a fine accompaniment for red rice.

Cleaning the raw fruit is messy due to the excessive amount of latex it contains. The latex is abundant just under the skin, and can be found throughout the fruit. It is very sticky and readily adheres to the hands of the handler. The latex is nature’s way of protecting the young fruit from insect attacks, and deters other animals from making a meal of it before it is ripe.

Consuming uncooked “Polos” is not recommended for people who have latex allergies. So if you show a reaction to wearing rubber slippers, then steer clear of prepping the fruit with your bare hands, and avoid consuming it before it has been cooked.

Assalamu Alaikum Ya Nesan!

Happy Chinese New Year! February 16th 2018 marks the beginning of the year 4716 according to the Chinese calendar. The Chinese follow a lunisolar calendar which is somewhat like the Hijiri Calendar, and therefore the Chinese New Year does not have a fixed day in the Gregorian calendar (Western calendar) we commonly use.

If you meet a Chinese person today you can wish him or her by saying “新年快乐  (Xīn nián kuài lè)“ which means “Happy New Year”. You may not understand the reply if you don’t know Chinese, but just smile and nod politely.

The Chinese denote each year with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. It is believed that a child born in a particular year will have personal qualities associated with the assigned animal. This year is the “Year of the Dog”. Fun fact, Ibn Serendib is born in the year of the Pig.

Celebrations on this day involve lots and lots of fire crackers, as the Chinese believe the sound chases away the evil. Chinese families will have reunion dinners, so that they can meet and greet one another, and older individuals will give the younger ones money in red envelopes much like the “Peranaal Shalli” given to the little Saraceni on Eid-Ul-Fithr.

Xīn nián kuài lè!

Assalamu Alaikum Ya Nesan!

University of Al Quaraouiyine (جامعة القرويين), situated in Fez, Morocco has been accepted by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records, as the oldest continually operating, degree awarding university in the world. It was founded by Fatima Al-Fihri, in 859 A.D, using the vast inheritance she received upon her father’s death.



Historically the university offered studies in grammar, rhetoric, logic, medicine, mathematics, astronomy alongside Qur'an and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), but today the university offers degree courses only in Islamic Law, Arabic Studies and Theology. In order to gain entry into the university a prospective scholar should have memorized the Quran, as well as several other texts on Arabic and Maliki Law, and demonstrate a good knowledge of classical Arabic.

Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya, was the daughter of Muhammad Al-Fihri, a wealthy merchant that migrated from Qayrawan, Tunisia to Fez, Morocco. She was part of a larger migration of people from Qayrawan that migrated to Fez to take advantage of the city’s economic prosperity during the early 9th century. When Muhammad Al-Fihri died he left his great fortune to his two daughters, Fatima and Mariam. Fatima dedicated a part of her wealth to founding the University of Al Quaraouiyine, and her sister Mariam dedicated a part of her inheritance towards the Al-Andalus Mosque, also in Fez.

The university received the patronage of many sultans of the region. The universities library was first built by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan Faris in 1349, and contains many important manuscripts including volumes from the famous Al-Muwatta of Malik written on gazelle parchment, the Sirat Ibn Ishaq, a copy of the Qur'an given by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in 1602, and the original copy of Ibn Khaldun's book Al-'Ibar.

The university’s mosque has evolved over 1000 years with the first expansion undertaken in 956, by Umayyad Caliph of Córdoba, Abd-ar-Rahman III, and today it is the largest mosque in Africa, with a capacity for 22,000 worshippers. There is a special room in the mosque known as the Dar al-Muwaqqit, where the times of prayer are established.

Famous alumna of the university includes Abu Imran al-Fasi, Mohammed Ibn Rushayd, Moḥammed ibn al-Haj al-Abdari al-Fasi, Al-Idrissi, Ibn Al-Arabi, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Khatib, Al-Bitruji (known as Alpetragius to the Greeks), Ibn Hirzihim, Al-Bannani, Al-Wazzan and Pope Sylvester II. Among its famous modern day alumna is Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din bin Abdil-Qadir Al-Hilali who translated Sahih Al-Buhari, and the Quran to the English language, the later in collaboration with the famous Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan.

May Allah open the path of knowledge to all!

Assalamu Alaikum Ya Nesan!

CeylonMosque.LK launched by the Center for Islamic Studies in Colombo has undertaken a splendid initiative to conduct tours of mosques in the island, as a foreign visitor to Sri Lanka are only exposed to famous temples and is often unaware of the long standing Islamic heritage of our country.

Screen shot of the website at http://ceylonmosque.lk/ on 5th February 2018

This program is not only aimed at tourists but non Muslim locals as well. Members of non Muslim communities can register for a tour at a mosque and educate themselves on what actually happens within it. The organizers hope that when non Muslims visit these mosques they can get a better understanding of Islamic prayer, and dispel misconceptions arising from propaganda against the Muslims. Ibn Serendib is unsure how effective this kind of program will be in dispelling racially motivated propaganda, but is excited about the exposure it will bring Islam in the tourism industry.

May Allah grant them success!

Assalamu Alaikum Ya Nesan!

Sri Lanka stands accused of discrimination against women when purchasing alcohol. Women’s rights people are up in arms about this, and demand that women too be given the opportunity at alcoholism, liver disease and life ruining addiction. Just as much as this issue is one of gender equality, it is also one of women versus women’s right groups, as a clash of perspective ensues.

The common women, who make up the majority of the nation, have always seen the ban on women purchasing alcohol a privilege, as something that makes them special and protected. “We don’t care what the men are doing, arrakku is not for us …” says Kusumalatha with obvious pride at the sanity of women. Actress Ruwanthi Mangala who is planning on contesting in the Kaduwela Electorate adds “I know there are many so-called women’s organizations that are fighting against the ban. But, we have to understand that there are do’s for women and at the same time there are also limits and don’t s” during an interview with a local newspaper. As the debate on legalizing alcohol purchase for women continues, the blessed mothers of this land are making a poignant realization, that instead of men telling them what to do, Women’s rights organizations will tell them what to do. And in this case these organizations are telling women that if the men are jumping into the well, women also must jump into the well.

Women have long sort for independence from the corrosive and self-destructive behavior of men, with laws that cater to them and their sensibilities. The fact that Women’s rights organizations are the very ones standing in their way has served to infuriate them. “When they say they are giving us a voice, they are actually putting words into our mouths …” says Chooti Saracen’s school teacher with obvious disgust, “… now we will have to deal with school girls ruining their lives with this, like as if there aren’t enough ways already”. And that is how the cookie crumbles.

President Maithripala Sirisena was swift in appeasing the masses by reinstating the ban as soon as he could. Home grown women’s organizations have largely been silent about this, as they remain bogged down by more pressing issues like giving women better access to water, and alleviating the epidemic of kidney disease among women in the country. And Ibn Serendib is pretty certain, adding liver disease to the pile of women’s woes in the last thing they want.

As this problem is something that barely concerns the Saracen, Ibn Serendib is reserved in his opinion, and happy to allow our sister communities that are more invested in this issue to sort things out. It’s not like the Saracen don’t have other more pressing issues. But this incident does highlight the inadequacies of  gender equality, as Allah himself makes mention in the Quran in Surah Al-Imran verse 36 “ … And the male is not like the female …”.