The Masjidul Abrar Jumma Mosque at Beruwala is claimed to be the very
first mosque built in Sri Lanka as far back as 920 AD. Monumentally
steeped in history it is also claimed to be the origin of Islam in the
country. It was constructed by early Arab settlers. The burial grounds
adjoining the mosque where their bodies lie, together with 40 Awliyas
(saints ), bear testimony to its heritage. Th
e tomb of an ardent
follower (holy man) Aseyyed Assheik Sihabbudeen Waliyallah is even
today nurtured with reverence at this location where Meezan stones lie
scattered from among which one such stone taken from here is in the
city museum in London today. The mosque built near the beach at Maradana (Beruwela) is still in its
pristine form despite renovations and expansions through the years
including its roof in 1893 propped by large round pillars. The building itself is good for another 100 years but to meet the ever
increasing demand for space to accommodate worshipers for Jumma
prayers further renovations were conducted in 1986 when negative
features of Islamic architecture prevalent hitherto were replaced with
exclusive architectural values. New features found in the Grand Mosque in Bong City in Pakistan and a
mosque in Turkey have been added to modernise it. These striking architectural features against the background of the
impressive pond opposite the mosque is a scene to behold. Arabic
Muslims or the forefathers of present day Sri Lankan moors, who were
an influential group of traders, are reported to have paid income
taxes to Sinhala rulers as far back as 1340 and ancient coins of that
era have been found at Beruwela. Sinhala literature such as Sandesh Kavya and Tissara Kavya and Gira
Sandesaya, works of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries refer to the
Arab Muslim inhabitants, who enhanced their activities and reached a
peak together with political influence till the arrival of the
Portuguese and the position of their women during that time. Just as
the very first mosque in Sri Lanka is situated at Maradana in
Beruwela, so were the very first Muslim Girls College, Al-Fasiyathul
Nasriya muslim college, the first Educational Centre and several other
schools at Beruwela (Arabic : Berberyne) established, the town that
also boasts of having introduced weaving into Sri Lanka from India.
