About: Islam in Kilakarai

The Moors of Kilakarai (Tamil: கீழக்கரை முஸ்லிம்கள்) are a Tamil Muslim community who form the largest ethnic group in Kilakarai comprising 80% of the towns total population. The Moors of Kilakarai are Marakkars. They are predominantly followers of Islam tracing their ancestry to Arab traders mostly from Arabia and Yemen who settled in Kilakarai some time between 8th-15th century. The Kilakarai Moors lived primarily as coastal trading and agricultural communities, preserving their Islamic cultural heritage while adopting many Southern Asian customs. During the period of Portuguese colonisation of Ceylon, a small population of Sri Lankan Moors settled down in Kilakarai as they suffered widespread persecution.