Masjid Al Abrar, Beruwala

Masjid Al Abrar (Arabic: سجد الأبرار‎) or Masjidul Abrar Jumma Mosque, is a mosque in Beruwala, Sri Lanka, which is claimed to be the first and the oldest mosque in the country.[1]

Masjid Al Abrar
مسجد أبرار
Religion
AffiliationIslam
StatusOpen
Location
LocationBeruwala
Shown within Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates6°27′47″N 79°58′34″E
Architecture
TypeMosque

The mosque purportedly dates back to 920 AD, built by Arab merchants who arrived here to trade with locals in spices, ginger and steel en-route to China.[2][3] The mosque, fronted by a large pond, has undergone several extensive reconstructions since it was first built, with little attention paid to preserve any historical aspects of the structure. In 1893 the roof was supported by large round pillars, these were demolished in 1986 when the mosque went through a significant refurbishment and expansion, under the guidance and supervision of Abdul Bakeer Markar, the local member of parliament, representing Beruwala, who later went onto become the Speaker of the Parliament and the first Governor of the Southern Province.[1][2][4] The renovated building was designed by W. J. Neil Alles of Surti and Alles Chartered Architects and built by Alhaj S. M. A. Hameed and M. N. A. Haniffa.[5] The mosque currently has the capacity to accommodate 3,000 devotees.[1]

On 8 June 2003 an image of the mosque was included on two commemorative stamps (a Rs.23 and Rs.4.50), released by Postal Department to mark the first Arab settlement[6][7][8] by the Postal and Telecommunications Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.[1][5]

See also

References
  1. "Masjidul Abrar Jumma Mosque of Beruwala – The oldest mosque in Sri Lanka". Amazing Lanka. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  2. "Oldest Mosques in Sri Lanka". Sri Lankan Museum of Muslims. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  3. Devapriya, Uditha (30 April 2019). "The Muslims Of Sri Lanka: A Quick Snapshot". The Colombo Telegraph. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. "M. A. Bakeer Markar". Bakeer Markar.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  5. Azwer, Alhaj A. H. M. (11 June 2013). "Historic Beruwela - the entry point of Arabs". The Daily News. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  6. "2003 - the 1st Arab Settlement in Sri Lanka - 8 June 23.00 (R)". Jungle.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. "Masjidul Abrar (First Arab Settlement in Sri Lanka - Beruwala)". colnect.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  8. "1st Arab Settlement in Sri Lanka, Beruwala issue of Sri Lanka". Stamp Data. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
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