You can find Meeran Masjids or Meera Masjids in various locations across Sri Lanka, with the Kandy Meera Makam Masjid holding particular significance. There are several Meera Schools throughout the country, a testament to the influence of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) (910 - 978 AH/1504-570 AD). He was a great scholar, thinker, spiritual personality (Sufi), and freedom fighter against Portuguese occupiers.
Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) lived in South India during the 16th century. Sheikh Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) possessed a formidable force that fought against the Portuguese. This noble group, consisting of around 404 faqirs (mendicants), included Shayk Sadaq Ibrahim Maraikkayar (918-1008 AH/1512-1599 AD) of Kayalpattinam. Shayk Sadaq Ibrahim Maraikkayar’s force successfully burned many Portuguese ships in a conflict in Tamil Nadu. Notably, the naval chief of the Zamorin Kingdom (Zamorin of Calicut), Kunjali Marikkar, was a student of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). King Mayadunna (Kingdom of Sitawaka) drew inspiration from Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah).
Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) arrived in Sri Lanka for missionary work, reaching Galle with his 404 faqirs (mendicants). Leading the group, he visited various places in Sri Lanka, including Kandy, Matara, Kalmunai, Adam's Peak, and Dafthar Jailani. During his stay, Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah) actively called people toward Islam, appointing his students to teach islam in many locations.
Three students of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimullah), who served both their country and contributed to spiritual and social revival, are buried in Sri Lanka.
1. Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimahullah)
He served as the Naval chief of the Zamorin Kingdom (Zamorin of Calicut) in Kerala. Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimullah) came to Sri Lanka at the request of King Mayadunna to combat the Portuguese. In the ensuing war against the Portuguese, Kunjali Marikkar (Rahimullah) became a martyr and is interred at the Chilaw Malay Mosque.
2. Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah)
Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah), a student of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah), accompanied his spiritual master to Sri Lanka and resided in Kandy. Following his passing, Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) was interred in Kandy. Subsequently, a mosque was erected near his resting place, now known as Kandy Meeran Maqam Masjid. This mosque is named as Meeran Maqam to the memory of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah). The land where Miran Maqam Masjid stands today was generously gifted by the Kandiyan king to Shihabdeen Waliyullah (Rahimahullah).
3. Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah)
Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) is buried in Mankumban Masjid in Velanai, Jaffna. His tomb became the reason for the later construction of a mosque in this location. Sultan Abdul Qadir Waliyullah (Rahimahullah) had also served as the Khalifa of Nagore Sahul Hameed Meeran Sahib Wali (Rahimahullah).
Ifham Nawas (இப்ஹாம் நவாஸ்)
