Sarandib: An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka

by Asiff Hussein

Sarandib, an Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka by Asiff Hussein, now in its third expanded edition, is by far the most comprehensive work on Sri Lankan Muslim society.Written in a lucid style, it is the culmination of much research, inquiry and field studies on the society and culture of the country’s major Muslim groups, the Moors, Malays, Memons and Muslims of Indian origin who though of different ethnic origins, share the common faith of Islam. The work is multi-disciplinary in scope and contains detailed information on aspects like ethnic origins, language, settlements, customs and traditions, dress and ornamentation, culinary fare, medical remedies, names and titles, occupations, social organization, ceremonial observances and religious and folk beliefs.

837 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2020

About the author

Asiff Hussein is the author of a number of publications on Ethnology, Sociology, Linguistics and Islamic issues. His works include Sarandib. An Ethnological Study of the Muslims of Sri Lanka, Zeylanica, a Study of the Peoples and Languages of Sri Lanka Ivilly Pevilly. The Gastronome’s Guide to the Culinary History & Heritage of Sri Lanka, Caste in Sri Lanka. From Ancient Times to the Present Day and Tolerance in Islam, also translated into Sinhala as Islamaya Desana Agamika Ivasima. His writings have also been published in International journals such as Hamdard Islamicus Journal of Studies and Research in Islam.

Hussein is also actively involved in outreach activities and serves as Head of Outreach of the Centre for Islamic Studies (CIS), spearheading its Media and inter-faith Programs. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of Islamic Finance Today, a magazine exclusively dedicated to the promotion of ethical interest-free banking and finance from 2006-2016. He presently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Wahed Invest Islamic Finance Blog.
Hussein holds a B.A. Degree in Social Sciences from the Open University of Sri Lanka, a Post-graduate Diploma in Archaeology from the University of Kelaniya and a Diploma in Journalism from the Aquinas College of Higher Studies, Sri Lanka. He is an Alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Programme organised by the US State Department, having participated in an IVLP Programme on Religion and Social Justice in America on a tour that covered Washington, Huntsville, Birmingham, Santa Fe and San Francisco from June 28th to July 16th 2010.