Tamil muslim
| தமிழ் முஸ்லிம்கள் | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| (~7 million) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 India
|
3.5 – 4 million |
 Sri Lanka
|
2,000,000 |
 Malaysia
|
500,000 |
 Singapore
|
20,000 as of 1992 |
| Rest of the world | 1 million |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tamil Hindus, Indian Muslims, Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka, Dravidian people, Sri Lankan Moors, Jawi Peranakan, Kilakarai Moors, Lebbai, Marakayar, Rowther, Kayalar | |
Tamil Muslims (Tamil: தமிழ் முஸ்லிம்கள், tamiḻ muslimgal ?) are Tamil-speaking people with Islam as their faith. There are 3 – 4 million Tamil Muslims in India mostly in Tamil Nadu state and also in neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka. A significant Tamil-speaking Muslim population numbering 1.8 million or more live in the Northern and Eastern provinces and Colombo in Sri Lanka and many other pockets across central and southwest provinces, however they are listed as a separate ethnic group in official statistics. There are around 500,000 in Malaysia and 20,000 in Singapore. Tamil Muslims are largely urban traders rather than farmers. There is a substantial diaspora of Tamil Muslims, particularly in South East Asia, which has seen their presence as early as the 13th century. In the late 20th century, the diaspora expanded to North America and Western Europe. They are called Cholias in Myanmar, Mamak in Malaysia and Rathas in South Africa.
The term "Tamil Muslims" refers to Muslims who are linked to the Tamil-speaking areas of South India, specifically modern day Tamil Nadu state. As such, this term refers not only to ethnic Tamils who are Muslim, but also a range of other social groups identified by their Islamic faith and their connection to the Tamil homeland. Members of these groups can have ancestries and historical connections to a range of geographic regions including South India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and East Africa. Hence, their complexions range from fair to dark, facial bone structures range from sharp/oval to rounded.
The history and origin of these social groups relates to the mixing of cultural groups and influences resulting from centuries of trade among the regions bordering the Indian Ocean, such as the South India-Arabia-East Africa triangular trade route, or the commercial and political links between the Tamil Coast and Southeast Asia, which were bolstered by the British-administered trading activities between its colonies in the Malay Peninsula and the Madras Presidency. By the 20th century, these groups began to be listed as social classes in official gazettes of different nations as Lebbai, Marakayar, Rowther, Dekkani, Kayalar (in Maharashtra), Jawi Peranakan in Malaysia, and Chulia (in Singapore).
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Wikipedia