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Colombo Grand Mosque was the first Mosque built in Colombo by Scholar Khalid Ibn Bakaya who came to Sri Lanka in Hijri 181 on the directions by Khalifa Haroon Al Rasheed. Khalifa Haroon Al Rasheed came to power in Hijri 169 during the reign of the Abbashiya.

Arabs had trade relationship with Sri Lanka even before the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Sal). Islamic Da’wa work started on Monday, 27th. September in A.D. 622 by the Hijjrath to Madeena. As a result, the birth of Islam was spread in Sri Lanka with the Hijra, as reported in the book named ‘Ajaa ibul Hind’. According to this book, two persons belonging to a royal family in Yeman had come to Sri Lanka in Hijri 18 – A.D. 640, one of them had arrived in Manthottam and the other in Beruwala. This is also recorded in the publication named ‘Shenar’ written by Waanshaandan.

Sections of families from Hahimiya had come to South India, Sri Lanka and Malacca due to the harassment of the Umaiya in A.D. 724 – Hijri 105.The people who came to Sri Lanka had settled in Jaffna, Mannar, Manthottam, Anuradhapura, Kuthiraimalai, Puttalam, Colombo, Beruwala and Galle. These people had no intention of capturing the country. They were very helpful to the King and cultivated good relationship with the King and the people. Their intention was only to engage in trading activities. Besides trade, they also rendered free medical services. Because of this, the King had very cordial relationship with them, and also started to like the Islamic Culture.

Khalifa Haroon Al Rasheed showed a keen interest in Sri Lankan Muslims, particularly with regard to their education and religious activities. He sent a Scholar named Khalid Ibn Bakaya to Sri Lanka in Hijri 180 – A.D.797. He is the one who built the first Mosque in Colombo and also started to organize educational programmes. That is the mosque, known today as the Colombo Grand Mosque, serving the Muslims all over the Island up to date. A cemetery was also established by the side of the mosque for the Muslim.

Abu Bakaya from Egypt who came here as a tourist during the reign of 1st Buwanekabahu died in Hijri 344 – A.D. 955. He was buried at the cemetery beside the Colombo Grand Mosque. His name, country and year of death appear in the ‘Meezan’ (Tomb Stone) that was laid to identify the buried persons. These Meezans can be seen at the Colombo Museum today.

When the Portuguese came to Sri Lanka in A.D. 1505, Hijri 910, the Muslims supported the King to fight the invaders and this resulted in Muslims being persecuted and harassed by the invaders. Muslims were chased away from Colombo by the invading Portuguese. The Colombo Grand Mosque was also damaged by the invaders. A Map of Colombo drawn by the Portuguese clearly depicts the Colombo Grand Mosque. A copy of this Map is available today in the Colombo Grand Mosque.

Subsequently, with the arrival of Hollanders, the Muslims returned to Colombo. Thereafter, the Muslims were able to renovate the damaged mosque and started to engage in religious activities in Colombo once again. They rebuilt the Colombo Grand Mosque at the same places.

As the area where the Colombo Grand Mosque is situated had a lot of bare land, the bungalow of the English Governor was built there.

The tomb stone of Abu Bakaya found at the cemetery at Colombo Grand Mosque was used for the steps at the newly build Governor’s bungalow. This stone was later sent to the Museum. The English who ruled Sri Lanka in A.D. 1850 wanted the Cemetery that was situated by the side of the mosque shifted to another place. Because of that, the Colombo Grand Mosque purchased a land at Maligawatte in A.D. 1833 and used it as a Cemetery for the Muslims of Colombo. Thereafter, the mosque purchased the adjoining land of 38 acres at Maligawatte on payment of Rs. 55,000.00. The Government took over 27 acres of this land and used a portion of same for a Housing Scheme and later for the Kettarama stadium. Only 11 acres belong to the Mosque where the Cemetery is situated today.

Centuries before the Organizations of Ulemas (Jemmiyathul Ulema), Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs came into existence, the Colombo Grand Mosque with the participation of representatives  of Ulemas, Katheebs and Imams of other Mosques was engaged in the important task of announcing the monthly sighting of the New Moon to the Muslim public in the country and taking various decisions concerning the religious activities of the Muslims in Sri Lanka. The announcement of times, prior to the establishment of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the end of Sahr and break of fasting times, during the Holy month of Ramazan,  were announced by the firing of the cannon “Peerangi”  This cannon (Perangi) is still kept as a monument at the Colombo Grand Mosque.

Even to this date, the task of announcing the Islamic Months and other important dates is carried out under the auspices of the Colombo Grand Mosque with the participation of the Jemmithul Ulema, Department of Muslim religious and Cultural affairs and other organizations.

In 1986, the Colombo Grand Mosque was incorporated by an act of Parliament, Act No. 22 and today the Mosque is registered as the COLOMBO GRAND MOSQUE INC. and situated at 151. New Moor Street, Colombo. 12 (as its main entrance) with a side entrance at First Mosque Lane (now known as Refai Thangal Mawatha) Colombo. 12.

The Mosque is administered by a Board of Trustees in terms of a constitution as prescribed in the Incorporation Act.