Islam in the Land of the Buddha
by David Blacker
April 2023
Under an arrogantly fluttering Buddhist flag, against the backdrop of the Independence Memorial Hall, thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims, and well-wishers from other faiths, gather for ifthar, the evening meal that ends the daily fast of Ramazan. As a muezzin chants the azaan of the Maghrib Prayer from the top of the hall’s steps, they take their first bite of food, or sip of water.
