Navayats - Arab Muslims of India

[RIFAK]

Like Pakistan has Mohajirs (New Arrivals) , India has Nawayats (Also meaning New arrivals in local language) who migrated from Middle east centuries ago. Eventhough their population is only few thousand and they are settled in South Indian state of Karnataka they have carved a niche in society as these people are enterpreuners and Good businessmen.

Most scholars believe they are Iraqis who left Iraq in early part of 8th century AD during the fearful reign of Hajaj bin Yusuf, the Governor of Iraq . As there was already some trade relationships between Arabian peninsula and India they followed popular trade route and landed in India. Some people say they may be also from Persia .

I grew up in a city which was dominated by them. They were very rich and half of the male population was working in Gulf countries. Whole city was filled with magnificient mosques. I have never see any nawayat women outside without shuttlecock burqa. Till 2-3 decades back their education level was verylow but recently they have built a big educational empire (however most of the students are from overseas or rich people . I dont see many poor muslims studying there). They also never mixed with local muslims (May be 99% percent marriages between their own community). The place where they are in majority (Bhatkal in Karnataka) is also known as Mini Dubai. You name goods available in Dubai. They are smuggled here and sold.

http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/01072002/0107200296.htm

[Ana]

Interesting read. Thanks for posting it Rifak.

[kabir]

well you people must also know that this place called bhatkal is another hotspot in india
muslims are rounded up by police and hindu goondas are destroying muslim life and property after any pretext

[RIFAK]

Originally posted by kabir:
well you people must also know that this place called bhatkal is another hotspot in india
muslims are rounded up by police and hindu goondas are destroying muslim life and property after any pretext

Kabir,
My uncle was elected represetative of Bhatkal and he was shot dead by Muslim extremists . He was a doctor and he set up his practice in a Muslim dominated area (he was the first trained doctor there) and practically every muslim in the town was his patient and half of the muslim kids were born in his nursing home. He was killed because of his religion as he was non-muslim. Police could not find out who the killers are. But it is true that police rounded up many which happeans commonly in India.

[2bornot2b]

Originally posted by RIFAK:
... But it is true that police rounded up many which happeans commonly in India...

Except in Gujurat. Where they cordially elect them into power (with increased majority). Lookslike, burning to death thousands of Muslims, sending over a hundred thousand Muslims to the refugee camps, and violating the womb of Muslim women, tearing their unborn babies part is very rewarding for some Indians (Hindus) in Gujurat.

[RIFAK]

Originally posted by 2bornot2b:


Except in Gujurat. Where they cordially elect them into power (with increased majority). Lookslike, burning to death thousands of Muslims, sending over a hundred thousand Muslims to the refugee camps, and violating the womb of Muslim women, tearing their unborn babies part is very rewarding for some Indians (Hindus) in Gujurat.

There are always some Hindu Fanatics , Muslim fanatics and Christian Fanatics. Hindus have killed muslims and muslims have killed hindus. As per some estimates 3 million bengali muslims were murdered and thousands of women were raped in 1971 by Pakistanis. There are idiots in every religion. Dont bring Hindu v/s Muslim here.

I grew up in the middle of muslim locality with hundreds of mosques, madrasas and burqa clad women around me. We always shared very cordial relationship. Even after my uncle's killing whole his family lives there in the same house. Eye for an Eye makes whole world blind.

[kabir]

Originally posted by RIFAK:


. Eye for an Eye makes whole world blind.

its perhas only u who realise this
do you agree that hundreds of innocents were tortured by police for alledgedly killing your uncle? so many innocent boys whoes carrier destoryed, so many innocent bread winners behind the bars?

[moona]

Rifak, thanks for sharing the info. I had always wondered about muslims in India that have Arab ancestry. Very interesting indeed! One question though: do these folks "look" Arab too, by any chance?

:maulvidis

[kabir]

Originally posted by moona:
Rifak, thanks for sharing the info. I had always wondered about muslims in India that have Arab ancestry. Very interesting indeed! One question though: do these folks "look" Arab too, by any chance?

:maulvidis

yes very much they have many features like arabs

[Majestic]

Originally posted by kabir:


yes very much they have many features like arabs

what does an "Arab" look like?

There are soo many different types of Arabs with all different looks, in my family alone, my brothers, my mother and father we all look soooooo different.