100,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Religion of Lakshadweep

In the Lakshadweep, there were Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Now Majority of the people in Lakshadweep are Muslims.

Legends goes to say that the first settlement on these islands dates back to the period of Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera king of Kerala. Budhist settlements existed in the islands as early as the 6th or 7th century. Later, the religion Islam was brought to Lakshadweep by an Arab named Ubaidulla in 41 (661 AD). His grave is located in the Androt Island. Muslim grave stones as old as 139 (756 AD) have also been discovered in Androt. Now majority of the population in the Lakshadweep are Muslims

The Muslims in Lakshadweep believe that there is no other God but Allah and that Muhammad is his Prophet. But Pir (saint) worship has become a common feature with them.

The majority of the Muslims belong to the Shufi School of the Sunni sect and acknowledge besides the Koran the authority of the Sunnet. Other sects among the Muslims are Wahabis and Ahamadiyas who are only a microscopic minority. The Wahabis have separate mosques in Agatti and Kavaratti and the Ahamadiyas are found only in Kalpeni. Wahabis are Muslim purists who reflect all traditional teachings except that of the Prophet, prohibit pilgrimage to shrines or tombs and try to restore Islam to be condition of its ancient purity. There is no differences in the religious beliefs, manners and customs of the different classes in Lakshadweep but they have been separated by social barriers.