| Muslim Nesan | |
| Type: | Weekly newspaper |
| Editor: | M. C. Siddi Lebbe |
| Language: | Arwi/English |
| Ceased Publication: | 1889 |
| Headquarters: | Colombo, British Ceylon |
Muslim Nesan (Tamil: مسليم نشن, ta|முஸ்லிம் நேசன், "The Muslim Friend") was an Arwi (Arabic Tamil) and English-language weekly newspaper, published from Colombo, British Ceylon between 1882 and 1889.[1] [2] [3] M. C. Siddi Lebbe was the publisher, owner and editor of Muslim Nesan.[2] He founded Muslim Nesan in Kandy in December 1882. The name of the publication was possibly inspired by the journal Ilankai Nesan ("Friend of the Ceylonese") of Arumuka Navalar.[3] In setting up the newspaper Cittilevvai was inspired by the Aligarh Movement, Navalar and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.[4] The first issue appeared on 21 December 1882.[1] [2] [5]
Muslim Nesan carried news from Muslim countries.[5] The newspaper purposefully sought to politicize the Muslim community.[6] Muslim Nesan had subscribers in Ceylon, South India, Penang and Singapore.[7] Muslim Nesan was, along with Sarvajana Nesan, one of the two most prominent Muslim newspapers in the Tamil-speaking world at the time.[8] Muslim Nesan had a network of correspondents in different parts of South-East Asia.[9] Material from Muslim Nesan was reproduced in other publications, such as Singai Nesan.[7]
Between 1883 and 1885 Muslim Nesan carried a series of articles on the history of Ceylonese Muslims, authored by Cittilevvai.[10] In the page of Muslim Nesan Cittilevvai argued for educational reforms in the Muslim community and reproduced articles by Syed Ahmad Khan, a North Indian social reformer. The newspaper also carried an interview with the exiled Egyptian nationalist leader Ahmed Orabi, soon after his arrival in Ceylon.[7] Cittilevvai also argued in Muslim Nesan that Muslims should adopt Arabic as their day-to-day language.[11]