Labbay

Labbay, Labbai, Labba ( : லப்பய், : ﻟﺐ ﺑﮯ) is a distinctive ethnic Islamic community from Southern India. A Trading Community spread through the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Labbays follow either the Hanafi or Shafi'i school of Fiqh.

Identity and origins
The Name of the Community Labbay is derived from the Arabic phrase Labbay'k ( : لبیک ), which translated means - Here I am. This is, in reference to the popular belief that the Labbay Community is one of the first trading communities to arrive at the Corramandel & Malabar Coasts from abroad.

History
Labbays are said to have descended from the Traders from the Persian Gulf, and also many converts from the Southern States. Since the late 13th century, Labbays were a trading and entrepreneurial community specializing in the trade and manufacture of leather, tobacco, grains and spices as far as China and South East Asia.

Labbays today
Labbays are a modern and progressive community, who have diversified into various Fields of Industry and Profession. Labbays have also contributed to Southern India, with help in the construction of many Educational and Health care Institutions, notably, the New College, Chennai; Justice Basheer Ahmed Syed College for Women, Chennai etc.

Distinguishing features
Female names in the Labbay community typically end with the suffix Banu. Also, Labbays are fair complexioned with oval facial bone structures inherited from intermarriage with other Oriental races.Tamil Muslims