The name of the publication was possibly inspired by the journal Ilankai Nesan ("Friend of the Ceylonese") of Arumuka Navalar.

[5] In setting up the newspaper Cittilevvai was inspired by the Aligarh Movement, Navalar and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.

[8] Muslim Nesan had subscribers in Ceylon, South India, Penang and Singapore.

[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.