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by Rasheed M. Imthiyas

The All Ceylon Young Men's Muslim Association (YMMA) is the premier Muslim youth, Non-Governmental Organization in Sri Lanka. It has completed 53 years of service to the community and the whole nation.

Although the All Ceylon YMMA Conference came into existence on 30th April 1950, YMMAs had been functioning from the early part of the 20th century. The YMMA Mutwal, Colombo, was formed in 1917 that is 85 years ago. Another YMMA in the hill capital of Kandy has staked claims to call itself the first YMMA in Sri Lanka. This YMMA had its origin in the Kandy Muslim Association formed in 1915. In 1944 within a short period of time YMMAs were started in Mawanella, Madawala, Gelioya, Matale and many other places. Between 1945 & 1950 Galle, Matara, Beruwela & Kalutara had also established YMMAs. In Colombo alone had 5 YMMAs in Mutwal, Hulftsdorp, Kuruwe Street, Maligakande (later Central) and Maligawatte. All YMMAs functioned independently and in isolation.

On 2nd April 1950, a meeting was held at Zahira College, with Mr. Azeez as Chairman, at which representatives of the YMMAs of Aluthkade, Central, Kuruwe Street, Maligawatte and Mutwal attended. They unanimously decided to inaugurate the All Ceylon YMMA Conference, with the objective of coordinating all existing YMMAs in Sri Lanka.

The inaugural meeting of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference was held on 30th April 1950 at Zahira College, Colombo, with Dr. A. M. A. Azeez, in the chair. In the history of the Muslim youth of this country, this was a memorable occasion of great consequence, 67 delegates from 17 YMMAs were present. For the very first time all these YMMAs had come together expressly for the purpose of establishing a parent body bringing all YMMAs under one umbrella. This inaugural meeting was a turning point in welding all YMMAs together to stabilise the YMMA Movement. Later Dr. A. M. A. Azeez was elected as the First President and Alhaj Lafir Cassim was elected as the First General Secretary of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference. Since then several youngsters have taken up leadership in the organization. Election is held every year in a democratic manner by a Secret ballot.

All Ceylon YMMA Conference as the ideal Non-political Forum of the Muslim youth to give expression to their aims and aspirations. The Conference is proud to proclaim that it has had 40 Presidents through these years. In the YMMA, persons are elected to high office not for their status but for their service. Not for their wealth but for their worth.

This year, the YMMA Conference is celebrating its 53rd Anniversary. The 53rd annual convention of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference will be held tomorrow (22nd June) at the Bank of Ceylon Auditorium, Bristol Street, Colombo 1. The Chief Guest will be Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Employment and Labour and the Guest of Honour will be Tay Bian How, Director, Drug Advisory Programme of the Colombo plan followed by its Business Session the Annual General Meeting on the same day.

About 50 to 60 Branch YMMAs from various part of the country is expected to participate in this Annual Convention. The main feature of the programme is the presentation of the Annual Report by the Secretary followed by the award Ceremony. These Awards are given to Branches and individuals who have service done during the year.

A special feature of this Convention is the granting of Service Awards to those Members who have the Organization for a continuous of over 20 years. They are Messrs M. N. M. Shihabdeen, M. M. A. Wahab, M. Jiffry Haniffa, M. F. S. Muheed and Shahul Hameed.

The Best Campers (the winners of the Youth LEADERSHIP Training Camp) will also get the Award and a lots of other Awards for Best President. Best Secretary, Best Treasurer, Best Project Most Outstanding YMMA, Best Sports and Religious, Award presented to the Branch YMMAs.

The YMMA Conference has a multitude of activities encompassing Religious, Educational, Cultural, Social and Community activities. The vision of the founder has been that the YMMA should be solace to the Community.

In the recent past, especially during the year (2002/2003) under the leadership of Mr. Ashraff Rumi, National President the All Ceylon YMMA Conference executed several activities for the benefit of the Muslim Youths.

In the field of Religious activity (Da'wah) it organized the Meelad Day together with its annual publication "on the life and Times of Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sal)". Mr. T. B. Kitchil has been handling this programme for the last few years.

Residential Leadership Training is an important feature of the YMMA activity where this time the Conference organized two Residential Leadership Camps for Young. Both in the Branches YMMAs and another Camp for the Students of International Schools. Project Chairman Mr. Shahul Hameed has been very successful in conducting this programme. A follow up programme and career guidance seminar was also conducted.

Regional Administration and Training Centre of the Conference in Bammanna, Kurunegala is the nerve Centre for all the Branches in the Kurunegala Region where we hold all the Training Camps. This could cater to 50 Trainees with the fully-fledged Trainees Quarters. Apart from that a massive cultivation project is done where it would give some income to sustain the project. Mr. Jiffry Haniffa is the Chairman of Bammanna Training Centre.

Educational Scholarships is another important feature where poor and needy students are granted Cash Awards in order that they do not dropout from School due to poverty. University students are given Rs. 1,000 per month for the entire period of their career. 40 Educational Scholarships will be awarded on 21st June 2003 when the All Island Branch YMMAs gather at the Central Council Meeting. Mr. Nadvi Bahaudeen, Chairman Education Project has been very instrumental in getting a large number of funds from the well-to-do who have assured continuous funding to this project.

Anti-Drug programme under the theme "Towards a Drug Free Society" was another feature of our hive of activity that took place during the period under review. A large number of Young Boys are invited to participate in an Anti Drug Workshop. Mr. Iflal Abdullah is handling this programme.

The YMMA Branches and Members are given regular assistance so that they would be able to cater to the needs to the people of the area. This time the YMMA Conference visited several of their Branches in the North and East Provinces. Chairman of Branch Development Mr. M. S. Raheem has taken special interest creating and reviving Branches Member enthusiasm.

In the field of Sports YMMA is playing a big role in promoting sports among Branches where Cricket and Soccer Tournament were organized. Competition among Branches has led to Team spirits.

Unity and discipline and enthusiasm among the young boys are great in this area of activity.

In the field of Social Service Mr. A. M. M. Hussain has been handling various self-employment projects by providing to ladies cooking utensils for food preparation and for the manufacturing insense (Joss) Sticks (Bakthi) to the widows who have been able to earn a daily living.

The All Ceylon YMMA Conference is marching towards the centenary with its unique services to the community and the country.

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