Philanthropist Alhaj N.D.H. Abdul Caffoor :
Piety and honesty his forte
61st Commemoration Day on November 1:
Alhaj A.H.M. Azwer
These were eulogies ungrudgingly paid to the late Alhaj N.D.H. Abdul
Caffoor by the then Prime Minister and the Governor General - two of the
outstanding leaders this country has produced to the Souvenir brought
out by the Muslim League Senate in 1957 November 1, 2009 marks the 61st
death anniversary of Abdul Caffoor one of the greatest benefactors and
philanthropists this country has ever known.
'NDH' as he was popularly known, was a pioneer in gem trade in this
country who ventured out across the oceans and made the name Ceylon (Serendib
and Sailan) well-known and popular in the Western world. Though he was
not fortunate to enter the portals of a University, he was universally
recognized as the greatest expert on gems in countries far and wide.
He held a gem exhibition in Philadelphia as far back as 1926 and was
awarded the Grand Prize for the biggest collection of gems ever
displayed in the USA. Inspired by this pioneering effort and success, he
without any hassle proceeded further to dazzle the Westerners by
producing before them the light of gems that were born in the bosom of
this good earth - this resplendent isle.
His remarkable knowledge on precious stones were looked on with
breathtaking amazement by lovers of gems in St. Louis (USA) in 1903 and
two decades hence in Wembly (UK) in 1924, where the British Empire
Exhibition was held.
Alhaj N.D.H. Abdul Caffoor became a 'world figure' in gems and
gemology. Had he lived further down the ages, he would have (certainly)
be shortlisted for a Nobel Prize Award in this field!
Although his gem exhibitions were breathtaking, his climb to fame was
heart breaking.
A lean and frail looking, fourteen-years-old Caffoor - the lad
wandered hither and thither with only a 25-cent silver coin given by his
grandmother surfacing an unknown territory - that is Fort today - as the
versatile journalist of yesteryear.
S.H. Yoonoos, puts it "the same way Dick Whittington went to London".
In front of an Old Dutch building in Fort, he chanced to meet a
Muslim Jeweller, who was quick to realize Caffoor's business acumen and
ungrudgingly give him call assistance to build up his own capital.
Caffoor seized the opportunity to blossom out to be a master business -
man within a short period of six years and built up a gem of a business
in the establishment of the world famous Gem Museum just in front of the
Colombo old Jetty, Opening the path to the 'whites', who disembarking
from ship straight walked into this edifice to view the splendour of
Ceylon - Gems.
'NDH' true to his religious belief and practice like the Gems ray
serene, outshoned every other in exhibiting a rare sense of honesty and
piety.
Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel, another leader known for his sincerity and
honesty, one day told us this story. He (Caffoor) once went to purchase
a Catseye stone from the farmer of Sir Francis Molamure - Former speaker
of the House or Representatives. Senior Molamure fixed the prize at
forty - thousand - rupees. Calfoor was not pretentious, but revealing
with a smile on his face he paid sixty - five - thousand rupees and said
that, that was the real value of the stone.
This story of honesty and gentleman business dealing spread like wild
fire in the Sabaragamuwa terrain and Gem pits owners flocked in stream
to Gem Museum in Fort to receive Caffoor's true value to their items.
When Sir Herbert Stanley, then Governor opening the Gem Museum, paid
a tribute to N.D.H. Abdul Caffoor for his presentation for permanent
exhibition at the Imperial Institute, in South Kensington of a valuable
exhibit of Ceylon Stones. He was then the inheritor of the largest and
the finest Catseye in the world.
NDH Hajiar was also loved by his countrymen for his manifold and
magnificent charity. The Deaf and Dump school at Ratmalana, the Child
Protection Society at Pamunuwa road, Maharagama and various other
charitable and social institutions speak volumes for his generosity and
philanthropy.
The establishment of the Gaffooriya Arabic College in Maharagama in
the early 1930s by NDH Hajiar opened the flood - gates for well
qualified Ulemas (Islamic Theologians) to take the centre stage in
reviving Islamic education, thought and activity among the Muslims not
only in Sri Lanka but even in India and other South East countries. When
young, I remember with nostalgic memories students of this great seat of
Arabic studies congregating at the residence of my uncle, the late Alhaj
A.L.J. Deen (well-known as Deen Baas Maama in the construction trade and
the founder of Masjidul Azhariyyah in Temple Road, Maharagama) for the
regular recitals of Burdah, Mowlid, Rathin and other religious
observances, partaking sumptuous meals thereafter.
A great man of philanthropy and magnanimity, NDH Hajiar in life did
everything for 'Lillah...' - in the path of Allah He shunned publicity
and public honours. Once when it was suggested that the Government be
urged to conter on him a Knighthood, he simply shrugged it off saying
that all praise and honour belonged to Allah - "I am only giving to
others what the Creator bestowed on me and I am only a guardian of His
wealth and property..." He always believed in the maxim", the hand that
gives, gathers...".
Whatever the merits and rewards gathered by the late Alhaj N.D.H.
Abdul Caffoor - the King of Gems in the Island of Serendib - let him
richly harvest in a abundance the Awards from his Creator in the
Hereafter - Aameen!
The writer was Secretary to the Muslim League Senate, Former Minister
and Presently Presidential Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs and Media
Ombudsman
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"Though he is perhaps best remembered for the
contribution to the cause of Muslim education and religion, his
generosity was not limited to the Muslim community alone. I regard him
as one of the outstanding Ceylonese gentlemen of his age and appreciate
this opportunity of paying this tribute to him".
- S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike
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"The great interest that he took in social
service and education will always remain a great inspiration to us. Let
the work that he has done and the life that he has led be an example to
us all".
- Sir Oliver Goonetileke
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