Al-Haj Dr Tuan Branudeen Jayah - 120th birth
anniversary:
Educationist, Statesman and national hero
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The 120th birth anniversary of educationist,
Statesman and national hero, Al Haj Dr T. B. Jayah, falls today. The
Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) has made arrangements to mark
this event with a public meeting to be held on Sunday, January 3, 2010
at the Ghafoor Hall of Zahira College, Colombo, commencing at 9.30 a.m.
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Al Haj T. K. Azoor Principal, Zahira College, Colombo
Sri Lanka, our Motherland, being a multi-ethnic country, has a
significant population of Malays, who have made outstanding
contributions to the welfare of the nation in the field of sports,
community building, plantation industries, and have even laid down their
lives to safeguard the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the
country. We have lived harmoniously with other communities for more than
300 years. We have also produced outstanding personalities in the
professional fields whose achievements stand out as beacons of light
showing the way to future generations.
Worthy son of Mother Lanka
January 1, 2010 is the 120th birth anniversary of one such Malay who
was a worthy son of Mother Lanka and who has done his country proud. He
was late Al Haj Dr. Tuan Branudeen Jayah. He passed away in the year
1960 at Madinatun Nabawi, the City of the Prophet. He was laid to rest
in the Jennathul Baqi in Medina, among the companions and members of our
Holy Prophet (sal) having been accorded the rare honour of a State
funeral by Saudi Arabian Government.
Sole representative of Muslims
Labour Leader A. E. Goonesinghe and Dr. T. B. Jayah
congratulating each other on their victory at the
Parliamentary General Election of 1947 for the Multi-member
Colombo Central seat. |
Born on January 1, 1890 at Galagedera, he was the son of the late
Police Sergeant Cassim and Nona Jayah (nee Sourjah). An old boy of S.
Thomas' College he excelled in school and carried away a large number of
prizes. He was the sole representative of Muslims among the brilliant
young men of other communities who obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree
of the London University in 1911. Having entered the teaching profession
that was dearest to his heart for the next 35 years, he taught Classics
and History at Ananda College and also taught at Prince of Wales,
Moratuwa and Dharmaraja College at Kandy.
Jayah in his far sightedness and enduring services to the community
created a niche in the hearts of Muslims in this country. He became
intensely and fruitfully involved with Zahira College Maradana after
having been invited by the Manager of the Maradana Mosque Committee,
N.H.M. Abdul Cader to assume as Principal of Zahira in 1921 when he was
31 years. It was as if destiny brought the man and need together at a
time when it was appropriate.
The supreme need of the hour during that period for the Muslims was
an education to turn out heroes, heroines, leaders, reformers, thinkers
and philosophers. This education helped make the Muslims a progressive,
enlightened and powerful community. His entry to Zahira College as
Principal was the gateway to the renaissance of a secondary education
for Muslims in Sri Lanka.
During his stewardship at Zahira College (1921-1948) he transformed
it from a tottering elementary school to a premier educational
institution. When he took over the school there were only six teachers,
fifty-nine boys, hardly any furniture and a small building. Before he
handed over his reins to A.M.A. Azeez his successor there were ten
institutions, over 3,500 students and around 150 teachers. At the time
of his retirement in 1948 his devoted service and hard work left Zahira
with full coffers and an assured income. He even introduced sports where
the Zahirians excelled in Rugby Football as well as Boxing.
Just after the 2nd World War, when the Military Forces occupied the
College premises, the College had to be closed down for two years.
An educationist
In order that those students continue their education uninterrupted,
he opened up branches in Matale, Puttalam, Gampola, Aluthgama and Slave
Island. Once they were established Jayah decided that they be given
their independent status.
As an educationist, he was concerned about the welfare of the Muslims
so much so that he inaugurated the Ceylon Muslim Scholarship Fund on May
19, 1945 to ensure that no Muslim scholar capable and deserving in any
part of the island was deprived of the education he or she deserved for
want of money.
As a Legislator, he was among the few Muslims who were on par with
the elite of other communities. Dr. T.B. Jayah and other Muslim members
of the learned professions had to do all the thinking and planning for
the rest of the Muslim community. It was in this situation that Dr.
Jayah was elected to the Legislative Council in 1924.
In this capacity, whilst admitting that the Muslims were not forceful
enough to fight for their rights and awaited external assistance, he
emphasized the need for them to receive special and liberal treatment in
the matter of education.
He mentioned that unless people of a country were given the necessary
facilities for education, its political development and industrial
progress would be at stake.
He said that if all children of school going ages were given an
opportunity to acquire their maximum potential, all measures taken to
develop agriculture and improve methods of production will not be
appreciated. He even requested that a good University be set up in the
country. This was part of his speech made at the Legislative Council on
July 26, 1926.
In another speech made on January 19,1925, he put up a motion for
granting Jummah leave for Muslims on Fridays.
Political career
The cause of education being close to his heart, he continuously made
requests during his speeches at the various legislative councils for
pension funds for teachers and special bonus for the English trained
teachers, etc.
He continued into State Council being one of the State councillors.
He was also a member of the special committee of education in 1943, a
landmark in the history of education in this country. He was among the
gallant band of leaders who toiled during the transition of this country
from a colony to an independent state.
His famous Dominion Speech made in the State Council has been hailed
as one of the factors that accelerated the granting of independence to
Ceylon.
His political career was crowned when he was appointed as Labour and
Social Services Minister in 1947 in the first Cabinet of D. S.
Senanayake (1947-1950). One of his outstanding achievements was the
establishment of the Employees' Provident Fund (E.P.F.) which is a boon
to all private sector employees.
Subsequently, he was appointed High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in
Pakistan during 1950-57. The Government of Pakistan and its masses
respected and loved him. He was appointed the doyen of the Diplomatic
Service.
The University of Punjab honoured him by the conferment of the degree
D.Lit. (Honoris Causa). He was even offered citizenship in that country
which was graciously turned down.
Late Dr. T.B. Jayah is a fine example for the present day youth to
emulate. Having come from humble beginnings he gained educational
proficiency. He thereafter imparted his knowledge with zest and devotion
and established in Sri Lanka an institution that grew up to be the
radiating centre of Islamic thought and civilization. As Legislator and
Statesman he maintained the highest standards of honesty and morality.
He interacted prudently with other community leaders of that time to
work for the independence of a United Sri Lanka. As a Diplomat he
brought fame and dignity to his Motherland.
This devoted man of God breathed his last when on a mission to work
for the welfare of the Haj pilgrims of Sri Lanka.
May Almighty Allah grant him Jennathul Firdouse. |