Knowing Orabi Pasha
Title: Ilankayil Orabi
Pashavum Sahakalum
(Orabi Pasha and Friends in Lanka)
Author: S. M. A. Hassan
Publisher: Sixth Edition
Published by Orabi Pasha Foundation, Kandy
This little book of 72 pages in Tamil giving an introduction of
‘Orabi Pasha’s social life and cultural activities in Sri Lanka and the
life of his companions in the country’ is a fine compendium compiled by
the Orabi Pasha Cultural Centre of the Egyptian Embassy in Lanka. The
author is a retired Chief Education Officer Kalabooshanam Alhaj S. M. A.
Hassan.
Except perhaps a few residents in Senkadagala (Kandy) most present
day citizens of our country might not have heard of Orabi Pasha from
Egypt.
Great thinking
He incidentally was a rebel fighting against the monarchy of Egypt
and was banished from the country. He and his companions, great thinkers
all of them, arrived in Lanka in the 19th century. They were pacesetters
for the present mode of government in Egypt as opposed to monarchical
rule.
They’re reckoned as Heroes of Egypt.
Writing further in the foreword for this book, director of the Centre
M. H. Salimdeen says that both Orabi Pasha and the late Siddi Lebbe had
contributed to the fields of education, culture and politics of Lankan
Muslims. The place he lived in Kandy is now turned to a museum and the
foundation is housed there.
Dr. M. S. M. Annes, Philosophy Department Head at the University of
Peradeniya, appreciates the book and main points from it are worth
quoting:
Against colonialism
‘Modern education in the 19th century opened up the modern era of the
Muslims in Lanka. The Muslim world associated itself with the problems
that existed in the 19th century all over the world.
Egypt was in the forefront among the Muslim countries that showed
opposition against colonialism and monarchy.
Orabi Pasha with modern thoughts led the civil aggression against the
prevalent system but was ousted and banished only to uplift the
education of Lankan Muslims. Therefore he became an unforgettable figure
in the history of local Muslims. This is indeed a rare event.’
‘This book by S. M. A. Hassan could be considered a detailed account
of Orabi Pasha and his companions in Tamil. In his ‘Muslim Nation’,
knowledgeable Siddi Lebbe published short notes on Orabi Pasha.
A book in English by one Dep gives a lot of information regarding
Orabi Pasha. However Hassan’s book could be a source for further
research. One should note the history of Sinhala- Muslim relationship
between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century to write
a book like this and it leads to finding the facts that could be
researched into.’
Orabi Pasha summarized
The book enlists the following as the major subjects with ancillary
subheads:
A summary of the history of Egypt, anti-government reaction by Orabi
Pasha and his associates, the death sentence and banishment, his arrival
in Lanka with his friends, he rallying of Muslims, a summary of life
history of Pashas, the centenary celebrations of Orabi Pasha in Lanka,
the Orabi Pasha Museum in Kandy and the activities of Orabi Pasha
Foundation.
Apart from reading hitherto unknown details regarding Orabi Pasha, I
also found interesting notes on the life Pashas in the second section of
the book. We learn that Orabi Pasha had lived in Lanka with his family
from 1892 to 1901.
The house he lived is now turned into a Museum. It is at no. 26,
George de Silva Mawatha in Kandy. It was earlier known as ‘Arabi House’.
There are seven black and white pictures that had recorded memorable
moments.
The author S. M. A. Hassan is a respected educationist from
Peradeniya serving the country in various capacities from 1944 to 1987.
He was also the director of the Orabi Pasha Cultural Centre in Kandy
for 19 years. He has authored 14 books that include a translation of
Allama Iqbal, the great poet, and a short fiction in Sinhala titled
Yasahami. A writer and broadcaster, the author deserves thanks for
writing the book in Tamil for the benefit of readers in that language.
The Orabi Pasha Foundation has published five books so far: four in
Tamil and one in Sinhala.
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