Sri Lankan 'Muslim patriots'

Hassan El'Fassy Sheriff

As a Muslim aged 74 years, I consider it to be my duty and obligation having closely associated with eminent and respected members of our citizenry, to place on record indelibly services rendered by citizens of Sri Lanka over the past years.

They include Marhoom Alhaj N.D.H. Abdul Gafoor, Sir Mohammed Macan Markar, Sir Razik Fareed, M.C Abdul Rahman, Alhaj Dr. Badiudin Mahmud, N.H.M. Abdul Cader, Mayor A.R.M Thassim, N.M.M. Ishak, T.B. Jayah, M. Ismail (Kandy), Al Haj M. Falil A Cafoor, Justice Akbar, Justice M. Abdul Cader, Gate Mudliya M.S. Kariyapper, A, Aziz, A.C.S. Hameed, A.M.M. Azeez, S.B.A. Hamid, S.I Jefferjee, Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel, Ibrahim Lebbe Hadjiar, E.L. Abdul Cafoor, M.J.M. Lafir (first Ceylonese to be a world champion), M. Muhsin,(First Ceylonese Civil Servant), M.I.M. Naleem of Beruwela, Haleem Ishak, Alhaj M.H.M. Ashraff PC , A.L.M. Hashim PC, A.W.M. Ameer, A.M. Nazeer, M. Zain, M.D. Kichlan, A.C.M. Ameer QC, who are not among us including many others, whose services, whilst maintaining Muslim identity, never ever contributed by words or deeds to inspire communal disharmony.

Instead individually and collectively, they stood to protect and nurture Ceylonese and Sri Lankan identity.

Some of them have left many a splendoured monument in the name of Almighty Allah without any foreign assistance. These include the following:

Cafoor Trust- Baithulmal Fund- Rupee Fund Moors Islamic Cultural Home- All Ceylon YMMA (Dematagoda) - All Ceylon Muslim League, Jamiya Naleemiya.

Today, amidst changes Alhaj Alhaj M.H. Mohammed- Justice Ameer Ismail, Al Haj A.H.M. Fowzie- Al Haj Seyid Alavi Mowlana- Rauff Hakeem, Dr. Rizwie Sheriff, Faiz Mustapha PC, Shibly Aziz, Alhaj A.H.M. Azwer, Al Haj M. Ashraff Hussain, Macky Hashim, Hashim Omar, Mayor Omar Kamil, Al Haj Moulavi M.J.M. Riyal, Laffir Cassim, Basheer Segudawood, Dr. H.M. Abdul Hai, Kabeer Hashim, Shafeek Rajabdeen, M.T.A. Furkhan, S.H. Mohammed, Hussain Mohammed among many others continue to be beacons of hope of our community, rendering useful service.

Yet, I think it is that time is ripe for our present Muslim leaders, to unite for the sake of our community, to meet many impediments and challenges that are being posing.

Our youths, torchbearers of our nation and our community needs more attention- more opportunities to serve in all sectors. Muslim schools deserve services and supplies to meet modern technological software advancement.

Families living in displaced camps and slum areas urgently need reasonable but affordable homes.

Yes, these could be attained, provided our Muslim leaders channel their knowledge, expertise and influence wealthy Muslim nations to contribute towards worthy projects in fields referred to above, and not wait for the Sri Lankan government to do everything.