'Late Prof Allama M M Uwise ushered new literary culture'

The late Professor Allama M M Uwise was a catalyst among the Muslim-Sinhala communities in creating a new literary culture in the promotion of a close relationship between both communities. He was also the doyen in the field of Tamil literature, said A H M Azwer, MP addressing the 16th memorial meeting of Dr M M Uwise at Colombo Tamil Sangam, Wellawatte, on Sunday.

Making the keynote address on the late Professor, Azwer said Dr Uwise was a great emissary of peace and had he lived today, he would have been the happiest person regarding the historical role played by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in eradicating terrorism and consolidating peace despite unpatriotic elements conspiring to harm the motherland.

Azwer also announced that the family of Dr Uwise has consented to inaugurate a scholarship fund in memory of Dr Uwise to be offered to students. He also proposed that a memorial building should also be put up in his memory.

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem said that an Islamic Faculty should be started at the South Eastern University to perpetuate the memory of the late Dr Uwise. Science and Technology Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha also spoke.

Ex MLA of Tamil Nadu K Hassan Ali said that Dr Uwise's name is a household word in India. He was highly respected for his contribution to Tamil and Islamic literature through the medium of the Tamil language. S Thilainathan delivered the memorial speech. Former Secretary to the State Ministry of Muslim Affairs S H M Jameel, President of the Muslim Media Forum N M Ameen, Mani Pulavar Maruthoor Majeed and Dr Thasim Ahmed also spoke.