Appreciations

November 24, 2006 marks the 33rd death anniversary of Al Haj Dr. A.M.A. Azeez, an eminent scholar, educationist and visionary, who worked wholeheartedly towards the betterment of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. His work, especially in the sphere of Mulim education, has indeed been beneficial to the community.

Azeez was born in Jaffna on October 4, 1911. He was from a well respected and educated family. His father, S.M. Aboobucker J.P., was a leading lawyer, Vice Chairman of the Jaffna Urban Council, Quazi and first outstation President of the All Ceylon Muslim League. After his early education at Allaphichai Quran Madrasa, Vaidyeshwara Vidyalayam and Jaffna Hindu College, Azeez graduated with honours in History from the University of London in 1933. Even though he proceeded to Cambridge on a government scholarship to pursue post-graduate studies, he opted to join the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service. He was the first Muslim civil servant in this country. He never forgot his roots in Jaffna, where he received an education that made him a scholar in Tamil and a versatile exponent of both Islamic and Hindu philosophies. These gave him a broad outlook and the University of Jaffna conferred a posthumous doctorate on him at its first convocation. It is just as well that Azeez did not live to see the senseless and cruel dismembering of the Jaffna Muslim community.

He had many important positions within the Ceylon Civil Service, excelling in each and every one of them. He is best known for dedicated work in his efforts to raise the living standards of the Sri Lankan Muslim community in particular. In 1942, as Assistant Government Agent in Kalmunai, he transformed the landless Muslim farmers of the Eastern Province to land owners. The district soon became the granary of the East and continues to be so.

His main concern was with education for Muslim youth. He founded the Kalmunai Muslim Educational Society in 1942. Poverty was identified as one of the main factors which prevented many eligible and intelligent students from furthering their education. This prompted Azeez, the visionary, to initiate The Ceylon Muslim Scholarship Fund in May 1945. As of today more than 2000 deserving students, including this writer, have benefited.

To train the youth leadership and social service, Azeez inaugurated the Young Men’s Muslim Association Conference in 1950, which has numerous branches in all areas of the island.

His service in the Civil Service did not last long. After the general election in 1947, T.B. Jayah tendered his resignation as Principal of Zahira College to join the Cabinet of Ministers. The mantle fell on A.M.A. Azeez and he accepted the challenge to become the Principal of Zahira with hope and enthusiasm. Azeez has left indelible footprints in the sands of time, and Zahira College is one among many.

I was a fifth standard student at Zahira and watched with awe when two stalwarts, T.B. Jayah and A.M.A. Azeez were walking the school grounds on the morning of August 23, 1948, when Azeez ceremoniously accepted the principalship of Zahira. In the evening, the first major event presided by the new principal was the unveiling of the portrait of Jayah by the Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at the Ghafoor Hall. This was truly a historic day for Zahira.

Azeez exhibited his efficient administration and outstanding leadership qualities by grooming Zahira into one of the leading schools in the country. The achievements in a very short spell of his career are unparalleled. Zahira excelled in education, sports and other extra-curricular activities such as music and drama. In his own words, “Zahira was the radiating centre of Muslim culture, thought and activities”.

For the benefit of the students, various associations were formed such as the Science Club, Curia Historica, Iqbal Society, Sinhalese Society, Dramatic Society, Art Club etc. Being a Tamil scholar, Azeez encouraged the Tamil Manram resulting in a fine crop of Zahirians who later dominated in literature and other fields in Tamil. Fresh ideas applicable to Zahira such as the Students' Council were introduced soon after his tour of the USA on a Smith-Mundt scholarship in 1952. The Cultural Centre too was built in the College premises which accommodated the Islamic library, publication bureau and an Islamic research centre. All these were formulated towards achieving Azeez’s final goal of establishing at Zahira a Muslim Cultural University in the lines of the Vidyodaya, Vidyalankara and Hindu Cultural Universities. Those around him were able to see his mission but unfortunately the dream was shattered when the foolhardy among the community failed to follow through with this great leader’s vision resulting in the state Zahira is in today.

Though his dream was not fulfilled and denied to him in his country, Azeez’s contribution to education was recognized in neighbouring India. Just two months before his death he was invited to inaugurate the Tamil Nadu Muslim Educational Conference in Madras and was honoured with a “Golden Shawl”. Being a visionary the disappointment did not stop him from imparting his knowledge and experience in founding the Jamiah Naleemiah. He gave his expertise to this Institute until Allah called him back from this world prematurely. Inna Lillahi Wainnah Ilaihi Rajioon.

Dr. A.M.A. Azeez has set an unparalleled record and will be remembered as a distinguished scholar, a comptent administrator, renowned educationist and above all as a man of unquestionable honesty and integrity. He was a modest, unassuming and humble gentleman approachable at any time by anyone. His achievements, deeds and dedication will be an example to present day leaders of all communities. He is the only Sri Lankan to be honoured by his inclusion in the “100 Great Muslim Leaders of the 20th Century” published by the Institute of Objective Studies in India.