The Thirty Ninth Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Commemoration Meeting and the Memorial Oration were held on Thursday 4th October, 2012 at 4.30 p.m. at the Ghaffoor Hall, Zahira College, Colombo 10. As usual it was a well attended and a dignified function.
The Meeting was jointly presided by Mr. S.H.M. Jameel, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and Mr. K.N. Deen, National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference.
The Meeting commenced with the recital of Qirath followed by Kathamul Quran/Dua by learned Moulavis.
Mr. Jameel welcomed the guests and spoke briefly on the objectives of the Foundation and thanked the media, YMMA and others for their continued support.
Mr. Deen spoke on the formation, objectives, achievements and significant contributions made by the YMMA to the community over the last 62 years.
The Memorial Oration was delivered by Dr. M.A.M. Shukri, B.A. (Hons.), PhD (Edin), Director, Jamiah Naleemia, Beruwela on the subject of “Relevance of Iqbalian Philosophy to Contemporary Issues”. It was an educative and inspiring oration and the admiration by Dr. Azeez of Allama Iqbal was highlighted. The excellent Oration was well received by all.
A memento was presented to Dr. Shukri by Mr. Khalid M. Farouk, Secretary of the Foundation, in appreciation of delivering the Memorial Oration.
A reprint and second edition of Dr. Azeez’s book, “Arabu Thamil Enkal Anpu Thamil”, written in Tamil on Arabic-Tamil by Dr. Azeez in 1973, was released. The first copy was presented to Dr. Shukri by Mr. P. Balasingham, an old boy and later a teacher at Zahira College, Colombo during the Azeez era. Dr. Azeez’s interest in Arabic-Tamil was from his school days in Jaffna influenced by his paternal uncle, Asena Lebbe Alim Pulavar, a Tamil scholar and an authority on Arabic-Tamil. Dr. Azeez encouraged the reaearch on Arabic-Tamil but he was not able to pursue due to his untimely demise. In fact the book was written few months before his death in November 1973. The Foreword in the second edition of the book was expanded by Mr. S.H.M. Jameel giving a history of Arabic-Tamil. The release of the book is timely to encourage the interest, research and study of Arabic-Tamil.
A gift of appreciation to Mr. M.F.S. Muheed for compering the commemoration meetings over the past years, was presented by Mr. Jiffry Haniffa, Principal of Zahira College, Colombo. Mr. Muheed was an old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era and continues to be a very active member of the YMMA.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mr, Cader M. Ali, an old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era. He is a very active member of the YMMA and had held key posts in the organisation.
The Meeting ended with the singing of the National Anthem and the recital of Salawath.
The YMMA hosted all those present with refreshment and drinks.
The Compere was Mr. M.F.S. Muheed who did a splendid job as usual.
A slide show of thirty selected photos were shown before and after the meeting arranged by Mr. Shiraz Fouz.
It was significant to note that six out of seven persons on the head table were old boys of Zahira College during the Azeez era. They were Dr. M.A.M. Shukri, M/s S.H.M. Jameel, K.N. Deen, Khalid M. Farouk, Cader M. Ali and P. Balasingham. The only exception was Mr. Jiffry Haniffa, Principal of Zahira College.
