The Forty Second Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Commemoration Meeting and the Memorial Oration were held on Thursday 26th November 2015 at 4.30 p.m. at The Excellency, 4, Charlemont Road, Colombo 6. As usual it was a well attended and a dignified function.
The Meeting was jointly presided by Mr. Khalid M. Farouk, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and Mr. Sadique M, Saleem, National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference.
The Meeting commenced with the recital of Qirath followed by Kathamul Quran/Dua by Hafiz Moulavi S.M. Rizwan Bahji of the Grand Mosque, Colombo..
Mr. Farouk welcomed the guests and spoke briefly on the formation and objectives of the Foundation, and paid a tribute to Marhoom S.H.M. Jameel. He thanked the YMMA for their continued support from the very inception and Eng. A.G.A. Barrie for his generous support. He thanked Prof. Anes for accepting the invitation to deliver the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Memorial Oration.
Mr. Saleem spoke on the formation, objectives, achievements and significant contributions made by the YMMA to the community over the last 65 years.
The Memorial Oration was delivered by Prof. M.S.M. Anes, Retired Professor of Philosophy, University of Peradeniya and Chairman of the All Ceylon Muslim Educational Conference, on the subject “Muslim Modernism and Reformative Process in the Field of Education, a Sri Lankan Experience”. It was an educative and inspiring oration on the subject. The excellent Oration was well received by all.
A memento was presented to Prof. Anes by Mr. P. Balasingham, Committee Member of the Foundation and an old boy and teacher at Zahira College during the Azeez era, in appreciation of delivering the Memorial Oration.
The release of the book “Islamic Banking – An Alternate Approach to Finance” by Mr. A.I. Marikar published by the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation was introduced.
Mr. A.I. Marikar is a retired Banker and a Consultant in Islamic Banking. The book is a source of help to those who wish to gain a knowledge and understanding about the theoretical and practical aspects of Islamic Banking. The Foreword is by Dr. M.A.M. Shukri, an old Zahirian of the Azeez era and an Islamic scholar.
Mr. Marikar is an authority on Islamic Banking and has expanded on the subject of the Dr. Azeez Memorial Oration he delivered in 2014. The Dr. Azeez Foundation published this book as it was felt that the subject matter is of importance today. The author Mr. Marikar is an old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era.
The first copy was presented by Mr. A.I. Marikar to Prof. M.S.M. Anes. He presented copies of the book to Mr. Trizviy Marikar, Principal of Zahira College, Colombo and Eng. A.G.A. Barrie.
The release of the book “A.M.A. Azeez – Milestones to Remember” Edited by Mr. M. Ali Azeez published by the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation was introduced.
The book edited by Mr. Ali Azeez, son of Dr. A.M.A. Azeez, covers academic and other achievements in Dr. Azeez’s life, and original certificates and documents preserved by him are reproduced with relevant photographs. It was felt that these documents should be published now, otherwise they may not be known to others.
The first copy was presented by Mr. Ali Azeez to Eng. A.G.A. Barrie, who has sponsored the publications of the Foundation. He presented copies of the book to Prof. M.S.M. Anes and Mr. Trizviy Marikar, Principal of Zahira College, Colombo.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Eng. A.G.A. Barrie, a distinguished old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era and an International Project Consultant. He thanked the Dr. Azeez Foundation for giving him the privilege of proposing the vote of thanks.
He spoke on Marhoom S.H.M. Jameel, who passed away unexpectedly on 27th April 2015, and mentioned the yeoman service rendered by him to the Dr. Azeez Foundation, particularly with regard to the publications released by the Foundation. This was possible with Marhoom Jameel’s wide experience, and the records meticulously preserved by Dr. Azeez. May Allah grant Jameel Jennathul Firdouse.
Mr. Barrie thanked Prof. Anes for delivering the informative and interesting Memorial Oration on education, which was the forte of Dr. Azeez.
Mr. Barrie thanked Al Haj Shajahan, the owner of The Excellency, for giving the hall free of charge to hold the Commemoration Meeting, an excellent gesture. Also, to the General Manager, Mr. Saldin and his staff for the arrangements. He also thanked Prof. M.T.A. Furkhan for his efforts in this regard.
Mr. Barrie thanked the Members of the Committees of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for organizing the Meeting and making it a success..
Mr. Barrie spoke about Dr. Azeez and his close relationship with him from student days. He added that he owes his success in life to Dr. Azeez and remembers him in all his prayers. There were many who admired the candid sentiments expressed by Mr. Barrie.
Finally, he thanked all those who attended the meeting to make the event a success, and the Compere Mr. Muheed for his splendid job..
The Meeting ended with the recital of Salawath.
The YMMA hosted all those present with refreshment and drinks.
The Compere was Mr. M.F.S. Muheed who did an excellent job as usual.
DR. A.M.A. AZEEZ COMMEMORATION MEETING 2015
(Reported in the Financial Times of 5.12.2015)
