The Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Commemoration Meeting and the Memorial Oration were held on Tuesday 27th November 2018 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. Khalid M. Farouk, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and Mr. M.N.M. Naphiel, National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference.
The Meeting commenced with the recital of Qirath followed by Kathamul Quran and Dua by Moulavi Mohamed Arshad Jalaldeen, Katheeb of the Maradana Mosque.
Mr. Khalid Farouk welcomed the guests and spoke briefly on the achievements of Marhoom Dr. A.M.A. Azeez. He thanked Desamanya M.D.D. Pieris for accepting the invitation to deliver the Memorial Oration on the subject of “Sinhala Muslim Relations in Sri Lanka”. He thanked the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for continuously associating with the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation to conduct this annual event. He thanked Dr. A.C.L. Ameer Ali for his very interesting article in all the English and Tamil newspapers, He also thanked Prof. Tuley De Silva, a distinguished old boy of Zahira College, for agreeing to propose the vote of thanks.
Mr. Naphiel welcomed the guests and spoke briefly on the formation of the YMMA and its founder Marhoom Azeez. He mentioned that since the sad demise of Dr. Azeez the YMMA has continued to commemorate his death anniversary from the year 1975. The first commemoration meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Mr. M.A.M. Hussain, former District Judge, and Secretary Mr. S.M. Kamaldeen. After the formation of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation the YMMA collaborated with them to organize the memorial oration every year. He said that this year we are fortunate to have a distinguished personality, Desamanya M.D.D. Pieris, as the guest speaker to deliver the memorial oration.
The Memorial Oration was delivered by Desamanya M.D.D. Pieris, formerly of the Ceylon Civil Service and Secretary to the Prime Minister, on the subject of Sinhala Muslim Relations in Sri Lanka. It was an educative and inspiring oration, tracing the harmonious relations that existed between the two communities from the times of the Sinhala Kings. The excellent Oration was well received by all. A printed copy was available for distribution.
A memento was presented to Desamanya Pieris by Mr. Khalid M. Farouk, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation, in appreciation of delivering the Memorial Oration.
The Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation published the book, A.M.A. Azeez – Speeches and Tributes edited by M. Ali Azeez and A.M. Nahiya which was released at the Meeting. It contains well researched speeches of Dr. Azeez, memorial orations and tributes by his students who have excelled in their fields. The first copy was presented to Desamanya Pieris by Mr. A.M. Nahiya and he presented copies to Prof. Tuley De Silva and Trizviiy Marikar (Principal, Zahira College).
Mr. P. Balasingham (old boy and teacher at Zahira College during the Azeez era) presented copies of the book to Mr. A.G.A. Barrie (distinguished old boy of Zahira College, International Project Consultant and ardent supporter of the Dr. Azeez Foundation) and Mr. Susil Sirivardana (distinguished former member of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service).
Mr. Ali Azeez presented copies of the book to the Egyptian Ambassador, Mr. P. Manatunga (Chairman, National Police Commission and batch mate of Ali Azeez at the University of Ceylon), Prof. M. Sornarajah (Professor of Law at the University of Singapore and a class mate of Ali Azeez from the age of 5 years at Royal College) and Dr. K. Vigneswaran (reputed irrigation engineer and political activist and a class mate of Ali Azeez at Royal College and the University of Ceylon).
Mr. M.S. Raheem (Secretary Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation) presented copies of the book to Deshabandu Macky Hashim (distinguished old boy of Zahira College, a stalwart of the YMMA and well known in business circles), Bhikku W. Rathana Thero (old boy of Zahira College during the tenure of Principals Dr. T.B. Jayah and Dr. A.M.A. Azeez) and Prof. Rezvi Sheriff (distinguished old boy of Zahira College and eminent medical specialist)..
Bhikku W. Rathana Thero spoke on his period as a student at Zahira College which he said was very valuable for his education. He traced the achievements of Dr. Azeez and paid glowing tributes to Dr. Jayah and Dr. Azeez who were his Principals. He paid a tribute to Marhoom S.H.M. Jameel and said that as President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation he rendered yeoman service to the Foundation. He proposed a Vote of Condolence and requested that it be conveyed to his family.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Prof. Tuley De Silva, an old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era who has excelled academically and well known internationally. He is the Chancellor of the Wayamba University. He thanked the Dr. Azeez Foundation for giving him the privilege of proposing the vote of thanks at this commemoration meeting of Dr. Azeez his revered Principal. He thanked Desamanya M.D.D. Pieris profusely for gracing this occasion and delivering an inspiring, interesting and informative speech and hoped that the history retraced by him will repeat itself so that we will be in a better position in future, and harmony could be rekindled for the benefit of the citizens.
Prof. De Silva spoke at length on his experiences at Zahira and the achievements of Dr. Azeez in many fields, particularly at Zahira which excelled in education and other activities. He stressed that at Zahira there were students and teachers from all communities, who lived in harmony, tolerance and friendship and added that the high standards of education and discipline introduced by Dr. Azeez have yet to be surpassed. He said that he belonged to that golden era and benefited immensely. During Dr. Azeez’s period well over 100 students entered the University of Ceylon and became academics and professionals. He said that he was in the record number who entered the University in 1956. Among them was Mr. A.G.A. Barrie, who is an international project consultant and present here today. He thanked Ven. Rathana Thero for paying a tribute to Dr. Azeez.
Finally he thanked the Principal and staff of Zahira College, the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for organizing this function. He also thanked the Dr. Azeez Foundation for publishing Dr. Azeez’s scholarly contributions which will benefit the younger generations.
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 a splendid job as usual. He is an old boy of Zahira College and President, Board of Trustees of the YMMA.
A slide show of thirty selected photos were shown before and after the meeting arranged by Mr. Shiraz Fouz.
