The Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Commemoration Meeting and the Memorial Oration were held on Tuesday 21st January 2020 commencing 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.M. Abdul Wahab, National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference.
The Meeting commenced with the recital of Qirath followed by Kathamul Quran and Dua by Hafiz Safran.
Mr. Khalid M. Farouk welcomed the guests and spoke briefly on the achievements of Marhoom Dr. A.M.A. Azeez. He thanked Dr. Farzana Haniffa for accepting the invitation to deliver the Memorial Oration on the subject of “Activism in Uncertain Times: Revisiting the ‘Good Minority’ Classification Today”. He thanked the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for continuously associating with the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation to conduct the Memorial Oration annually. He also thanked Mr. Trizviiy Marikkar, Principal of Zahira College, for agreeing to propose the vote of thanks.
Mr. Abdul Wahab 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 annually 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, Dr. Farzana Haniffa, as the guest speaker to deliver the memorial oration.
The Memorial Oration was delivered by Dr. Farzana Haniffa, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Colombo on the subject of Activism in Uncertain Times: Revisiting the ‘Good Minority’ Classification Today. It was an educative, informative and inspiring oration, tracing some of the problems faced by the Muslim community in the aftermath of independence and how they were addressed. The excellent Oration was well received by all. A printed copy was available for distribution.
A memento was presented to Dr. Farzana Haniffa by Mr. Khalid M. Farouk, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation, in appreciation of delivering the Memorial Oration.
Bhikku W. Rathana Thero spoke on his period as a student at Zahira College which he said was very valuable for his education, and referred to Zahira as his mother. 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 traced the achievements of Dr. Azeez and paid glowing tributes to Dr. Jayah and Dr. Azeez who were his Principals.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mr. Trizviiy Marikkar, Principal of Zahira College. He thanked the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and the All Ceylon YMMA Conference for organizing the Memorial Orations annually from 1975. He thanked the Board of Governors for their support in making this event a success.
Mr. Marikkar paid a glowing tribute to Marhoom Dr. A.M.A. Azeez and recollected his achievements at Zahira College during his tenure as Principal for 13 years, notably that over 150 students entered the University of Ceylon. He said that Dr. Azeez toiled hard to leave a legacy for all to benefit in the progress of Zahira College. He thanked Dr. Farzana Haniffa for her excellent oration and Bhikku Rathama Thero, a distinguished old Zahirian, for his brief speech.
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.
It must be noted that the annual commemoration meeting usually held in November was postponed due the Presidential elections held in November 2019.
