The 37th Commemoration Meeting and the Memorial Oration were held on Wednesday 24th November, 2010 at 4.30 p.m. at the Ghaffoor Hall, Zahira College, Colombo 10.
The Meeting was jointly presided by Mr. S.H.M. Jameel, President of the Dr. A.M.A. Azeez Foundation and Mr. Nadvi Bahaudeen, National President of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference.
The Meeting commenced with the recital of Qirath followed by Kathamul Quran/Dua by Quari M.H.M. Faizal (Quadri).
Mr. Jameel welcomed the guests and spoke on the history, aims and objects of the Foundation. He said that the YMMA had organized such annual meetings from 1974, and thanked them for honouring their Founder in a fitting manner.
Mr. Bahaudeen spoke on the formation, objectives and contributions of the YMMA.
The Website www.azeezfoundation.com was launched by Mr. A.G.A. Barrie, who gave an introduction and the importance of the website in showing the vast contributions made by Dr. Azeez in many spheres, which can now be viewed by persons throughout the world. He thanked Mr. Shiraz Fouz for designing the website.
The Memorial Oration was delivered by Dr. Devanesan Nesiah Ph.D. (Harvard), C.C.S. (Retd.) on the subject of “National Identity and Resettlement Issues of Muslims”. It was a timely and inspiring speech on the problems of the Muslims.
A Memento was presented to Dr. Nesiah by Mr. Khalid M. Farouk, Secretary of the Foundation, in appreciation of delivering the Memorial Oration.
A Sinhala book “A.M.A. Azeez – Charitha Satahanak” (translaton of “A.M.A. Azeez – A Profile” published in 2007) was released and the first copy was presented to Ven. W. Rathana Thero, an old boy of Zahira College from 1946 to 1950 who graced the occasion. He spoke of his gratitude to ‘Mother Zahira’ and commended the contributions made by his two Principals Dr. T.B. Jayah and Dr. A.M.A. Azeez. He referred to Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara too for his introduction of free education. He gave a brief introduction to Buddhism on the four Precepts Metha, Karuna, Muditha and Upeksha.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mr. Rajindra C. Ratnapuli C.Eng., an old boy of Zahira College during the Azeez era who came from Canada to attend the meeting. He thanked Dr. Nesiah for delivering the Oration and all those concerned in organizing the meeting. He said that he visited Zahira after forty years and reminisced of the memorable assemblies in the Hall on every Monday morning, listening to the inspiring speeches of Dr. Azeez. He made a significant point in that our country lacks leaders today of the calibre of Dr. Azeez.
The Meeting ended with the recital of Salawath.
The YMMA hosted all those present with refreshments and drinks.
The Compere was Mr. M.F.S. Muheed who did a splendid job.
