In the hectic transitional age in the progress of Sri Lanka from a British crown colony through a period of semi-self-rule to a free and independent nation, a few names stand out as leaders of undisputed versatility. They made lasting contributions and offered leadership in a variety of fields at one and the same time through their multiple talents. One of the spectacular icons in that comity of rara avis was A. M. A. Azeez who was recently selected to be appraised in a prestigious international publication as one of the hundred Muslim leaders of the world in the twentieth century. His unique record of achievements in provincial administration and rural development, national food drive during war years, expansion of high quality education especially of the urban Muslim youth, community leadership in the political scene and legislation, and promotion of scholarship through research and publication do certainly merit this remarkable honour.
I met Senator Azeez in 1954 at the request of the then Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala. It was to invite him to be a speaker at a public ceremony in October 1954 to inaugurate the national celebration of Buddha Jayanti to mark the 2500th anniversary of the death of the Buddha and the founding of the nation. It was the Prime Minister’s idea that the national event should involve all segments of the population and Senator Azeez was the obvious choice to represent the Muslim community. He saw me in his study in the Barnes Place residence and this little cozy corner had been the venue of many hundred meetings we had as we cooperated in many fronts over nearly two decades. The ever-deepening friendship with the Azeez family has been a most enriching experience for me and my family.
Born in Jaffna and assigned to the Eastern Province as cadet of the Ceylon Civil Service, he had a first-hand knowledge and understanding of the problems, which the Muslims faced, and was deeply committed to solving them. His wife Ummu, the most charming, compassionate, hospitable and loving person she was, hailed from an affluent family descending from a distinguished Iranian diplomat accredited to Ceylon. Tall, fair, handsome and cheerful, Azeez had a genial and charismatic personality, enhanced by his exemplary humility and inimitable sense of humour. Their three children, Marina, Ali and Iqbal shared the parents’ affability and generosity. Their lovely home had thereby been the meeting place of people of all walks of life invited to social, religious, cultural and public events. It was a veritable beehive of activity.
In three areas in particular we ensured the cross-fertilization of our ideas and insights by sharing experience for mutual benefit. They were history, literature and education. Azeez was not only well–read and well–informed but also an intellectual giant on his own right. His superior skills as an orator in both English and Tamil and his facile pen made him a delightful communicator. There was no aspect of a subject on which he had no clear-cut views or an innovative approach and these had been developed through thorough reflection, critical examination and open-minded consultation. He was always ready to learn. He was never rigid or stubborn. He loved a good discussion and more controversial the better.
Once he presented his observations on colonialism highlighting how nationals of colonies responded to their contact with foreign powers. Using a series of alliterative adjectives as dazzling, disillusioned, and disenchanted to the point of dispelling, he traced the history of colonialism with specific examples. So brilliant and thought provoking was his analysis that I persuaded him to expand on it as a chapter of a book, which would deal with the Sri Lankan experience. The result was his first book, The West Reappraised, which I had the privilege of seeing through the press. Fitting skillfully to his theory and demonstrating his intellectual inclusivity, he added thumbnail sketches of the lives and careers of Arumuga Navalar, Siddi Lebbe and Anagarika Dharmapala. With this he became an author and to me it had been a rewarding experience to co-operate with him in his literary career. In turn he has played a similar role with my publications. From English, he switched to Tamil with the conviction that the new generation of young readers could be reached only through the mother tongue.
It was in the field of education that we were deeply involved because he was the foremost Muslim educator holding the prestigious position of Principal of Zahira College – a position of service for which he relinquished his career as a highly placed Civil Servant. My responsibilities in the Ministry of Education necessitated us to take some very difficult decisions and to justify them through long-drawn legal battles. Eventually Azeez was vindicated as his unswerving dedication to the cause of Muslim education was beyond doubt or question.
We also collaborated in developing legislative measures and plans for the establishment of a Muslim University on the lines of Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara. It was a pity that the political will dwindled with the change of Ministers and the project fell through. His concept of a center of higher learning deriving inspiration from the remarkable history Muslim contribution as an intellectual bridge between South Asia and Middle East would have enabled Sri Lanka to play a special role and gain leadership. His efforts, however, were not in vain as, among others, he inspired young Muslim scholars like Professor Uwise of Vidyodaya University to achieve some of the objectives.
What has been most noteworthy in Senator A. M. A. Azeez’s career is that change of governments did not affect the position of leadership that was universally recognized. Thus in later years, he was appointed to the Public Service Commission wherein his multi-dimensional experience made him a tremendous asset. His role was to ensure that justice and fair play were the foremost considerations affecting every decision pertaining to public servants. I have personally observed the effective manner in which he argued to safeguard the welfare and interests of the downtrodden and the disadvantaged.
This is an exceptional quality for which he had been always remembered by all who came to know him. Once I was amazed to see how enormous crowds of people in the Eastern Province attended the election meetings he addressed on behalf of some candidates because they recalled the unforgettable services he had rendered to the Province as a young man two decades earlier.
So Marhoom Dr. A. M. A. Azeez, Civil Servant, Educator, Senator, and Public Service Commissioner, is truly a leader to be long remembered and strongly recommended for emulation. While shining as a bright star in the galaxy of hundred Muslim leaders of the world in the twentieth century, his contribution to national development reminds us that his legacy in Sri Lanka extends beyond linguistic, religious or communal boundaries.
(Dr. Ananda W. P. Guruge was a junior colleague of Senator Azeez in the Ceylon Civil Service until his retirement on its abolition after serving as Acting Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. After having served UNESCO in Paris, New Delhi and Bangkok, and been Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to UNESCO, France and the U.S.A. as well as Spain, Algeria and Mexico, Dr. Guruge is now a leading Buddhist scholar in California, USA)
