Sri Lanka Genealogy Website

Ceylon Moor Ladies Union

The Ceylon Moor Ladies Union (CMLU) was formed in 1936 by a group of 11 Muslim women with a vision – to address the needs of women and children in an era where the voice of women of this small ethnic group in Sri Lanka was rarely heard. With this objective in mind the Ceylon Moor Ladies Union has spearheaded several effective projects targeting underprivileged women in Sri Lanka.

The Ceylon Moor Ladies Union is a government approved charitable organization. CMLU is incorporated by the Parliament of Ceylon by Act No. 27 of June 1968 and recognized as a government approved charity by gazette no 305 v.

CMLU has contributed immensely to the welfare of the underprivileged segment of the society since 1936. Over the years the CMLU conducted several social service projects, fund raising activities and has hosted various educational courses and programs for women. Throughout the decades, the CMLU has placed a great importance in providing emergency assistance to respond to the immediate and urgent needs of the innocent victims of both conflict and natural disasters. In the recent past, CMLU has extended their emergency assistance program to support livelihood recovery of displaced persons to help them in their reintegration and rehabilitation.

Muslim Ladies College

Muslim Ladies College is known and recognized in Sri Lanka as the premier state educational institution for Muslim Girls. It is located at No 22, Kensington Gardens, at Colombo 04 and was started in 1941 by the Ceylon Moor Ladies' Union on land and buildings donated by Sir Razik Fareed. A school that started with twenty six pupils, has a student population of 2800+ to date and a tutorial staff of 109. It has a student hostel. The school has completed almost 60 years of dedicated service to the cause of Muslim girls' education. The school follows the educational ideals of a good citizen and upholds a life of purity, discipline and service exemplified by the highest and the noblest in Muslim Womanhood. Students are given the opportunity to participate in planning sharing and managing school activities which would give them the experience to perform to the best of their ability and to develop the confidence and self understanding so necessary for a full and satisfying life.

Mrs. Aysha Rauf, the first Principal of the school stated in a book titled, “This Man Razik”, as follows:

“ At a time when Ceylon Moor Ladies’ Union was struggling to find ways and means to start a school for Muslim girls it was Sir Razik Fareed who came to their rescue by placing at their disposal half an acre of land with four blocks of temporary buildings – premises provided with all facilities, water, drainage and lights and all mind you free of rent, in fact the good and worthy cause – Education of Muslim girls in the name of their long lost only child Hajara…………….

Thus the Muslim Ladies’ College is a pet theory put into practice by Sir Razik (then Mr. A. R. A. Razik).”

Home for Girls

In March 1978 CMLU was instrumental in setting up a Home for Orphaned, abandoned, destitute and refugee girls, who needed a home to live, grow and learn. A purely voluntary service managing activities that care and provide for the inmates.

CMLU also implements a sponsorship Programme to reach the needy girls of single parent families who have a place to live. This encourages girls to grow up in their own family environment in the society. Monthly financial assistance and educational material are provided.

Endowment Fund

It is a programme to provide interest fee loans for widows to enable them to be self employed at home while taking care of their children. After a three month grace period the recipient returns a minimum amount affordable on a monthly installment basis.

Almaz Islamic Nursery

CMLU ventured on a new project by accepting the Almaz Islamic Nursery School, from the Kirillapone Jumma Mosque Association. The school provides the basic educational needs with an Islamic foundation for Muslim children in the vicinity since January 2002. A nominal fee is charged to cover up the overhead expenses.

Tsunami Projects

Several projects coordinated by the CMLU together with various partners are already underway in the South and the East of Sri Lanka.

Sponsorship

Over 100 children from the south and the east, who lost both or either parents, are receiving a monthly allowance to be utilized for their education, medical, daily expenses.

Special Project for 2009 for the Children of the Home

Though, school-age children need time and space to let off steam and relax after a day at school; the garden space available for this purpose is limited. Hence, the committee has proposed to put up a recreation area on the roof top of the existing building. This set up will be providing adequate space for both active and quiet play. The proposed project with equipment will cost us around Rs.3 million. Part of the fund has already been collected.

‘HELP TO HELP’ Charity Shop - Income Generating Project

Ceylon Moor Ladies’ Union is committed to offering women a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many children and families in needy communities. Our fund raising activities and community outreach projects touch the lives of many needy children and help to develop the leadership potential of the women. With this in mind Alhamdulillah CMLU launched its “HELP TO HELP” project in August 2009. It’s a charity shop marketing the items produced mostly by women who were supported under the livelihood programme and handicraft items produced by the children of our home.  

Hope this venture will attract the kindness in the hearts of our People and patronized by all to make “HELP TO HELP” a success to reach many more in need Insha Allah .

Contact Person : Ummul K Zahid - Hon. Secretary - 
Tel : 077 3166580 (Mobile) 2735137 (Land line) email: ummulzahid@gmail.com