Sri Lankan Muslim Family Genealogy
Assen Aliyar - Family 173
Assen
Ali Muhammad Nagoor Meera, the indefatigable "Nuwara
Mudalali" and his brother, Assen Ali Muhammad Merra Lebbe,
affectionately known as "Meeyanna Mudalali", were two
enterpreanours who made a determined effort in successfully
entering the closed and well-protected citadel of trade in
Colombo wherein the British had firmly entrenched
themselves.
Nagoor
Meera and Meera Lebbe were born at Kongaraya Kurichchi, a
predominantly Muslim hamlet close to the Mofussil township
of Eral in the Tirunelvely District at the Southern
tiphafeera of Tamil Nadu in South India Many were the
Muslims of South India who came to ceylon in pursuit of
trade as well as for the purpose of imparting the Arabic
language and also spreading Islam Meera Lebbe was barely 14
years old and Nagoor Meera a few years younger when they
first arrived in Ceylon around the second half of the 19th
Century Their father, Assen Ali, had already settled down in
the central hills of Ceylon several years back and was
successful trading in household goods and merchandise He is
believed to have spent most of his time in a place called
Kithulgala and had eventually died there.
The two
brothers, having arrived in Colombo, travelled to Rambukkana
by train, and, from there, walked all the way to Kandy Meera
Lebbe joined a bakery run by a kind-hearted Sinhala village
Mudalali His renumeration was five cents per day considered
a handsome salary in those times It was this beginning that
paved the way for the two brothers to set up their own
vegetable and supplies business in Kandy after a few years
when they were almost in their early twenties They were
readily assisted by the wealthy Kandyan Sinhala traders who
recognized the enterpreneurship amongst the young lads.
In 1886,
Nagoor Meera set up vegetable wholesale business under the
business registration of AM Nagoor Meera & Company, at a
sprawling complex at Gas Works Street in the Pettah,
opposite the old Town Hall The establishment continues to
exist, even until today (1998), having shifted its focus
from vegetables to ship chandelling and shipping agency.
Although
the British merchants were the chosen favorites of the
Colonial Government, they could hardly compete with the
dynamic Nagoor Meera who outbid them almost everywhere
possible Soon, through hard work and commitment, Nuwara
Mudalali emerged as the largest supplier of vegetables to
key government institutions and private enterprises in
Colombo The Grand Orient Hotel (GOH), one of the few star
class hotels in Colombo at that time, entry into which was
forbidden for dogs and natives, was one of the prized
customers of Nagoor Meera.
Encouraged
by the success in this wholesale trade in the Pettah, A M
Nagoor Meera expanded the scope of his business to launch a
ship chandelling agency a few years later
AM
Nagoor Meera was a person who was meticulous in his attire,
wearing a long Surat cap and sporting a well trimmed beard,
riding majestically in his twin horse carriage He was also a
great lover of sweet meats for which his home district of
Tirunelvely, in Tamil Nadu, is still famous for He had a
close friend in Colombo who was also from his hometown of
Kongaraya Kurichchi called cader Mohideen, popularly known
as “Neykara Mama” (Ghee Uncle), who lived at Kehelwatte in
Colombo’s Hultsdorf area Nagoor Meera’s business complex was
only a stones throw away from Neykara Mama’s house who
supplied him with Indian and local sweets manufactured at
his residence Nagoor Meera used to help Cader Mohideen to
clear his imported sweets at the port free of charge It is
said that Muslim businessmen in Colombo who found it
difficult to settle their debts to Nagoor Meera used to use
the kind services of Cader Mohideen to intervene on their
behalf and request for more time.
Nagoor
Meera was a great philanthropist and gave liberally to both
Muslim and Non-Muslim religious and educational institutions
and the needy without any discrimination and hesitation
whatsoever The Minan Mosque at Dematagoda Road was built by
him and was maintained by his family members after him The
office block at the Kuppiyawatte Muslim Burial Grounds was a
donation by Nagoor Meera in memory of his eldest daughter,
Ozeela Umma, who died at the young age of seventeen having
suffered an attack of typhoid One of the houses at
Dematagoda Road, where Nagoor Meera lived, was named after
Niyaz, the only son of Ozeela Umma, as “Niyaz Villa”
A wise
and far-sighted person he was, Nagoor Meera invested his
savings in real estate in Dematagoda, Maligawatte, and
Maradana Vast tracts of land, stretching from St John’s
College, Dematagoda Road to Reservoir Road – almost half of
Dematagoda – were owned by the Nuwara Mudalali.
Nagoor
Meera died in 1923 and left behind an estate valued at 21
million Rupees – a vast and unbelievable fortune at that
time He also had three sons, Muhammad Haniffa (1893-1949),
Muhammad Ishak (1901-1965), and Muhammad Zakariya who died
at the age of nineteen, two daughrters, Oseela Umma and
Faleela, who both died young His wife, Zainambu Natchiya,
died at the ripe age of 95 in 1967.
Nagoor
Meera’s elder brother, "Meeyanna Mudalali" Meera Lebbe was
the father of thirteen children, comprising five boys and
eight girls Meera Lebbe’s eldest son, Muhammad Ismail, was
the first Muslim to rise to the rank of Senior
Superintendent of Police and was also the Sergeant-at-Arms
of the first Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1947 Muhammad
Ismail’s sons were:-Professor Mahroof Ismail, first Muslim
to become the Professor of Parasitology of and the Dean of
the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sri Lanka,
Colombo Campus, Director of the Medical Research Institute,
and Chairman of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine of
Sri Lanka, Dr Ifthikhar Ismail, Muhammad Ghazzali Ismail, MR
Ismail and Dr Samad Ismail of Kandy
Assen Aliyar
1 AHM Meera Lebbe (Meeyanna Mudalali) + Aynoor
(Kandy)
A
H M Meeera Lebbe [pic sent by Mariam (Cader) Hathy]
2
Muhammad Ismail Meera Lebbe [SSP, Sergeant-at-Arms
of first Parliament] + Saffiya Umma
3
Ummu Zareena Ismail + Ameen Khan (No
issue)
3
Ummu Fareeda Ismail + S. Sikkander
4
Dr. Farouk Sikkander + Fareena Adam
5 Farzard
Sikkander + Farhana Hussein
5 Imthikab
Sikkander + Nihla Zarouk
4 Dr
Fahmy Sikkander + Muneera Hamid (No issue)
4
Fowzia Sikkander + S Burah
3
Nafeesa Ismail + M.A. Cader
4
Dr. Azad Cader (decd)
4
HilmyCader + Roomie Reyal
4
Rafi Cader + Yasmin Dawood
4
Nizar Cader + Zaneera Yusoof
4 Iqbal Cader + Meneca
4
Mariam Cader + Afzal Hathy (13)
5 Nazreen Hathy
5 Arshard Hathy
4
Fazal Cader + Zareena Ahamed
3
Razik Ismail (Raju) + Haseena Yusoof
4 Marina
Ismail + Dr. Arifeen
4 Shehera
Ismail
4 Sherina
Ismail + Mohinudeen
4
Imthiyaz + Mariam Jumar
[above tree data
submitted by by Mariam (Cader) Hathy]
2 *2nd
Spouse of Ismail Meera Lebbe [SSP, Sergeant-at-Arms of first
Parliament]: + Ruqaiyya
3 Samad Ismail, Dr (Kandy) +
Shiana Ismail (23) Kandy
4
Rosemin Ismail + Moin Ahamed
4
Fathima Ismail + Nazeem (Beruwela)
4
Shanaz Ismail + Professor Kemal Deen
4
Zahara Ismail + Amanulla
3 Maharoof Ismail (Professor) +
Jezima Saheed Ahmed (219)
4 Jehaan Ismail + Laila
Aboosally (d/o the late MLM Aboosally, MP for Balangoda and
ex Minister of Labor)
5 Daughter (Name Not Known)
5 Son (Name Not Known)
4
Naushad Ismail (decd)
4
Nadiya Ismail + Nazeer
3
Muhammad Ghazzali (Leon) Ismail + Latheefa
Saheed Ahmed (219, sister of Jezima Ahmed above)
4
Azli Ismaik
4
Azeera Ismail + Huseein Esufally
3 Ifthikhar Ismail, Dr + Marina
Zulfikhar Azeez (201, 10)
4 Muhammad Murad Ismail
4 Muhammad Riyadh
Ismail
2
Badrudeen Meera Lebbe + Saburuma
2
Zulaikha Meera Lebbe, d:1968 + Muhammad
Idroos (175)
3
Ryhan Muhammad Idroos (d.1976) + Samsudeen
Mohamed Calideen (1893-1971)
4 Mohamed Calideen Mohamed
Lafir (d.1990) + Fathima Haneefa (d.1985)
5 Lafir Rifath +
Fadeeah Mohideen
5 Lafir Anam
+ Sahani Sally
5 Yameena Lafir +
Abdul Karim
4 Mohamed Calideen Mohamed
Faacy (d.1962)
4 Mohamed Calideen Mohamed
Mackie. (d.1986) + Iynul
Hinaya (decd)
5 Mackie Iflal +
Name not known
5 Mackie Iqbal +
Name not known
5 Mackie Inham +
Name not known
4 Sithy Fathima Calideen
(d.1984) + Ahamed Mohideen Mohamed Hameem (d.2003)
5 Zulfica Hameem +
Hilmy Sulaiman
5 Hajara Hameem +
Mohamed Cassim Farook
5 Fahima Hameem +
Nizam Ahamed
5 Farahana (Rehana)
Hameem + Firzie Razeen
4 Sithy Khadija Calideen (decd)
4 Mohamed Calideen Mohamed
Nalim (decd)
4 Sithy Rukayya Calideen
(d.2015) + Azeez Ali Talib Ali
5 Azeez Ali +
Zeenath
5 Azad Ali
(Gazzali) + Muzeera
4
Ummu Kulthoom Calideen + Mohamed Nizam Ismail
(d.2009)
5 Siraj Ismail +
Nazeera Sirajudeen
5 Rumy Ismail +
Shahani Salahudeen
5 Azra Ismail + UTM
Anver
5 Ryhana Ismail +
Rumie Izzadeen
3 Ryhan Muhammad Idroos
3 [64]
Ummu Kulzoom Muhammad Idroos + [63]
Nagoor Meera Muhammad Ishak
4
Sithy Ayesha Ishak + [4]
M.I.M. Nilar, Dr. (s/o Ismail)
5 Kulzoom Nilar +
[6] Abu Bakr Mohideen MSc
6 Amanah Mohideen
6 Aman Mohideen
4 Abdul Qadir Ishak
4 Muhammad Haleem Ishak +
[11] Sithy Ummu Hafeera Haniffa
5 Haniffa Ishak +
[29] Shanaz Deen
6 Hisham Ishak
6 Shamila Ishak
5 [4] Ummu Kulzoom Ishak +
[5] Rumy Muhammad
6 Asaf Muhammad
d:1999
6 Amjad Muhammad
5 Mahakoom Ishak +
[26] Azhar Hamdoon
6 Azam Hamdoon
6 Aida Hamdoon
5 Qadir Ishak +
[33] Rifa Hussain
5 Fathima Zulaikha
Ishak + (34) Ahmed Fariz Fahmy Syed
Abbas (113,221)
6 Fathima
Shaheema Fahmy
6 Fathima Shaheeda Fahmy
4 [66] Sithy Mariyam Ishak +
[65] Muhammad Salih Muhammad
5 [67] Obaidul Akram Muhammad
5 [68] Qadir Ishak Muhammad
5 [69] Kulzoom Muhammad
4 [70] Sithy Fathima Ishak
2
Zohara Meera Lebbe + Hameed
2
Anjan Meera Lebbe + Yousoof
2
Raila Meera Lebbe + Ibrahim
2
Rukaiyya Meera Lebbe + Majid
2
Marliya Meera Lebbe + Ismail
2
[21] Mohammed Abdul Razzak Meera Lebbe + [22]
Marhooma Haniffa
3 [48] Ahmed Hasan Ali Razzak +
Ummu Raziya Razzak (191)
4 [49] Ehab Razzak +
Rizviya
4 [50] Shafi Razzak
4 [51] Haseena Razzak
4 [52] Mohamed Ali Fatima Razak + Mohamed Zahir Navaz BSc, CEng
5 [53] Nadia Navaz MSc + Riza Bawa
6 Aishah Bawa
6 Ibraheem Bawa
5 [54] Azad Navaz, Automobile Engineer(MSc) + Fazana Navaz
6 Zayd Navaz
6 Imaan Navaz
5 [55] Shanaz Nawaz + Adrian Josey (Jamal)
6 Peris Eesa Josey
6 Safia Maria Josey
3 Muhammad Abdul Azeez
Razzak Dr [MBBS] + Hamziya Muhammad Nalir
3 Ahmed Mohiyudeen Yahya Razzak
+ Nazreen Zaheer
2
Abideen Meera Lebbe
2
Ummu Thahira Meera Lebbe + Jumar
2 Balkis
(Marjooma) Meeya Lebbe + Sheikh Sulaiman of Makola (s/o TP
Kassim and Sithi Noorani of Wellawa)
3 Sithy Fathima Sulaiman, d:Feb
8 2016 + S. M. A. Hassan, Attorney at Law, Kandy
4
Shifaya Hassan
4
Neluffa Hassan (UK) + Anver Marikar
4
Dr. Fathima Hassan (Sydney) + Aslam
4
Dr. Rizvi Hassan + Dr. Erasha
Sunday Observer Feb 21 2016: Obit
SITHY FATHIMAH HASAN - Beloved wife of late
S.M.A. Hasan (Attorney-at-Law, Kandy), eldest daughter of
late Alhaj and Mrs. S. Sulaiman of Makola, loving mummy of
Shifaya, Neluffa (UK), Dr. Fathima (Sydney) and Dr. Rizvi,
mother-in-law of late Anver Maraikar, Hasan (UK), Aslam
(Sydney) and Dr. Erasha, grandmother of Ziyan, Roshan,
Nasreen, Dr. Perveen, Diyath and Chirath, sister of late
Saeed Sulaiman, late Niesha, late Rahima, late Faizal
Sulaiman, late Shahiba, Rasheed Sulaiman, Hilmy Sulaiman,
Fowzia and Basheer Sulaiman, expired on 7th February and
Janaza took place at the Katukalle Jummah Mosque in Kandy on
8th February. 582/8, Reeves Garden,
Peradeniya Road, Kandy. Tel: 081-2222183.
023974
3 [11] Sa’eed Sulaiman, MSc + [12] Sithy
Mareena Muhammad Haniffa
4 [29] Shaha Sulaiman +
[30] Sinna Hussain (189)
5 [31] Amal Hussain
5 [32] Naja Hussain
5 [33] Jamal Hussain
4 Riyaz Sulaiman + Rehana
Marikar-Bawa (62) (div)
5 Rukaiya Sulaiman
5 Raisa Sulaiman
5 Raidha Sulaiman
4 2nd spouse of Riyaz
Sulaiman: + Tania
5 Amira Sulaiman
4 Reza Sulaiman + Fareena
5 Yasmin Sulaiman
5 Hana Sulaiman
5 Saba Sulaiman
3 Neesha Sulaiman + PKS Hameed
4
Haleema + Shehan Salih (Southampton, UK)
5
Ameera Salih + Isthiaq Shafiq, m:Aug 2015 in
Colombo
3 Rahima Sulaiman + S Cader
3 [13] Rasheed Sulaiman (Retd
DIG) + [14]
Mumtaza Muhammad Haniffa
4 [15] Fathima Zainab
Sulaiman + [16] Muhammad Abdul Rahman Gaffoor, d:Fri Nov 5,
2004
5 [17] Ammar Gaffoor
5 [18] Mariam Gaffoor +
Shafraz, m:Jan 2007
5 [18a] Jameela Gaffoor
4 [19] Murad Sulaiman + [20]
Thirani Hamza (11)
5 [19a] Sa'ad Sulaiman,
b:2000
5 [19b] Ayesha Sulaiman,
b:2004
Obit: ABDUL GAFFOOR - Death is announced
of ABDUL GAFFOOR Husband of Fathima Zainab, father of Ammar
(St Joseph's College, Colombo), Mariam and Jameela (Bishop's
College), son of Marhoom Abdul Rahman and Mrs Ayesha Umma
Abdul Rahman of Kurunegala, son-in-law of Rasheed Sulaiman
(Retired DIG) and Mumtaza Sulaiman, brother of Marhoom
Farook (Central Hardware, Kurunegala), Hassan (Champa
Stores, Kurunegala), Ummu Shaheeda (UK), Isseth, Nafia,
Suhada and Sameer, brother-in-law of Murad Sulaiman (Oman),
Dr Amardeen (UK), Irshad (Retired SP), Sheriff (Manager
Lauda Airlines), Rafeekdeen (Isseth Stores, Katugastota),,
Thirani (Oman) Janaza leaves residence on 6th Nov 2004 at
1000 am from 81/7/1/1, Pahalawela Road, Thalangama,
Pallewatte to Kuppiyawatte Muslim Burial Ground DN Sat
Nov 6 2004
3 Shaiba (Titty) Sulaiman, JP, Former Matron of MLA
College, Kal-Eliya, Zahira College Maradana, MLC
Bambalapitiya, Ilma Girls’ Hostel, Kirulapone and Balapokuna
Girls’ Home + Ismeth Omerdeen
4 Shahnaaz Omerdeen + Nilam
(Jeewa)
4 Naaz Omerdeen + Seyed
4 Fathima Omerdeen + Firoze
3 Faizal Sulaiman + Mazeena
3 Fawzia Sulaiman + AHM Zubair
4 Ruzli Zubair
4 Rozmin Zubair + Name Not
KNown
4 Razni Zubair + Nizam
Mueen (187)
5 Thasneen Naeem
5 Akiel Naeem
5 son
3 Hilmi Sulaiman + Zulfika
3 Basheer Sulaiman + Sandushty
obituary:
SULAIMAN - HAJIANI SHAIBA SULAIMAN (OMARDEEN)
(Titty) JP, Former Matron of MLA College,
Kal-Eliya, Zahira College Maradana, MLC Bambalapitiya, Ilma
Girls’ Hostel, Kirulapone and Balapokuna Girls’ Home Beloved
wife of late Ismeth Omardeen, daughter of late Al-Haj Sheik
Sulaiman and Balkiss Sulaiman of Makola, daughter-in-law of
TP Kassim and Sithi Noorani of Wellawa, precious mother of
Shahnaaz, Naaz and Fathima, mother-in-law of Nilam (Jeewa),
Seyed and Firoze, beloved sister of Fathima, Saeed, late
Neesha, Rahima, Rashid, late Faizal, Fawzia, Hilmi and
Basheer, sister-in-law of late SMA Hassan, Marina, PKS
Hameed, S Cader, Mumtaz, Mazeena, late AHM Zubair, Zulfika
and Sandushty, loving grandmother of Nilshad, Shanilaaz,
Ismeth, Azmi, Aysha, Shabnam, Shameema, Sajeed and Saajida
Janaza took place at Mallawapitiya Muslim Burial Ground on
3rd January 2003 The family members wish to thank all those
who attended the funeral and assisted in numerous other
waysNo19, Kappitigala Road, Mallawapitiya, Kurunegala
[Sunday Observer Jan 12 2003]
2 Muhiyadeen Meeya Lebbe
(Manchacha)
1 AHM
Nagoor Meera (Nuwara Mudalali) + Zainambu Natchiya Idroos
b:1872 d:1967 (d/o Aachumma) (175)
2
Nagoor Meera Muhammad Cassim
2
Nagoor Meera Muhammad Haniffa, Proctor SC, MMC
b:1893 d:25-3-1949 + Ummu Hafeera Abdul Azeez ( 108)
3
Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad Munas + Sithy Fathima Sheriff
(375)
4 Feisal Munas
4 Nazli Munas + Zubair
Farooque
4 Ahamed Fazlei Munas,
d:Dec 13 2012 + Nayantara Moonesinghe, d/o the late Susil
Moonesinghe & Ganga
5 Navid Munas
5 Ashad Munas
5 Azahn Munas
MUNAS - the passing away is announced
of AHAMED FASLEI MUNAS. Beloved husband of Nayantara,
loving father of Navid, Ashad and Azahn, beloved son of the
late MHM Munas and the late Cithy Fathima, beloved brother
of Feisal, Nazli, Fasiel, Falies, Zilan, Nilaz and the late
Lizna, son-in-law of Ganga Moonesinghe. Janaza
leaving 16, Gower Street, Colombo 5 at 9 a.m. on
December 14, 2012 to Kuppiyawatte Muslim Burial Ground.
321188 DN Dec 14 2012
4 [59] Faseel Munas + [60]
Shifa Ja’afer Sadiq
5 [61] Azhar Munas, Dr
MBBS, Sydney Australia + Nabila Sameer (20), m:2010
6
Liyana Khadija, b:2017, Melbourne,
Australia
6 Rakeem Khalid Munas, b:2023
5 [62] Zahara Munas
4 Zilan Munas
4 Nilaz Munas
4 Lizna Munas
3
[56] Marhooma Haniffa + [35] Muhammad Zainudeen Muhammad
Niyaz (Madar) (38)
4 [36] Fahmy
Niyaz, d:Apr-1967 + Rushdi Uvais (2nd Spouse of Rushdhi
Ovais + Hilmy Bhari, children, Thurab Hilmy + Fazleena
Thurab (Yahya), grandchildren, Ahmed Aadam Thurab, Ahmed
Yusuf Thurab, Azrah Maryam Thurab)
5
[37] Omar Fahmy MMgt, New Zealand b:20 Feb 1964+ Fathima
Niyaza Fahmy
(nee Mukthar), b:6 Jan 1968,
m:28 Jun 1994
6 [39] Noor Safra Catherine Fahmy, b:13Apr 1997
6 [40] Noor Sara Fahmy,b:12 Nov 1998
5 [38] Athif Murad
Fahmy AICM, MABE (UK), EDBA
(University of Colombo), b:11 Feb 1965,d:29 Jan 2022 + Shaharan Amra
Fahmy (nee Yakeem),
b:25 Apr 1965, m:29 May 1988 (227)
6 [42] Amira Talia Fahmy AMABE (UK)
4 [39] Iqbal Niyaz + Jean
5 [40] Zanhuba Iqbal
5 [41] Razzak Iqbal
4 [39a] Thulba Niyaz + Ferayal
Uvais
5 [44a] Azra Niyaz + Hisham
Sheriff
6 [44] Suraiya Sheriff
6 [45] Azam Sheriff +
Saidiya Noordeen, m:2015 in Colombo
5 [46] Tharik Niyaz
5 [47] Zahara Niyaz
3 *2nd
Spouse of [22] Marhooma Haniffa + [21] Muhammad Abdul Razzak (s/o AHM Meera Lebbe)
4 [48] Ahmed Hasan Ali Razzak +
Ummu Raziya Razzak (191)
5 [49] Ehab Razzak +
Rizviya
5 [50] Shafi Razzak
5 [51] Haseena Razzak
4 [52] Mohamed
Ali Fathima Razzak + Mohamed Zahir Nawaz BSc, CEng
5 [53] Nadia Nawaz MSc +
Shaha Riza Bawa
6 Aishah Bawa
6 Ibraheem Bawa
5 [54] Azad Navaz,
Automobile Engineer (MSc) + Fazana Nawaz
6 Zayd Nawaz
6 Imaan Nawaz
5 [55] Shanaz Nawaz +
Adrian Josey (Jamal)
6 Peris Eesa Josey
6 Safia Maria Josey
4
Muhammad Abdul Azeez Razzak Dr [MBBS] (MRI) + Hamzia
Muhammad Nalim (d/o MLM Nalim & Mrs U R Nalim, see obit
below)
NALIM - M.L.M. (Retired Electrical
Engineer - C.E.B.), loving husband of Mrs U.R. Nalim, father
of Kareema (U.S.A.), Prof. Razi (U.S.A.), the late Zeena,
Hamzia, Ameena (Sharjah), Azmiya (Canada) & Azad
(Amana), brother of late Sithy Zahira, late Amir, late Dr
M.L.M. Anver, father-in-law of Prof. Jawahir (U.S.A.),
Rafeela (U.S.A.), Reffai, Dr Razzak (M.R.I.), Dr Anil
(Sharjah), Faizal (Canada) & Silmia, brother-in-law of
late Ibrahim, Justice Jameel, Ismail (Tudawe Brothers).
Janaza took place on 7th July 2006 at 5.30 p.m. 175, Quarry
Road, Dehiwela.
4 Ahmed Mohiyudeen Yahya
Razzak + Nazreen Zaheer
3 Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad
Muwafique
3 Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad
Zackariya
3 Muhammad Haniffa Mohamed
b:15-06-1921, d:June 2016, m:Apr-1944 MMC (1947-1967), Mayor
(1960-1963) + Noor Naseema Abdul Hameed (80)
4 Muhammad Hussain Mohamed
b:5-Apr-1945 + Ayesha Hadi (259)
5 Jisthi Hussain + Sherine
Mahboob (Weligama)
6 Atheeq Mohammed
6 Aneeq Mohammed
6 Jameema Mohammed
5 Jihara Hussain
4 Ummu Mohamed + Muhammad
Naas Haniffa, Dr (13,112)
5 Dr Ruwaiz Haniffa + F Sabeera
Hashim (323)
6 M Shaheer Haniffa + Zainab Hassen
6 F Hafsa Haniffa + Name Not Known
5 Sumaiha Haniffa + Rafat
Hashim (323)
6 M Ajwad
Hashim + Mariam Marzook
6 Dr Salma Hashim +
Usama Ghouse
4 Thufa Mohamed + Fairoze
Shahul Hameed (77, 172)
5 Firaz Hameed + Shazinaz Kamil
(172)
6 Saaraa Hameed + Ihraz
Fouz, s/o Liyaul Fouz & Firdousiya, formally from
Dickwella now residing in Melbourne, Australia
7 Adam Fouz
7 Kaira Fouz
5 Faheem Hameed
5 Fayyad Hameed
5 Fazal Hameed + F Halima Hashim
(323)
6 Shaakir Hameed
6 Sa'ad Hameed
6 Zara Hameed
5 Fawaz Hameed + Sherana
Abdulla
6 Aaqib Hameed
6 Aahid Hameed
5 Farha Hameed + Ibrahim
Saleem
6 Jamal Saleem
6 Sabiha Saleem
4 Hassan Mohamed + Jezmin
Jabir (d/o SM Jabir, Beruwela) (50, 112)
5 Shazmin Hassan
5 Hifaz Hassan
4 Azahim Mohamed + Minna
Ibrahim (93)
5 [57] Usma Azahim + [58]
Afzal Usman Ziard
6 Fathima Sabeena Usman
6 Fathima Yasmin Usman
5 Shazida Azahim + Ahmed
Aslam
6 Fathima Mariam Aslam
6 Omar Aslam
5 Fathima Fahimah Azahim +
Dr Shamil Mubarak, son of Dr Mubarak and Zeemara (d/o
Architect Rahim & Fowzia) UK, m:Aug 2012
6
Ayaad Mubarak
6
Zayyan Mubarak
6 Yara Mubarak, b:2022
4 Haniffa Mohamedd +
Mahfoosa Jaleel
5 Shazma Haniffa
5 Shaza Haniffa
5 Shadiya Haniffa
4 2nd spouse of [201]
Haniffa Mohamedd + Aiynul Mazeeya Razik, d/o Abdual Azeez
Muhamed Razik (Naqusha Bandiya) of Mavilmada Kanday
(No
issue)
4 Shahul Hameed Mohamed +
Fathima
Farhath Fouz (10,13)
5 Shaaz Muhammad + Ruzaina
Hadgie
6 Hamza Muhammad
5 Amra Muhammad + Name Not
Known
6 Suhail
5 Aaliya Muhammad + Imadh
Marikkar, m:Aug 2015 in Colombo
5 Naseema Muhammad
4 Shaha Mohamed,
d:28-Sep-2001 + Rasheed Jamshed Ariff (77)
5 Rehab Ariff + Minza
6 Shahima Ariff + Karam
Sufi Ismail
6 Yumna Ariff
5 Shihab Ariff + Shezrin
6 Shaha Ariff
6 Shazad Ariff
6 Shifrah Ariff
6 Shabeer Ariff
5 Rifad Ariff + Shazra Reza
6 Raa'ed Ariff
6 Inara Ariff
5 Ifham Ariff
3 Fathimathul Bathool Haniffa
d:1999 + Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman
4 Imtiaza Rahman + MSM
Jabir (112)
5 Fiaz Jabir
5 Inaz Jabir + Sabry Hafeel
4 Thufa Rahman + Faleel
Razzak
5 Ruzaika Faleel d:1999
5 Rekaz Faleel
5 Ghazzali Abdul Rahman + Lamya Cader
(d/o Shafeek A Cader) (80)
6
Fazlul Abdul Rahman + Safra Fowzie (101)
7 Ayyub Abdul Rahman
7 Idris Abdul Rahman
6 daughter * twins
6 Fadhil Abdul Rahman
3 Ja'afer Sadiq Haniffa MSc,
FRVA, ARICS + Fathima Hanoon Kaleel (d/o Dr MCM Kaleel)
(218, 62, 217)
4 [60] Shifa Ja’afer Sadiq
+ [59] Muhammad Faseel Munas
5
[61] Azhar Munas, Dr MBBS, Sydney Australia + Nabila Sameer
(10,20,30,46,60,70,90a,93), m:2010
6 Liyana Khadija Munas, b:2017
6 Rakeem Khalid Munas, b:2023
5 [62] Zahara Munas
4 Ayeshathul Hafsa Sadiq +
Nishtar A M M s/o Abdul Majed
5 Shaharwan Nishtar + Sinan
Hafeel s/o Onais Hafeel & Soraiya
6
Sabira Hafeel
6
Sabri Hafeel
5
Sulaiman Nisthar + Nafrin Najumudeen d/o M L
Najumudeen & Azeeza
6
Mariha Sulaiman
6
Aamir Sulaiman
5 Sakeena Nishtar+ Altaf Jabir
s/o Noufel Jabir & Fawzia
6
Jameela Jabir
6
Nabeela Jabir
6
Ameerah Jabir
5
Salman Nishtar + Ramla Wahab, so Ajmal Wahab
& Zohara
6
Kalaam Salman
5
Dawood Nishtar + Hajara Yaqoub d/o Yaqoub
Nalim & Faadhiya
6
Aaminah Dawood
5
Haleema Nishtar + Bishri Azeer s/o M N M
Azeer & Farina
4
Omer Maqbul Sadiq + Husna
Saleem d/o Mohamed Saleem & Bathool
5
Sadiyah Omer
5
Amaarah Omer
5
Luqman Omer
4
Fathima Sara Sadiq + Dr.Rizvi Salih s/o M M Salie
& Khairul Fathima
5
Saadiq Salih
5
Amanah Salih
4 Mosadiq Ali Sadiq + Kim Branch
d/o Michael D Branch & Sheila
5
Reuben Ali
3 Zoharathul Raika Haniffa + MHM
Iliyas, Dr (s/o ALHA Ibrahim)
4 Ifthikhar Iliyas +
Jameena Packeer Saibo
5 Asif Iliyas
5 Shehab Iliyas
5 Jehan Iliyas
4 Azad Iliyas + Ayeshathu
Thahira Affan (19)
5 Muhammad Aftab Iliyas +
Sarah Faizal (div) (20)
5
2nd spouse of Muhammad Aftab Iliyas + Azmiya
5 Athif Iliyas
5 Zickra Iliyas
4 Fazna Iliyas + MIM Fouz
(s/o AHM Ibrahim)
5 Hazmar Fauz + Nafeesa
Saheed
6 Amirah Fauz
6 Aqeel Fauz
6 Amani Fauz
5 Shezad Fauz + Ruqqaya
Namoos
6 Arwa Fauz
5 Shadiya Fauz + Shahim
Zubair
6 Aleesa Fauz
6 Sarah Fauz
3 Thufathul Mahkooma Haniffa + MYSM Buhary
4 Minha Buhary+ MYM Raoof MSc, MCIT
5 Imarah Raoof + Ismath Majeed MBA, SGA
6 Dr. Waseem Majeed + Saara Ghouse
7 Imaan Majeed
6 Tariq Majeed CPA + Sabeeha Wafik
6 Tasneem Majeed
5 Altaf Raoof + Nashath Latheef
6 Thanzih Altaf
6 Aisha Altaf
6 Maryam Altaf
4 Ummu Buhary + MBM Ziard
5 [58] Afzal Usman Ziard +
[57] Usma Azahim
6 Fathima Sabeena Usman
6 Name Not Known
3 *2nd Spouse of Thufa Haniffa +
Abdul Hameed Muhammad (Zarook) (108,174)
4 [5] Rumy Muhammad + [4]
Ummu Kulzoom Ishak
5 [6] Asaf Muhammad d:1999
5 [7] Amjad Muhammad + Name
Not Known
6 Name Not Known
3 Sithy Khadija Haniffa + MSM
Ramzeen, Dr, b:25 Sep 1918, d:11 Jan 2011 (106)
4 Zulfikhar Ramzeen + Azad
Niyas, Dr MBBS, FRCS
5 Fazli Azad
5 Aslam Azad
5 Omar Azad
4 Hafeera Ramzeen BSc +
Faiz R Mohideen BSc MEng
5 Firaz Mohideen
3 Munsir Meeran Haniffa, Dr MBBS
Acupuncturist + Ummu Zulaikha Kaleel (d/o DrMCMKaleel)
(62,80)
4 Kareen Munsif, Dr
4 Aida Munsif
3 [1] Sithy Ummu Hafeera Haniffa
+ [2] Muhammad Haleem Ishak
4 [3] Haniffa Ishak + [23]
Shanaz Deen
5 [24] Hisham Ishak
5 [25] Shamila Ishak
4 [4] Ummu Kulzoom Ishak +
[5] Rumy Muhammad
5 [6] Asaf Muhammad d:1999
5 [7] Amjad Muhammad
4 [8] Mahakoom Ishak + [26]
Azar Hamdoon
5 [27] Azam Hamdoon
5 [28] Aisa Hamdoon
4 [9] Qadir Ishak + Rifa
5 Qabil Ishak
5 son
5 daughter
4 [10] Zulaikha Ishak +
Ahmed Fariz Fahmy
5
[10a] Fathima Shaheema Fahmy
5
[10b] Fathima Shaheeda Fahmy
2 *2nd
Spouse of Nagoor Meera Muhammad Haniffa + Sithy Naseema
Abdul Hameed, d:May-12-2003 (108,174)
3 Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad
Yahya
3 [12] Sithy Mareena Muhammad
Haniffa + [11] Sa’eed Sulaiman, MSc
4 [29] Shaha Sulaiman +
[30] Sinna Hussain (189)
5 [31] Amal Hussain
5 [32] Naja Hussain
5 [33] Jamal Hussain
4 Riyaz Sulaiman + Rehana
Marikar-Bawa (62) (div)
5 Rukaiya Sulaiman
5 Raisa Sulaiman
5 Raidha Sulaiman
4 2nd spouse of Riyaz
Sulaiman: + Tania
5 Amira Sulaiman
4 Reza Sulaiman + Fareena
5 Yasmin Sulaiman
5 Hana Sulaiman
5 Saba Sulaiman
3 Rabiyathul Adhawiya Muhammad
Haniffa + Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Faleel (Proctor)
4 Salma Faleel + Issam
Salih d:2004 (10,13)
5 Ilham Salih + Haniffa
6 Aasiyah Haniffa
6 Sumaiyah Haniffa
6 Talha Haniffa
6 Mariam Haniffa
5 Yousuf Ali Salih + Hafsa
6 son
3 [14] Mumtaza Muhammad Haniffa
+ [13] Rasheed Sulaiman (Retd DIG)
4 [15] Fathima Zainab
Sulaiman + [16] Muhammad Abdul Rahman Gaffoor, d:Fri Nov 5,
2004
5 [17] Ammar Gaffoor
5 [18] Mariam Gaffoor +
Shafraz, m:Jan 2007
5 [18a] Jameela Gaffoor
4 [19] Murad Sulaiman +
[20] Thirani Hamza (11)
5 [19a] Sa'ad Sulaiman,
b:2000
5 [19b] Ayesha Sulaiman,
b:2004
3 Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad
Muwaffaque + Rosemary Ondaatjee
4 Murad Muwaffaque
3 *2nd Spouse of Muwafaqque: +
Haseena
3 Zainab Farhana Muhammad
Haniffa + Abdul Qayoom Muhammad Imamudeen
4 Muhammad Shamil Imamudeen
+ Mariam Cassim (17)
5 Haleema Imamudeen
4 Muhammad Shiham Imamudeen
+ Hafsa Hassan (20,30,46,6070,90,93)
5 Aneesa Imamdeen
5 Amal Imamdeen
5 son
4 Shameema Imamudeen +
Haniffa
5 Abdullah Haniffa
5 daughter
5 Khadija Haniffa
4 Muhammad Shiraz Imamudeen
+ Bushra
5 son
3 Muhammad Haniffa Fazlur Rahman
3 Muhammad Haniffa Fazlul Haq
3 Mariathul Qibithiya Muhammad
Haniffa, b:16 Feb 1948 + Muhammad Ashroff Hussain (189)
4 Sameeha Hussain + Shahul
Hameed Muhammad Misbah (Negombo)
5 Aman Misbah
5 Ayesha Misbah + Rashed
Dhahlan, m:2008
5 Zakir Misbah
5 Suhail Misbah
4
Abdul Qadir Hussain, b:1971 + Fathima Nadia Sameer, b:1999
(10,11,12,13,20,30,40,46,60,70,90,93)
4 Rizna Hussain* + Seyed
Salim Rifai Moulana (ex Habib Bank)
5 Safiyah Moulana, b:1994
5 Sakeena Moulana, b:1999
5 Seyed Luqman Seyed Salim
Rifai Moulana, b:Jan 2009
4 Rizni Hussain* + Fayaz B.
Maahin, Dr. (* twins)
4 Sarah Hussain + Azmil
Fawzer
5 Asma Fauzer
5 Sauda Fawzer
5 Yusuf Fauzer
2 [63]
Nagoor Meera Muhammad Ishak 1901-1965 + [64] Ummu Kulzoom
Muhammad Idroos (175)
3 Sithy Ayesha Ishak + M.I.M. Nilar, Dr. (s/o Ismail)
4 Kulzoom Nilar, BSc + Abu Bakr Mohideen MSc Eng
Management
5
Amanah Mohideen
5
Aman Mohideen
4 Meeran Nilar BSc, MSc,
MPhyl, PhD
3 Abdul Qadir Ishak
3 [2] Muhammad
Haleem Ishak, d:24-Sep-2003 + [1] Sithy Ummu Hafeera Haniffa
M HALEEM ISHAK Beloved husband of Sithy Ummu
Hafeera, son of Marhoom NMM Ishak and Marhooma Ummu Kulzoom,
son-in-law of Marhoom NMM Haniffa, Marhooma Ummu Hafeera and
Marhooma Sithy Naseema, loving father of Haniffa, Kulzoom,
Mahakooma, Kadir and Zulaika, father-in-law of Shanaz, Rumi
Mohamed, Azhar Hamdoon, Rifa and Fariz Fahmy, brother of
Marhooma Aysha, Mariyam and Marhooma Fathima, loving
grandfather of Marhoom Arshaad, Amjed, Hisham, Azam, Shamla,
Aida, Shaheema, Kabir, Shaheeda and Karim Janaza took place
on 24th September at Kuppiyawatte Muslim Burial Ground No
77, Dr NM Perera Mawatha (Cotta Road), Colombo 8 [DN
Thu Sep 25 2003]
4 [3] Haniffa Ishak + [23]
Shanaz Deen
5 [24] Hisham Ishak
5 [25] Shamila Ishak
4 [4] Ummu Kulzoom Ishak +
[5] Rumy Muhammad
5 [6] Asaf Muhammad d:1999
5 [7] Amjad Muhammad + Name
Not Known
6 Name Not Known
4 [8] Mahakoom Ishak + [26]
Azar Hamdoon
5 [27] Azam Hamdoon
5 [28] Aida Hamdoon + Name
Not Known
4 [9] Qadir Ishak + Rifa
Hussain
4 [10] Fathima Zulaikha
Ishak + Ahmed Fariz Fahmy Syed Abbas (113,221)
5
]10a] Fathima Shaheema Fahmy + S H M Jiffry Jameel, m: 29
Nov 2012
5
[10b] Fathima Shaheeda Fahmy
3 [66] Sithy Mariyam
Ishak + [65] Muhammad Salih Muhammad
4 [67] Obaidul Akram
Muhammad
4 [68] Qadir Ishak
Muhammad
4 [69] Kulzoom
Muhammad
3 [70] Sithy Fathima
Ishak
obituary: ISHAK HAJIANI
SITHY FATHIMA Beloved daughter of Marhoon
& Marhooma NMM Ishak, sister of Marhooma Aysha Nilar,
Haleem Ishak and Mariam Mohamed, sisterinlaw of Marhoom Dr
MIM Nilar, Sithy Ishak and MS Mohamed Janaza leaves
residence 77, Dr NM Perera Mawatha (Cotta Road),
Colombo 8 on 10th April 2003 at 1000 am for Burial at
Kuppiyawatte Muslim Burial Ground [April 2003]
2
Oseela Umma Nagoor Meera + Muhammad Zainudeen
Muhammad Madar (38)
3
[35] Muhammad Zainudeen Muhammad Niyaz + [56] Marhooma
Haniffa
4 [36] Fahmy
Niyaz, d:Apr-1967 + Rushdi Uvais
(2nd Spouse of Rushdhi Ovais + Hilmy Bhari, children, Thurab
Hilmy + Fazleena Thurab (Yahya), grandchildren, Ahmed Aadam
Thurab, Ahmed Yusuf Thurab)
5
[37] Omar Fahmy MMgt, New Zealand b:20 Feb 1964+ Fathima
Niyaza Fahmy
(nee Mukthar), b:6 Jan 1968,
m:28 Jun 1994
6 [39] Noor Safra Catherine Fahmy, b:13Apr 1997
6 [40] Noor Sara Fahmy,b:12 Nov 1998
5 [38] Athif Murad
Fahmy AICM, MABE (UK), EDBA
(University of Colombo), b:11 Feb 1965,d:29 Jan 2022 + Shaharan Amra
Fahmy (nee Yakeem),
b:25 Apr 1965, m:29 May 1988 (227)
6 [42] Amira Talia Fahmy AMABE (UK)
4 [39] Iqbal Niyaz + Jean
5 [40] Zanhuba Iqbal
4 [41] Razzak Iqbal
4 [39a] Thulba Niyaz + Ferayal
Uvais
5 [44a] Azra Niyaz + Hisham
Sheriff
6 [44] Suraiya Sheriff
6 [45] Azam Sheriff
5 [46] Tharik Niyaz
5 [47] Zahara Niyaz
3
2nd Spouse of Muhammad Zainudeen Muhammad
Niyaz + Binthy Huzaima
4 Dr.
Niyaz Mohamed Azad (USA) + Zulfi Azad (nee Ramzeen)
5 Mohamed
Fazli Azad + Nisha (nee Agrawal) Azad
6
Kieran Azad
6
Aliya Azad
5
Mohamed
Aslam Azad + Fathima Siham Azad
6
Sabrina Azad
6
Aamir Azad
5
Mohamed
Omar Azad
4 Niyaz
Zainul Amin + Name Not Known
4 Mehrun
Nissa Niyaz + Name Not Known
4 Zeena
Niyaz (deceased)
4 Noorul
Atheeka Niyaz + Name Not Known
2
Nagoor Meera Muhammad Zakariya
2
Faleela Nagoor Meera
NMM Haniffa & NMM Ishak
Nagoor
Meera, his brother Meera Lebbe, and their father Assen Ali,
had left behind their landed property in their home village
of Kongaraya Kurichchi when they came to Ceylon Contacts
witheir relatives back home were, therefore, lost in time
and the two brothers were busy carrying on their business
activities in far-away Ceylon This led to the caretakers of
these properties becoming the de facto owners, enjoying the
fruits None of the children of Nagoor Meera and Meera Lebbe
took any interest in staking their claims to their paternal
properties back in Tamil Nadu.
After
Nagoor Meera's demise, the herculean task of presiding over
the huge business empire, he had laboriously built over the
years, fell on tghe shoulders of his sons, NMM Haniffa and
NMM Ishak who had aklready mastered the techniques of the
old man reasonably well Haniffa gave up his lucrative legal
practice in order to devote his full time to the business,
social activities, and religious work The two brothers,
acting with wisdom and caution, built up the business in
spite of the many great challenges that came their way after
the Great Depression in the early thirties.
It was
in the late thirties that the two brothers decided to go
their own ways in business keeping the family unity and
integrity intact Haniffa chose to run AM Nagoor Meera Sons
& Company, engaged in Ship Chandelling and import &
export, while Ishaw launched AM Nagoor Meera & Son,
specializing in vegetable marketing Later on, Haniffa
established another firm called EH Mohideen & Company.
Like his
father AM Nagoor Meera, Proctor Haniffa was a keen student
of Islam and an exponent of the Tamil language and
literature Islamic scholars from various parts of the
country, and even South India, were regular visitors to
Haniffa's Dematagoda Road residence They used to conduct
regular weekend sessions between Haniffa and the visiting
Islamic scholars, seated on mats spread out on the sprawling
visitor's hall at his residence They discussed various
subjects, interpretations, meanings and connotations on
Islamic and Tamil works as well as Arabic Literature They
were also of a very high intellectual standard Some of tghem
were, Kakka Lebbe, Abdul Hassan (son of Muthuwappa Sinna
Alim sahib of Kayalpattanam in Tamil Nadu who was the Imam
of the Hanafi Jumuah Mosque in Kandy) and Idroos Moulana of
Maruthamunai in the Amparai District.
The
Tamil speaking Muslims of Ceylon should be grateful to
Haniffa for having it translated from Arabic into Tamil
Maulana Allama AK Abdul Hameed (Bhakavi), of Tamil nadu in
South India, commenced his historic task of translating the
Quran into Tamil on February 19, 1926, the first ever
attempt to meet the crying need of the millions of Tamil
speaking Muslims living in Ceylon, India, Singapore, Malaya
& Burma At that time Moulana Abdul Hameed, father of AK
Abdus Samad, the well known leader of the Tamil Nadu Muslim
League, was already 50 years old Exactly after three years
of tireless labor and extensive consultations with religious
scholars and experts, Moulana Abdul Hameed successfully
published the frist Tamil translation of Surah Al Baqarah on
February 19, 1929 Slow and unsteady flow of funds impeded
further progress of the project He tapped as many sources as
possible to complete his mission Timely financial support by
the NIzam of Hyderabad on the recommendations of his uncle,
Nawab Nazeer Yar Jang Bahadur, in 1938 enabled Moulana Abdul
Hameed to complete the translation of the entire Quran on
October 24, 1942.
By now
Moulana Abdul Hameed was 70 years old He sailed across to
Ceylon in 1946 in search of generous minded souls who could
extend a helping hand to have the translated manuscripts
printed and published It was Proctor Haniffa who generously
donated a handsome sum of Rs 50,000 for the project The
translation saw the light of day on May 1, 1949 Sadly,
Haniffa had already passed away when the historic mission
was completed and fulfilled However, his generosity was
acknowledged in the foreward of every copy of the
translation that was published ever since It is also
reported that duing the publishing phase of the project
Haniffa himself rushed to Hyderabad to bring paper that was
in shortage after WWII.
An ever
grateful Abdul Hameed sent several copies of the translated
Quran to Sithy Naseema, aniffa's second wife whom he married
after the demise of his first wife, Ummu Hafeera When
Naseema travelled to Makkah to perform Hajj in 1950,
accompanied by her oldest daughter Marhooma, she presented
copies of the Tamil translation of the Quran to the Imam of
the Ka'abah for the use of Tamil speaking pilgrims who visit
on pilgrimage They are still preserved there.
Since
then, seven editions of the Tamil translation have been
published, in 1949, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1978, 1986 and 1995
The last two publications were financed by the Rabitah
Al-Alam Al-Islami (The World Muslim Council), which has its
headquarters in Makkah, at the personal initiative and
efforts of MH Muhammad, son of NMM Haniffa
Haniffa
wa a towering personality in Colombo's social and religious
circles, although he shunned publicity It was in recognition
of his contributions to the Community that Haniffa was
inducted as a Member of the first Board of Trustees of the
Maradana Mosque, when it was incorporated in 1924, on the
personal recommendation of the Hon WM Abdul Rahman,
Legislative Councillor and father of Sir Razik Fareed A
great honor at that ripe young age, indeed!
Nevertheless,
Haniffa's
charity was not just confined to the country of his birth
alone Sithy Naseema recalled how her late husband even
helped the economically-backward Muslims across the seas "In
1946, we went to Kayal Pattanam in Tamil Nadu in South India
Though there were Madarasas (Islamic religious schools),
they were not enough to cater to the demand My husband
provided financial assistance to build a Tamil School and a
Madarasa in a Kayal Pattanam locality that was populated
with a large number of illiterate children I remember that
this institution was named "Naseema" after me" (Sithy
Naseema in an interview with the late MS Muhammad of
Thinakaran Newspaper on April 18 1991 Page 5) The people of
Kayal Pattanam still recall, with gratitude, the generosity
of Haniffa and describe the school and Madarasa as a
testimony to the committment of Haniffa to hekp the
educational development of the backward Muslim children
anywhere.
MH
Muhammad, his son stated, "When I won my first Municipal
election in 1947, I went to seek his blessings His advice to
me was,'At times of triumph and in power, be humble You must
behave in such a manner that people would have the same
regard and respect for you even in times of defeat The
people who were with you in victory should remain with you
even in times of defeat -- forever' I vowed to practise it
to its very letter and spirit in my political and private
life - never to be arrogant and uppish but to be always
accessible, considerate and listening to various voices"
Haniffa
was 56 years old when he departed this world on Friday,
March 25, 1949 he was the proud father of 21 children, 10
sons and 11 daughters; 12 by Ummu Hafeera, his first wife,
and 9 by Sithy Naseema who survived him Sithy Naseema passed
away in 2003 Her children are Yahya (deceased), Sithy Marina
(wife of Sa'eed Sulaiman BSc, Petroleum technologist),
Rabiyathul Adhawiyya (wife of SAM Faleel, Lawyer &
ex-Assistant Commissioner of Labor), Mumtaza (wife of
Rasheed Sulaiman, ex DIG and first Muslim Police Officer to
head the Prime Ministerial and later Presidential Security
Division during the tenure of President Ranasinghe Premadasa
and Dingiri Banda Wijetunge), Muwaffaque (who married
Rosemary Ondaatje and later Haseena), Zainamb Farhana (who
married Colombo businessman, Imamdeen), fazlul Haque
(deceased), Fazlur Rahman (deceased), and Mariathul
Qibithiya (wife of Muhammad Ashroff Hussain, prominent
businessman of Batcha & Company fame and also
socio-religious activist in Sri Lanka) The two Sulaimans who
married two of Naseema's daughters are brothers and children
of Marjoona Sheikh Sulaiman, the youngest daughter of Meera
Lebbe (older brother of AM Nagoor Meera).
Haniffa'syounger
brother
Ishak, who married Ummu Khulzum, daughter of Idroos Lebbe
(elder brother of paternal grandmother Zainambu Natchiyar),
passed away in 1965 when he was 64 years old Ishak's five
children are Sithy Aysha (wife of Dr MIM Nilar), Abdul Qadir
who passed away at a young age, Muhammad Haleem Ishak,
Sithie Mariam Muhammad and Sithie Fathima Haleem Ishak
passed away in Sep 2003.
Proctor
Haniffa's family can be proud of their progeny who held top
office in the national political organizations, dominated by
the Sinhalese at that time NMM ishak was the first Muslim to
function as the Treasurer of the Ceylon Labor Union Ishak's
son, Haleem, rose to the position of Vice President of the
Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1978-1992, succeeding Dr Badiudin
Mahmud Dr MCM Kaleel, father-in-law of Haniffa's two sons,
Jaffer Sadique and Dr Munsif Meeran, was Treasurer and later
Chairman of the United National Party.
Haleem Ishak passes away - Island Thu Sep 25
2003
Former
SLFP Member of Parliament for Colombo Central Haleem Ishak
passed away yesterday
He was
74 years at the time of death
The late
Haleem Ishak worked closely with late Prime Minister Mrs
Sirimavo Bandaranaike to strengthen the party at times of
crisis. He was a fine contributor in Parliament and spoke on
selected subjects. Haleem Ishak was a politician respected
by all communities and all parties in an outside Parliament.
His funeral took place in Colombo yesterday (PG)
Sunday Island Oct 5 2003
Appreciation
Haleem Ishak - (I)
The
passing away of Mr Haleem Ishak, a politician of distinction
on 24th Sept 2003 brought sorrow, sadness and grief to the
thousands who rushed to his residence to pay their last
respects and to the many others who walked behind his bier
to the Kuppiyawatta Muslim burial ground where his last
remains were laid to rest.
Mr Ishak
began his political career being elected to the Colombo
Municipal Council as a member of the Kuppiyawatta East Ward
in 1962 He was the only SLFP member elected to the CMC out
of 46 others from other political parties Although the
Kuppiyawatta East Ward has a cosmopolitan population and
people are of different shades of political opinion, the
late Mr Haleem Ishak was able to comfortably win the
election and was re-elected twice in 1966 and 1969 and went
on to represent this Ward as a distinguished councillor
until the Council was dissolved in 1977.
In the
parliamentary election of 1977, when the United National
Party won a landslide victory, Mr Ishak was elected to the
Multi-member Colombo Central constituency as the 3rd member
from the SLFP, coming ahead of veteran politician, the late
Mr Pieter Keuneman During the period 1977-1988, when the
SLFP opposition in parliament was restricted to eight
members, Mr Ishak never failed to express his views without
fear or favour.
In 1979,
the writer was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council to
represent the people of Kuppiyawatta East Ward on behalf of
the United National Party which Ward was previously ably
represented by the late Mr Ishak for a continuous period of
sixteen years.
An
outstanding quality of the late Mr Ishak, he never failed to
acknowledge and commend progress and development being
undertaken by the Colombo Municipal Council in the
Kuppiyawatta East Ward during the tenure of the writer who
represented this Ward from 1979-2002 as a Municipal
Councillor and thereafter as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor of
Colombo.
The late
Mr Ishak served the people irrespective of political
affiliation during his four decades of public service as a
Municipal Councillor and later as a Parliamentarian
(1977-1994) Mr Haniffa Ishak, elder son of the late Mr
Haleem Ishak continues the good work of his father serving
the citizens of Colombo as a Municipal Councillor
(1991-2002) and now as a party organizer.
The
large gathering of mourners who came to pay their last
respects at the burial ground in their thousands is ample
testimony of the affection and admiration they had for the
late Mr Haleem Ishak — A Man among Men.
"Inna Lillahi, Wa inna-illaihi-Raji-hoon"
(From the Almighty Allah we come, and to Him we
go)
Omar Kamil
Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Iran
Haleem Ishak - (II)
Mr
Haleem Ishak’s death was news of great anxiety and
unbearable sorrow as he was one of my very close friends for
the past four decades In the sojourn of sansara, we come
across all sorts of people, but I strongly feel that people
of the calibre of Haleem is so rare and limited I firstly
encountered Haleem at the Colombo Municipal election in 1962
as the SLFP candidate for Kuppiyawatte In a virulent attack
on Mr Somaweera Chandrasiri MP who was Haleem Ishak’s key
speake, in this election campaign, I supported the UNP
candidate Mr Karunathilake My speech was so harsh that
Haleem Ishak gave a press interview threatening libel action
But both of us became very good friends, representing
governing and opposing parties in the CMC Though I resigned
from the Colombo Municipal Council our friendship never
ended We were "mango friends" through thick and thin We
fought many a political battle jointly in parliament and
elsewhere Haleem discarded all air of self-aggrandizement,
he was a resolute campaigner against the corrupting nature
of power at any level He sincerely believed "all power
corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Circumstances
of
straight forwardness compelled him to change his political
colouring, but so-called leaders got the best out of him and
never reciprocated I’m fully aware of the assurances and the
promises that were given to him by the governing powers of
the country and never fulfilled He was never a hot-headed
politician moved by anger or indignation He hated injustice,
tyranny and immorality, he was always fair and generous to
his opponents and always ungrudgingly helped his friends in
their needs Haleem Ishak even sacrificed his political
career in coming to the rescue of so-called friends, who
ultimately neglected or ignored him.
In the
true sense of sports, Haleem Ishak was a true sportsman who
played a "losing" game with pluck, patience and fearlessness
I used to meet him very often after he had fallen ill and a
few days before his death, I spent a considerable time with
him I could visualize the height of his frustration and
grief, when he requested me to visit him more frequently as
it brought past memories and solace to him He was very
pleased to mention that he won parliamentary elections with
majority votes, which he got from Sinhala people I always
consider him as a bridge builder who did his best to bring
the Sinhalese and the Muslims together.
Haleem
Ishak was a very devoted husband to his exemplary wife who
happens to be Minister M H Mohamed’s sister He was an
amiable father to his sons, daughters and grandfather to his
grandchildren.
May eternal bliss be with him.
P A Jinadasa Niyathapala
Hon M H Mohamed
The
above article was first published in the Wesley College OBU
(UK) souvenir by Ananda Thevathasan
A
Distinguished Old Boy of Wesley College Hon Mohamed Haniffa
Mohamed was born on 15 June 1921,at
Dematagoda in Colombo his father NMMHaniffa was one of the
first muslims to attend Wesley under Rev Samuel RWilkin
Proctor Haniffa's father was the uncrowned King of Colombo's
vegetable trade it is said that it was Proctor Haniffa
father AMNagoor Meera who was one of the those
philanthropist who helped Rev Henry HighfieldWhen the latter
went around the country on his bicycle.
Hon
MHMohamed joined Wesley in 1926 and spent the entirety of
his student life at WesleyWhen asked why Wesley? Mr Mohamed
replied that at Wesley "their were no racial or religious
lines drawn and the education was secular"Hon Mohamed was at
Wesley during the era of Rev AHuchinson and Rev John
DalbyAll his brother also went to Wesley students of Wesley
will remember MHMMunas the donor of the Botany/Bio Lab
MHMMunas is the elder brother of Hon MHMohamedHon Mohamed's
five sons also went to Wesley college and are actively
involved with the Union.
Hon
MHMohamed on leaving Wesley took up business established by
his Grandfather and took a keen interest in politics he was
elected to the Colombo municipal council in 1945 and went on
to become the First Muslim Mayor of ColomboDuring his tenure
of office he got the Campbell park lease extended and when
Hussain Mohamed his eldest son became Mayor Campball park
was handed to Wesley Hon MHMohamed first contested for a
Parliament seat in 1965 and was returned as the MP for
Borella the seat he still holds Hon MHMohamed was rewarded
for his invaluable service to the community, by being
appointed a minister for 4 successive cabinets of the United
National Party and went on to become the Speaker of the Sri
Lanka Parliament on 9 March 1989.
Hon
MHMohamed it must be remembered was one of those Wesleyites
who were instrumental in saving Wesley College being taken
over by the government in 1961, in the famous takeover
crisis of private schoolHon MHMohamed is the only
distinguished old boy to be invited on 5 occasions to be the
Chief Guest at the Wesley College Annual Prize Giving Hon
MHMohamed has been a pillar of support to his old school,
both financially and actively supporting various
projectsThis notable achievement was rewarded by the
Union,by electing him the president of the OBU Colombo from
1987 to 1995.
It was
during his Presidency that Wesley was provided with a fine
play ground and turf wickets,extension of the playing area
and the refurbishment of the sports pavilion which was
renamed in his honourHon MHMohamed's services to Wesley was
recognised when his photograph was unveiled in the College
hall Wesley College together with the other support groups
of Wesley formally facilitated Hon MHMohamed MP a
distinguished old boy of Wesley for his invaluable and
painstaking services rendered to the public and his old
school for the past 50 years.
Dr Munsif H Meeran MB BS DRCOG by Simon Hayhoe
Munsif
Meeran was one 0f the most colourful members that the UMAS
has had throughout its history He had his initial medical
training at the University of Ceylon and then came to
Britain for postgrraduate studies at hospitals in England
After a period as consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology
at the Benghazi Women’s hospital in Libya he took the post
of Director of the Zambia Flying Doctor Service, became
President of the Zambian Red Cross and was involved on
committees of the World Health Organisation
On his
return to England he set up a thriving acupuncture clinic in
south Croydon He also began teaching Acupuncture,
writing an excellent little paperback Acupuncture: Science
and Art and forming the Marina Academy of Acupuncture which
successfully started many doctors on the road to
Acupuncture Practice It was his constant
frustration that the BMAS persIstently refused to
grant approvaI to his course, indeed the Society seemed to
have deliberately devised the rules for recognition in order
to exclude him.
He was
certainly an accomplished self-publicist I well remember at
the opening ceremony of the Second ICMART World Congress in
London, when he evaded the stewards to leap on the podium
and present a set of his course video-tapes to a somewhat
bemused Minister of Health And when the Chairman of the
conference later complained to him that this was
unacceptable behaviour, he caused even more consternation by
writing to the ministry for the tapes to he returned.
For
years the BMAS had been very comfortably run by a small,
self-perpetuating committee, taking it in turns to hold the
senior offices He managed to throw this comfy system into
disarray by having himself proposed as chairman and forcing
a ballot Sadly he received few votes, mainly because many
people had difficulty penetrating his thickly accented
speech, but he undoubtedly stirred up the committee Perhaps
we could do again with some spirited character to perform a
similar task every few years
The
UMAS has attracted its share of eccentrics, but amongst them
Dr Meeran was notable for his energy and enthusiasm in
encouraging the medical use of acupuncture Despite the irritation that he so
frequently engendered in other society members we need more
like him and will truly miss him.
Addendum
by NDA: DrMH Meeran was the Senior Prefect at Wesley College
in 1951 This note was sent to Shelton Peiris by RevWilliam
Holden, one of our former Principals 1943-44 who is now in
his 92nd year and lives in Glastonbury, England I have
intimated to him that DrMeeran sadly passed away in 1998.
From
RevWilliam Holden in 1974
I must
share with readers an incident that took place a few years
ago I had been admitted to a North London Hospital for
surgery and was visited by the House doctor As we talked I
learned that he was from Ceylon, that he had been a scholar
during my term of office He remembered me He remembered how
once when we were having open air assembly in the temporary
buildings a coconut fell and missed me by inches' However,
once he knew who I was, no kindness was too much for him His
name was Dr Meeran I have since lost touch with him but
should he read this I hope he will remember and accept my
gratitude
Professor.
M. Ismail
Professor
Mahroof
Ismail is a medical graduate who worked for many years at
the Medical Research Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was
appointed its Director but opted to join the Faculty of
Medicine as Professor of Parasitology. He subsequently
became Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and retired a few
years ago. His research was mainly on lymphatic filariasis
and soil transmitted helminthiases. His research on
filariasis formed the basis of the mass annual treatment in
the current global programme for the elimination of
lymphatic filariasis.
He has
been associated with the World Health Organisation for a
number of years. He has chaired Expert Committee Meetings
and a number of Informal Consultations. Currently he is a
member of the WHO Panel of Experts on Parasitic Diseases. He
is also a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on
Lymphatic Filariasis and is Chair of the South East Asian
Regional Programme Review Group.
Apart
from his academic interests he has been involved in
community development in the eastern province for many years
chiefly through projects on livelihood activities in order
to alleviate the poverty that has caused such deprivation in
the district. At first these were focused on communities
displaced due to the ethnic conflict and more recently on
communities affected by the onslaught of the tsunami.
In 1995
when Dr Inge Genefke, Medical Director IRCT visited Sri
Lanka she was very keen that the Medical Faculty should get
involved with the activities of the Family Rehabilitation
Centre. She invited me as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine to
join the Board of the FRC which I gladly accepted. Several
academics from the Faculties of Community Medicine,
Psychological Medicine and Forensic Medicine also serve on
the FRC Board. Jointly they ensured that various aspects of
torture and abuse and the rehabilitation of torture victims
were incorporated in the new curriculum of the Faculty of
Medicine, Colombo.
APPRECIATION – PROFESSOR MAHROOF ISMAIL
JUNE 26, 2016
By Prof. Nilanthi de Silva
On 13
June 2016, Sri Lanka lost another doyen in the field of
Medical Parasitology. Prof Ismail was one of the earliest
members of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, serving
as its 11th President, in 1987. In 2015, when the
College decided to honour those who have served the College
and our profession by awarding honorary Fellowships, the
Council was unanimous in deciding that Prof Ismail should be
among the first recipients of a Fellowship.
Mohamed
Mahroof Ismail obtained his MBBS from the University of
Ceylon and his PhD in Medical Parasitology from McGill
University, Canada. He also spent a post-doctoral year at
the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in the
UK. After his return to Sri Lanka, he worked at the MRI for
several years and became its Director in 1983. In the same
year, he joined the Faculty of Medicine, University of
Colombo as the Professor of Parasitology and later served as
Dean of the Faculty from 1994 to 1996. Throughout his
working life, Prof Ismail engaged in research, mostly on
lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminths. His
work was of such quality that it had significant impact on
national as well as international health policies in
relation to control of both groups of infections. The most
significant body of work that he and his collaborators
produced was to demonstrate for the first time that
albendazole combined with diethylcarbamazine citrate or
ivermectin has a pronounced and sustained effect of reducing
microfilaraemia for over two years. This combination is
currently being successfully used by the WHO and the
Ministries of Health in 83 endemic countries as part of the
global strategy to eliminate filariasis.
Prof
Ismail also held many eminent posts, serving as a member of
the University Grants Commission, as the Chairman of the
Board of Management of the Post-Graduate Institute of
Medicine; and as external examiner in Parasitology of the
University of Malaya as well as the National University of
Malaysia. He served the WHO at its Headquarters in Geneva,
and in the South East Asian Regional Office in New Delhi in
many different capacities: as Chairman of the WHO
Expert Committee on Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases; as a
member of the WHO Expert Committee on Lymphatic Filariasis
and the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Lymphatic
Filariasis; as a WHO Consultant to Egypt and Bangladesh to
revise their National Filariasis Control Programmes; and
Chairman of the South East Asian Programme Review Group for
the elimination of lymphatic filariasis from 2002 until
2006.
I am
just one of many who owe an immense debt of gratitude to
Prof Ismail. I learnt much of my parasitology from him, as a
medical student, as a postgraduate student, and even after
that. He was one of the examiners at my MD examination in
1994. I still recall very clearly, the occasion when I went
to thank him after passing the exam. I was a young
probationary lecturer back then, who had just started
working at Ragama, in a medical faculty that was virtually
in its infancy. My husband Janaka and I met Prof Ismail in
the Dean’s Office in the Colombo Medical Faculty. We talked
of this and that, and then I asked him if he had any
suggestions for research. He immediately shared with us an
idea that had occurred to him while attending a WHO meeting
a few weeks previously. He said that this study could only
be done in Sri Lanka because of the confluence of
circumstances at that moment in time, but that it had the
potential to transform international policy with regard to
deworming programmes. Together with other colleagues from
Ragama, we turned this idea into a study that was eventually
published in one of the foremost medical journals. This
little episode is only one example of the unassuming
generosity and supportiveness that Prof Ismail extended to
all who came into contact with him. He probably never
thought twice about what he did, but for me, it was a
landmark in my academic career.
Over the
decades since then, we came into contact at regular
intervals, especially at Parasitology oral examinations for
medical students. Those times when I was his co-examiner
were days that I really enjoyed, because Prof Ismail somehow
turned them into learning experiences for both students and
me, and his unfailing sense of humour lessened the tedium of
coping with medical students who seemed to view Parasitology
oral exams as an instrument of torture.
As he
gradually withdrew from the professional arena, Janaka and I
tried to stay in touch by visiting him at home. He was an
unfailingly courteous and considerate host, and we learnt
that he was an excellent cook, who also enjoyed good food.
We also saw a marriage that seemed to have been made in
heaven. Prof Ismail and his wife Jezima, an equally eminent
figure in her own right, in the field of education, lived
their life together, not only in bringing up a family, but
in many other ways that sought to support the
underprivileged and disadvantaged.
I have
had the privilege of following in Prof Ismail’s footsteps,
in that my research has been largely in the same fields. At
international meetings, mention of my Sri Lankan nationality
often results in enquiry after Prof Ismail. World-renowned
experts speak of him with much respect and affection. One of
them characterized him as a ‘gentleman and a scholar’ – a
phrase which struck me as a particularly appropriate
description of Prof Ismail. May he rest in peace!