ALI AZEEZ
COLOMBO: Jamaldeen spoke to me over a year ago. He was mostly overseas living with his daughter. He said that he is back and being 85 years old will not travel any longer. I invited him for the Azeez memorial oration in January 2020 but he did not turn up. With the onset of the corona virus and curfews I lost touch with him, though I promised to visit him.
Last week I heard that he had passed away about 3 months ago at the age of 86 years, not 80 as stated in the article.
A.M.A. Azeez had a vision and encouraged Muslim students with talent to continue their education despite various handicaps. He made inquiries about bright Muslim students particularly in schools outside Colombo, and requested them to see him by sending postcards. I am aware of many cases. On hearing about Jamaldeen, probably from his good friend A.E. Tamber, Principal of Jaffna Central College, he sent him a postcard. Jamaldeen had come and met Azeez, who inquired about his studies, and learnt that he was doing well and was talented in music. Azeez had requested J to meet him after finishing his studies. I think he joined the staff at Zahira.
When Azeez initiated the Ceylon Muslim Cultural Centre, there was a section for Islamic music. He arranged for J to join Bhatkande University in Lucknow. When J completed the course and came back he met Azeez. Azeez had told him that he was no longer at Zahira and the project was not on. J joined Radio Ceylon and kept in constant touch with Azeez and did well at Radio Ceylon.
J’s daughter Shagufa was educated at Bishops College and joined MCB Bank when my good friend Marikar was Chief Manager. She was an excellent officer and completed her ACCA. She married an officer at MCB and went to Canada, which broke up later. Later she married Malik Marikar ACA and they are in the ME.
