COLOMBO : Former deputy minister Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana’s brother Seyed Abdur Rahuman Zahir Moulana, passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday morning on June 23.
Zahir Moulana, as a principal and a pioneer educator, he championed the education of underprivileged children in rural areas in Sri Lanka particularly in the Batticaloa District, from his first appointment as a teacher in 1957. Thereafter he served in many institutions, and eventually being appointed Principal to several schools including being the founding Principal of Jiffriya Vidyalaya, Eravur and Macan Markar Vidyalaya, Eravur.
As a famous social worker, he was twice President of the Eravur Multipurpose Cooperative Society (1981-82, 1986-87) during one of the most difficult times, where he revolutionized the society into being one that provided socioeconomic benefits to its members and the entire community.
When cyclone lashed Eastern Province, the deceased took great efforts to rebuild houses for the cyclone victims with the help of the Colombo-based YMMA.
He also served twice as President of the Federation of Mosques and Muslim Institutions of Eravur where he worked tirelessly and diligently for the benefit of the community.
As a renowned philanthropist, he contributed immensely towards the poor, destitutes and underprivileged in Sri Lanka, particularly towards uplifting children that were deprived of education and refugees that were affected by the civil conflict.
As a family man, he was the oldest amongst the Zahir Moulana siblings and as such he played the role of a wonderful father figure to all – in nurturing, educating and ensuring that the family stayed united.
Husband of Shereefa Khatheeja and Siththy Aneesa, Beloved father to Marhooma Shereefa Noorul Ayn, Shereefa Fathima, Shereefa Fouzul Ayn, Seyed Hamza Zahir (Australia), Shereefa Noorul Rifaya (Australia), Shereefa Haniyya, Marhoom Maqsood Zahir, Seyed Marzook Zahir , Shereefa Mamdooha, Seyed Mamdooh Zahir , Seyed Mehboob Zahir, Shereefa Marleena, Shereefa Matheena (U.K).
Father in law to Marhoom Seyed Iqbal Al-Bar, Seyed Shafi Sakkaf, Seyed Abdul Raheem, Seyed Habulullah (Australia) , Seyed Bishri, Naleem Ismail, Imraan Ibrahim (U.K), Sherefa Saniya Hamza(Australia, Fathima Nasrin Marzook,Fathima Rimza Mamdooh & Shereefa Nasahuththara Mehboob.
He was the loving brother of Marhoom Seyed Bari Zahir Moulana, Seyed Ahamed Zahir Moulana (Moulana Gems), Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana (former Minister & former MP for Batticaloa), Marhooma Shereefa Sheha Yaseen Moulana, Shereefa Aneesa Moulana, Shereefa Alaviya Moulana & Shereefa Ameera Moulana.
Funeral arrangments will be announced only after daughter of the deceased arrives in Colombo from Australia.
