Tribute to Marhoom. M. H. M. Ashroff, P.C. by Faisz Musthapha
COLOMBO : It is with a lump in my throat that I join my friends in remembering Marhoom. M. H. M. Ashroff who passed away on the 16th of September, 2000.
He played many parts in his lifetime and excelled in all of them.
He was an Attorney at Law, a Master of Laws (LLM of the University of Colombo), a State Counsel, a President’s Counsel, a Poet, a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister.
He is remembered, inter-alia, for his great contribution to Education, which culminated in the establishment of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
He created the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) as a platform for Muslims to be heard in regard to the problems arising out of any settlement of the North Eastern issues and the then ongoing separatist war.
He is lauded by many, and derided by some, for having launched the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). Those who deride him are unaware of the fact that he perceived that there was then a historical need for the voice of the Muslim community to be heard but that he also had a vision of a united Sri Lanka.
His goal of creating a Sri Lanka in which all communities live in harmony, is evidenced by the fact that he founded the National Unity Alliance (NUA) whose primary objective was to establish communal harmony.
Unfortunately, after his untimely death the SLMC has fragmented into different groups, focusing mainly on the special interests of the Muslim community and losing sight of the larger picture of national harmony which Ashroff espoused.
He has left behind his son Aman who has excelled in the field of Advertising & Marketing and his wife Ferial, a one-time Cabinet Minister, who is a highly respected political figure and known for her integrity and respect for any commitment she makes.
I remember Ashroff with great fondness. I pray that Almighty Allah will accept his services and grant him Jannathul Firdous!
Faisz Musthapha
Chairman of the Muslim Civil Society Alliance
Chancellor of the South Eastern University
16th of September, 2023.