NAJMUL HUSSAIN
COLOMBO : The launch of ‘Ilangai Vanoli Muslim Sevaiyin Paaramparyam’, authored by Kalaboosanam M.S.M. Jinnah, took place on May 27 at the Duncan White Auditorium, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Colombo 7. The event witnessed an unprecedented turnout, making it one of the most well-attended book launches in recent memory.
A historic moment marked the event when the first copy of the book was purchased for Rs. 500,000/- by renowned businessman and Chairman of Sapumal Group, Alhaj W.M.M.S.M. Kamaldeen.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Islamic Arts and Literary Foundation, the event was presided over by its President, Thamil Thendral Ali Akbar. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Professor Udita Gayashan Gunasekara, graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
Veteran Broadcaster B.H. Abdul Hameed , M.J. Fathima Rinoosia – (Director, Muslim Service), Hafiz S.M. Haniffa – (Former Director, SLBC), T. Senthil Velavar – (Chief Editor, Thinakaran/Thinakaran Varamanjari), Asoka Karunanayake –(Former Deputy GM, Lakhanda, ITN),
Dr. Rameez Abdullah – Chair and Senior Professor, South Eastern University, Dr. Ameer Althaf (Author of Aththachikal) Coimbatore, India
Alhaj Ajmal Kamil Marikkar (Son of SLBC Muslim Service’s First Officer) Alhaj M.C. Bahardeen (MD, Lanka Agro Processing Pvt Ltd.)
Alhaj M.K.M. Akram (Director, Sapumal Industries), Alhaj T.M. Ameer Sulthan (Chief Trustee, Sammankodu (Red) Masjid, Colombo 11), Mrs. Fathuma Niloufer Uwise (Daughter of Allama Dr. M.M. Uwise), Alhaj Siddeque Akbar (Vice President, Amana Bank) Dr. Alhaj I.Y.M. Aniff (Founder, JJ Foundation; President, Kolonnawa Jumma Masjid), Al Haj Abdullah Hasan Mubarak – Director, Abdullah Industries, Alhaj N.M. Ameen (President, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum), Ruzaik Farook, Senior Journalist on behalf of Mohammed Rasooldeen – Editor-in-Chief, Colombo Times) who was abroad , M.B.M. Fairooz (Chief Editor, Vidivelli), Ziya Ul Hassan (General Manager, Capital FM/Capital TV), Mubarak Mohideen (Producer, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation), M. Siddeque Haniffa (Assistant Manager, Vasantham TV/FM News) and dignitaries participated as special guests.
The event began with the recitation of the Qur’an by Raheena Irshad, accompanied by the translation delivered by Rahith Ahmed Irshad.
Poet N. Najmul Hussain gave the introductory speech, describing the author as “my intimate friend.” The literary review of the book was presented by Dr. M. Rasmim. A felicitation poem was recited by Rasheed M. Imthiyas, Attorney-at-Law.
The chief guest address was delivered by the Chairman of the SLBC, Professor Udita Gayashan Gunasekara, while veteran broadcaster B.H. Abdul Hameed delivered a special keynote speech. Fathima Rinoosia, Director of Muslim Service, and the author M.S.M. Jinnah also addressed the gathering.
The Sri Lanka Islamic Arts and Literary Foundation honored former director Hafiz S.M. Haniffa, who had produced the historic Muslim Service radio program Paaramparyam, and the current director Fathima Rinoosia by adorning them with shawls and presenting them with mementos.
Author M.S.M. Jinnah was similarly honored by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Muslim Service with a shawl and a commemorative token. Many others also honored him in the same manner.
Fathima Ruzaika Jinnah Irshad delivered the vote of thanks.
The event was compered by announcers Ahmed M. Nazeer, A.M. Mohamed Raleem, and Samil Akbar.
