Tribute:

M.Y.M. Faleel, JP

When someone suddenly departs answering the Almighty's call, the rest of us are left desperate and desolate.

A deep sense of anguish was left when a great soul responded to Allah's call, leaving his kith and kin, wide circle of friends and those near and dear to him, in deep remorse and sorrow, twenty-one years ago .

The journey of our lives has gone thus far, but the fragrant and golden memories of this great personage will remain ever fresh in our minds, despite the long journeys we have undertaken in the sands of time, It is incumbent on my part to dwell on him.

Late Mr. M. Y. M. Faleel, JP was an ornament to the Muslim community in particular and the public in general, and a patriotic and a noble son of mother Lanka.

Coming into contact with two Muslim icons, the late Dr. T. B. Jayah, patriot and eminent educationist, the late Dr. M. C. M. Kaleel, illustrious leader of the community, and the late Dr. A. M. A. Azeez, first muslim Civil Servant and Principal par excellence of Zahira, and Mr. S. L. M. Shafie Marikar of education fame, Mr. Faleel was on ideal terra firm on deriving abundance of experience and expertise.

Influenced and inspired by these men of learning and distinction, the promising young teacher at Denham English School (now Darus Salam MV), Faleel showed leadership qualities, and embarked on a long road to involve himself, heart and soul, in social religious and cultural activities, and proved his mettle in no uncertain terms until his demise at the age of 74 years.

January 3 marks his 21st death anniversary. This appreciation is a tribute to highlight some of his accomplishments in the service to the backward community. He was a unique personality in his own right, and played multifaceted roles to promote the welfare and wellbeing of one and all. He was a jewel in the crown of many Muslim organisations, contributing his mite in different capacities, for the good of the many, and the betterment of the others.

He functioned as a Working Committee Member of the all Ceylon Muslim League for a span of 56 years, by virtue of his distinguished services and in grateful remembrance, his portrait was unveiled in the League's Chamber by Deshamanya Dr. M. C. M. Kaleel in 1992.

A Founder Member of the All Ceylon Muslim Educational Conference, he served as an Executive Committee Member for over two decades. A vice President of the Zahira College Old Boys' Association and the Joint Secretary of the Zahira College Welfare Society, he was in the vanguard of the governing body for many years.

He had a passion to serve religion and religious causes, and served in some mosques and societies. He was one of the founders of Al Madrasathul Aliyyah, Meeraniya Street, and was its Joint Secretary for several years. He was also a Founder Member of Dr. Sheikh Shums Al Fassi Foundation, Sri Lanka, in 1982, and served as an active member in the Religious Committee until his death.

He played various roles in different institutions. A resident of Ananda Mawatha, Maradana, he was elected the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Paranawadiya Co-op Stores Ltd, and served in this capacity from 1943 up to 1975 without any blemish. When his daughters were at Khairiya Muslim B. V. she was one of the Vice Presidents of the Parent-Teachers Association from 1962 up to 1975.

Another interesting fact is that he was a student both at Denham and Zahira where he passed the ESLC and the Junior Matriculation, and later became a teacher at these places. Dr. Jayah was responsible for these appointments.

Having observed the remarkable potential of the young man at Denham, Dr. Jayah, Principal of Zahira, absorbed the promising master to his tutorial staff in 1929, and later to be popularly dubbed as Faleel Master. He was chosen to follow a Refresher Course at the Government Training College subsequently.

As a student at Zahira, he indulged in extracurricular activities, his benchmark being small Rifle Shooting at which he excelled, winning medals and certificates, His expertise in this field, stood him in good stead when he chose to serve his motherland as a volunteer in the Ceylon Light Infantry from 1939 to 1947, displaying his patriotic fervour.

Duty comes first to him. It became amply evident in this instance. During war times, schools were deserted.

However, only he responded to Dr. Jayah's request to teach the only 35 students during the dark days of 1942 while the rest thought otherwise. Besides his domain of teaching, he started a business venture under the name and style, Everest Footwear, at Deans Road, Maradana, thus playing three roles at the same time - as a teacher, as a volunteer and as a budding businessman.

At later times, the business changed hands, and the new owners, out of respect, regard and honour, has retained the same name up to this day.

Humble and upright, sincere and steadfast, honest and humane, evergreen Faleel Master, after retirement, maintained a fine rapport and harmonious relationship with the Zahira management.

He served as an honorary teacher and was, the live wire in the affairs of the Old Boys Association and the Parent Teachers' Association. He capped it all by being the honorary Manager of the College Printing Press and Weaving Centre until his last days.

A gem of a gentleman, he served many causes with delight, dignity and decorum, without any pecuniary considerations, and won the admiration of the Muslim community.

He played long and brilliant innings for well over fifty years at the premier institution, Zahira College, as a young student, as a youthful teacher, as an experienced and matured official - an exemplary record, indeed rare, rightly deserving an honorary posthumous award from the concerned authorities.

The cultured voice of Faleel Master is no more and not heard in the corridors of Zahira nor in various other institutions. An irreparable loss suffered by the community.

However, we can take consolation in the fact that his son, M. Faisal Faleel, being the chip of the old block, is continuing the good work in various aspects of social life, maintaining his father's good name whose credo was "Service to Mankind with honesty, integrity and sincerity" a rare commodity nowadays.

M. Azhar Dawood