Moors' Islamic Cultural Home (MICH)

Muhammad Cassim Abdul Rahman - 76th Death Anniversary Jun 13 1975 (Jamad Al Thani 2, 1395 H)

published in the MICH Souvenir III of 1970-76

Venue: Moors' Islamic Cultural Home, Bristol Street, Fort, Colombo 1

Presided by : Sir Razik Fareed, OBE, JP UM

Sir Razik Fareed, in his opening address, said:

I am very happy, indeed, to preside at this function today on behalf of the MICH and I extend a most cordial welcome to all of you. I was planning to travel to Pakistan by the 2 O Clock flight, but evidently Allah Willed that I should preside at this grand meeting. Alhamdulillah!

It has taken us 76 years after the demise of this grand old man to pay our respects to a Ceylon Moor pioneer. He, as you know, was the first Ceylon Moor Member of the Legislative Council and the Colombo Municipal Council. He was also the first Moor unofficial Magistrate in 1876.

We had a void in the portrait gallery of Ceylon Moor patriots. Today, Alhamdulillah! we have been able to fill that gap. We are thankful to Marhoom Anis bin Haji ismail Effendi, whose heir had handed over the photograph of the late Abdul Rahman, which his late father had carefully preserved.

We must also remember, with gratitude, Marhoom Sameer bin Haji Ismail Effendi, who has kept a careful record of the Moors of the past and also evidence of the history of the Moors. I understand that the organizers of this function have obtained very valuable information from the files of Marhoom Sameer bin Haji Ismail Effendi and that information is in your hands in the form of a booklet.

To a certain extent Marhoom MC Abdul Rahman was a man of outspoken ability. His speeches indicate that he was no "Yes" man. If the Government of the day introduced legislation that was beneficial to the country he supported such legislation and if it was not in the best interest of the country he opposed it. Specially at a time like that he had the guts to oppose.

As a Municipal Councillor, Hon MC Abdul Rahman, has been responsible in getting the streets of Colombo lit by gas. But in later years, when I entered Municipal politics, as a City father, I had the privilege of changing them to incandescent bulbs and that in spite of vehement protests by interested parties who tried to tempt me with various rewards if I withdrew the motion.

His other notable work in the Colombo Municipal Council was the appointment of female vaccinators who were very useful to our community, specially to the Moor women.

I understand that the teenagers have brought out a very comprehensive biographical sketch of this law-giver, educationist, merchant prince and social worker.

I believe - I can say this without any fear of contradiction - that I am the only man alive today who had seen the happy couple. They always sat together, she dressed in a white saree and he in Shalwar & Kameez complete with a Surat cap. A beautiful beard adorned his manly face. Undoubtedly, he looked a born leader. May their souls rest in peace!

Citation by MH Mohamed, World Muslim Congress (Sri Lanka Council) and representative Rabitat-Al Alam Al Islami, Makkah Al Mukarramah:

Mr Presisent, Mr JR Jayawardene, Your Excellencies, Mr Premadasa, member for Colombo Central, Ladies & Gentlemen:

It is my privilege to speak a few words on Hon MC Abdul Rahman, who was no ordinary mortal, but a merchant, reformer, legislator and leader. He had in his veins the same saintly blood from his mother, Fathima, a daughter of the renowned saint, Al Khutub Al Sheikh Ismail Yemeni.

Khadija, his wife, was also of saintly blood, being the daughter of his paternal uncle, Al Qutub Sheikh Yahya al Yamani, commonly known as Hadjiar Appa, whose remains lie interred at the Main Street Jummah Mosque, Matara.

Abdul Rahman became a businessman of repute by the establishment, in Colombo Fort and in Pettah and Slave Island, of an extensive import and export business. he owned shipping vessels for the transport of goods, the SS "Rahmaniya" was the first vessel named after him. He was helpful to everyone. That was Abdul Rahman the merchant. His activities and his conspicuous ability became well known and recognized.

He was nominated to a seat in the Colombo Municipal Council in 1876 to look after the and promote the interests of the local Muslims. he made such an impressive effort that while being a Councillor he was made an Unofficial Magistrate, being the first Ceylon Moor to hold these two posts.

As a result of the enlargement of the Ordinance and a Moor being allowed to be appointed to the Legislative Council, Abdul Rahman was appointed as the first Muslim Member of the Legislative Council on 29 October 1889. This appointment was made by Sir Arthur Gordon. His work received universal recognition. At the end of his five year term he was appointed to a further period of five years by Governor Elibank Havelock. In those days appointed Members generally sat and warmed their seats but not so Abdul Rahman. In any proposal or debate he was concerned with the rights of the nation. He spoke out his heart in earnestness and evoked the sympathy and understanding of the Ruling British. The HANSARD of December 1894 is replete with reference to his concern towards the community. That was Abdul Rahman the Reformer.

The Moors of the time were lagging behind in matters concerning their social and educational life. This was a sphere where, if at all, Abdul Rahman felt action was necessary. He had much to speak of on the inclusion of amendments to the Marriage Registration Ordinance No 2 of 1886 and Marriage Registration Ordinance No 2 of 1888 whereby Muslim marriages also came to be registered. Until then, the "Kadutham" filled by Khateebs were the only unstable form of registration. Compulsory registration of Muslim marriages was a brain-child of Abdul Rahman.

Another field of his activities was the championing of the cause of Muslim female education. The Moors of Ceylon then held that female education would jeopardize the practice of Islam. A few female adults had some form of education in what was called "secluded schools". Abdul Rahman's vision and foresight spoke out his mind urging special provision for the education of Muslim females and the question of general female education was discussed in the Legislative Council. He was thus a pioneer for the promotion of Muslim female education and for the appointment of doctors and vaccinators who catered to the needs of the Muslim women. His insistence ultimately resulted in the Colonial Secretary, in the year 1898, authorizing the cost of the building which housed the first Muslim Girl's School in Colombo.

Abdul Rahman became so engrossed in his political work that he found little time to look after himself. Frail in body and weak in health he carried out his tasks at tremendous sacrifice. A devout Muslim, he had learnt the Hadeeth "paradise lies at the feet of the Mother". She had been his inspiration. Amidst his crowded program, on account of failing health, he passed away on 19 June 1899, while serving only the second five year term of the Council. That was Abdul Rahman the Leader.