Moors' Islamic Cultural Home (MICH)

MICH Women's Section

An event of significant importance to the community was the inauguration of the MICH Women's Section, on the initiatives taken by MI Azhar Ghouse, Chairman of the Economic & Welfare Community, and the rest of the members of this committee. At a historic meeting held on May 16 1975 the MICH Women's Section came to life. The spontaneous response of the women of the community at the inaugural meeting revealed the anguish and fervor that they had in their hearts for the participation and contribution to the development of the community. Mrs Fouz Nazick, wife of Major AMM Nazick, was elected as the inaugural President and Mrs Noor Abu Haniffa was elected inaugural Secretary. The draft constitution was discussed and debated, clause by clause, and adopted at the meeting.

MA Careem, who was acting for the President of the MICH, at the meeting outlined the aims and objectives of the MICH Women's Section, which, he stated, would operate independently under the supervision of the Chairman of the Economic & Social Welfare Committee. Mr Azhar Ghouse explained the new section in greater detail.

The Women's Section participated in a well attended reception to Begum Nusrath Bhutto, wife of His Excellency Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, that was organized jointly with the Sri Lanka Women's Conference, on Dec 17, 1975. The address of Approbation was read by Mrs Fouz Nazick, President, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs Chandra de Soysa, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Women's Conference.

Another joint reception was held on Aug 16 1976, together with the Muslim Women's Organization of Sri Lanka, chaired by Mrs Badiudin Mahmud, when a reception was accorded to Her Excellency Madame Jehan Sadat, wife of President Anwar Sadat of the Arab Republic of Egypt. A welcome song, at this reception, was sung by the girls of Clifton Girls' School. Mrs Fouz Nazick, President, made the address of Approbation. Madame Sadat responded with an inspiring speech in English which evoked spontaneous acclamation from the large gathering of over 400 participants. Mrs Rasheeda Mohideen, President of the Ceylon Moor Ladies Union, proposed the vote of thanks. Madame Ismail Fahmy, wife of the Egyptian Foreign Minister and Madame Atef El Nawawi, wife of the Egyptian Ambassadior were notable attendees at the occasion.

Funds for the activities of the Women's Section came in, initially, in the form of a donation of Rs 8,5-- from Begum Nusrath Bhutto on Dec 17, 1975, and a handsome sum of US $13,500 from His Excellency Anwar Sadat, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Women's Section felicited the Egyptian Ambassador, HE Muhammad Atef El Nawawy and Madame Nawawy to a buffet dinner on Sep 15, 1976 prior to their departure to Egypt from Sri Lanka after completion of their tenure. Sir Razik Fareed commented on the wonderful relationship that had prevailed between the Ambassador and the Sri Lankan Muslim community, and, in particular with the MICH. The MICH presented the Ambassador and his wife with gifts and the diplomat presented the Home with a complete compendium of forty-four records of the thirty sections (Jooz) of Al Qur'an.

The Women's Section have also been involved in assisting the Home in sending housemaids to good homes in Kuwait.