MC Abdul Rahuman of Weligama - Sri Lanka

M C Abdul Rahman

Honourable Muhammad Cassim Abdul Rahman, Merchant, Reformer, Legislator, Leader
Muhammad Cassim Abdul Rahman, son of Fathima (& Cassim Bhoy), the daughter of the renowned Qutb Sheikh Ismail Yamani who is interrred by the side of the Weligama mosque, married Khadija, daughter of his maternal uncle Qutb Sheikh Yehya Al-Yamani, also known as Hajiar Appa of Matara. Qutb Sheikh Ismail and Qutb Sheikh Yehya are reverred by many Muslims in the southern province as saints even until today.

Abdul Rahman began life as a businessman, both in the Colombo Fort as a mercer of silk and soft goods in Pettah, and as a purveyor of groceries for homes. He had a large clientele, mainly, because of his fair dealing in business. His head was erect because his honour was perfectly above board at all times. He owned shipping vessels for the transportation of the goods that he imported. SS "Rahmaniya" was a vessel named after him. The more he earned the more he distributed to deserving cases and laudable causes. That was Abdul Rahman, the Merchant.

The “White Horse” building at Chatham Street, Fort, in Colombo was the head office of his business empire. He had a distribution center at Pettah, in Colombo, and a warehouse complex at Slave island, also in Colombo. The British firm of darley Butler & Company acted as one of his agents in those times.

His activities became well known and recognized by all. He was nominated to a seat in the Colombo Municipal Council in 1876 to look after and promote the interest of the local Ceylon Moors (Muslims). He made such an impressive mark, that, while a Counsellor he was also appointed as an unofficial Municipal Magistrate. The Moors of Ceylon of the time, incoherent though, yet made calls for representation in the Legislative Council to which Abdul Rahman was appointed on October 29, 1889, as the first Mohammedan member, by Governor Gordon. His indispensability received such recognition, that, at the end of his five year term, he was re-appointed for a further five years by Governor Havelock. However, he did not live long enough to fulfil that extended term.

During that period appointed members were generally more or less stooges of the British Colonial rulers and were silent warmers of their seats. Abdul Rahman was different. In proposals or debates that concerned the nation or his own community, he spoke out his heart with an earnestness that evoked sympathy and understanding. The Hansard of December 1894 is replete of references of the concern Abdul Rahman, the Reformer, showed towards the community.

The Moors of the time were lagging behind even in matters of their social and educational life. These were spheres where Abdul Rahman felt that urgent action was necessary. He had much to speak but little to add to what he strongly urged for necessary inclusion of amendments to the Marriage Registration Ordinances No. 8 of 1886 and No. 2 of 1888, whereby Muslim marriages would also be registered. Until then "Kadutham" of the Katheebs was the only feeble form of documentary evidence, available, of Muslim marriages. Compulsory registration of Muslim marriages in a legalized form was the brainchild of Abdul Rahman. Even more, he urged that in cases where specified fees could not be levied or collected, the imposition of such fees be waived. His thinking was so meticulous even to such detail.

Female Muslim education was, wrongly, held to be foreign within the fold of Islam, by the Muslims of Ceylon. A very few female adults received some form of education in what was called "secluded" schools. But that was far below the standard. Abdul Rahman, with vision and foresight, spoke out his mind, urging special provision for the education of female Muslims, when the question of female education was discussed at the Legislative Council. Thus, he was the pioneer of Muslim female education in Ceylon. He was also responsible for the appointment of female doctors and vaccinators to cater to the needs of Muslim women. His insistence ultimately resulted in the Colonial Secretary authorizing half the cost of the building for the first Mohammedan Girls School in Colombo, in 1898.

Abdul Rahman married Khadija, the second daughter of his maternal uncle, Hajiar Appa. He was also a multi-linguist proficient in Tamil, Sinhala, English, Arabic, Urdu and Pharisee. He underwent a strenous education in Islam, Islamic Law and culture. He lived at "Icicle Hall", at 532, Galle Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, a symbol of social stature and prestige. "Icicle Hall’ was later renamed to "Sri Kotha" where the United National Party purchased it from its new owners to whom M.C. Abdul Rahman had sold it to, in order to set up their new headquarters. The "Mumtaz Mahal" at Kollupitiya, now the official residence of the Speaker of Parliament, was also owned by M.C. Abdul Rahman, and years later, his great grandson, Muhammad Haniffa Muhammad, was destined to occupy the sprawling mansion as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, during the period 1989 to 1994. The "Rhineland" at Colpetty, a mansion at the site of the present Central Theatre at Maradana, and three houses at Grandpass were some of his other bungalows. He also owned the stretch of land from Kanatte to Borella, including the present Kanatte burial grounds, up to Rajagiriya, which served as his grass fields.

Abdul Rahman was always nattily dressed in Shalwar and Khameez over which he wore a long coat, Jutha on his feet and a richly embroidered Surat Cap. He used to ride in a twin-horse carriage. He owned a fleet of horse carriages of different structures. On ceremonial ocassions he rode a special carriage drawn by apair of his choicest horses with two footmen colorfully dressed in attendance. The Kahatahena Estate at Galagedara in Padukka, where the Ceylon Refractories is presently located, was specially used by him for rearing his horses.

Abundant affluence did, however, not bar him from serving the economically-weaker sections of the society, and, especially among those belonging to the Muslim community. A highly religious personality he was a great philanthropist who generously helped a large number of Mosques, Schools and other Muslim institutions as well as needy individuals. Al Mahadul Bukhariyul Khadiriyah Jumma Mosque at Layards Broadway in Colombo was built by him and managed under his personal supervision and control.

MC Abdul Rahman possessed one of the finest collection of books on Unani Medicine and specialized in spiritual healing. He also went on to play a major role in the Muslim Society in Ceylon at a time when the community was a badly neglected and hopelessly backward one.
Abdul Rahman was so engrossed in his service to the people that he found very little time to devote to himself. Frail in frame, yet, strong in spirit, he carried on the difficult task with many sacrifices, the hallmark of true leadership. Strangely, he had at heart a penchant for the welfare of the female more than the male. Yert it was quite natural. As a devout Muslim he had been taught that "Paradise lies at the feet of the Mother". That had been his inspiration.

The strain and stress of his crowded program of daily services told on his health and he passed away, during the middle of his second five year term in the Legislative Council. That was Abdul Rahman, the Leader, an example for all times. He passed away peacefully on June 12 1899 and his remains were interred at the Maligawatte Muslim burial grounds.

Abdul Rahman was blessed with four sons and three daughters, viz;
Abdul Majeed, Safia Umma, Ummu Habeeba, Ne’math Umma, Abdul Azeez, Muhammad Ismail and Izzadeen.

Abdul Majeed, who married Safia Umma, had two daughters and two sons. One son passed away at an early age. His eldest daughter, Jariath Umma, married OLM Levana Marikar, a leading light in Colombo’s world of commerce. Jariath Umma’s second daughter, Ummu Hafeera (second bed), married NHM Abdul Cader, Colombo Municipal Councillor and later member of the Legislative Council (father of Jabir A Cader).

Abdul Majeed’s second daughter, Muhusina, married YM Naina Marikar JP, also a prominent figure amongst the Muslim Community and the business world of that era. Amongst Muhusina’s nine children are NMM Bishrul Hafi JP, a well known Muslim social activist, and NMM Izzeth Hussain. Izzeth Hussain was the first ever Muslim to join the Ceylon Overseas Service and the first ever Muslim career diplomat to rise to the highest position in the Foreign Service by holding the position of Director General of Foreign Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 1980’s. He was also the Ambassador to the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States, based in Moscow.

MC Abdul Rahman’s third son, Muhammad Ismail, was an active social worker who took a keen interest in religious and educational activities of the Muslim Community. The British Governor bestowed on him the titular honor of Mudaliyar for his exemplary social service. He was also the Managing Trustee of the Maradana Mosque and Honorary Secretary of the Colombo Muslim Educational Society. Mudaliyar Ismail married twice, Hajara Umma – a first cousin of Sir Razik Fareed – and Ummu Ayesha. His son MACA Abdul Rahman functioned as the Principal of Hameed Al Hussaini Maha Vidyalaya, one of the prominent government Muslim Schools in Colombo, for many years.

MC Abdul Rahman’s fifth child, Abdul Azeez, maternal grandfather of MH Muhammad, was a successful businessman and was affectionately known as “Prince Charming”. He did not seek public office. Yet, the British Government bestowed on him a titular honor. Azeez played a quiet role in the Muslim community, helping religious and educational institutions in an effectively constructive way. He was generous in his charity and helped the needy, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. He preferred silent service and avoided publicity.

Abdul Rahman’s youngest son, Muhammad Izzadeen married Muthu Natchiyar but had no issue.

The Sri Lankan Muslim Community gratefully remembered MC Abdul Rahman when his portrait was unveiled by J R Jayawardene, the then leader of the opposition, at the Moors’ Islamic Cultural Home Auditorium at Colombo Fort on June 13, 1975, on the occasion of his 76th death anniversary.

On January 21, 1987, the then Prime Minister, Ranasinghe Premadasa, unveiled a portrait of MC Abdul Rahman at the Colombo Town Hall under the patronage of B Sirisena Cooray, the Mayor of Colombo.

In December 1989, MC Abdul Rahman’s portrait was unveiled at the gallery of the Parliament of Sri lanka at Kotte-Sri Jayawardenepura, by President Premadasa, on the occasion of the cventenary of Abdul Rahman’s entry into the Legislative Council as the first ever Muslim Member. MH Muhammad, his great grandson, was the Speaker of the House at this time.

http://slmuslim.blogspot.com/2006/03/al-qutb-al-sheikh-ismail-al-yamani-al.html?m=1

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