by Latheef Farook
source: latheeffarook.com
Crucial
Muslim support facilitated the process of Sri Lanka gaining
independence from British in 1948 and help end almost four and half
centuries of European colonial rule in the island. Many
still remember the leading role played by Muslims leaders such as Dr
T.B.Jayah, Sir Razik Fareed, Dr M.C.M.Kaleel and Dr Badiduddin Mahmud in
the constitutional reforms of this country and their enthusiastic
support for the demand of the Dominion Status and independence. They
never obstructed the political progress of the country.
For
example when the demand for independence began gathering momentum World
War 11 broke out in Europe. The British government urged all its
colonies to support them assuring that they would be given independence
after the war.
In
the aftermath of the World War 11, agitation for political reforms and
independence began to gather momentum. However the British government
insisted that three quarters of the population should support the demand
for independence to ensure the rights of minorities were protected.
With the Sinhalese community as a whole constituting less than three
quarters of the population this was an impossible demand to fulfill
unless the minorities supported.
Tamil
Congress leader G.G.Ponnambalam demanded equal representation, better
known as fifty –fifty. However the Muslims stood fully behind the
majority community and help to meet the British demand for the support
of two third of the population despite past sufferings and
disadvantages.
Addressing
a gathering at Zahra College grounds under the chairmanship of Sir
Mohamed Macan Markar to protest against the inadequate representation of
Muslims in the Legislative Council Dr. Badiduddin Mahmoud, the
Secretary of the All Ceylon Muslim Political Conference said on 5 March
1939;
“Let
me assure my Sinhalese countrymen that I am one among them in demanding
complete freedom for our country. They can count on me as one of the
most ardent admirers of their legitimate national and cultural
aspirations. In me and in my community, let them know that they find the
most trusted friends and kind neighbors in this island. They would
never find wanting in me or in my community that unflinching loyalty and
patriotism that this little island would demand one day from its sons
and daughters to carve out a niche of fame for itself as a self-
respecting unit in a world federation. Let me also assure my Sinhalese
friends that the brave community to which I belong shall never considerany
sacrifice too great to make Lanka a happy, prosperous and glorious
country in the world where not one section of its population but every son and daughter of her soil shall legitimately take pride in her glorious destiny”.
In
keeping with this policy the three Muslim representatives in the State
Council extended their whole- hearted support for the “Dominion Status
Bill” – a Sri Lankan bill sponsored by the late Mr.S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike
when it came for the vote on 9 November 1945. T.B.Jayah and Dr M.C.M
Kaleel spoke in favour of the bill while Sir Razik Fareed and Dr Kaleel
voted in favour as Jayah was not present during the time of voting.
During
his speech Razik Fareed said” “the All Ceylon Moors Association
pledge their support to the resolution of the Hon Leader under
discussion today. Nothing else would at the moment give me great
pleasure to do so, and to express my whole hearted support to the Hon
leader’s proposal. As my community and I have always stood by them, I
must say that in the hour of his triumph we join hands with him in the
forward march to the goal of the proposal to which he aspires”…
Supporting
the Sri Lankan Bill despite its disadvantages to Muslims and defining
the attitude of Muslims towards the bill Mr.T.B. Jayah said:” I am glad,
Sir, that it has been stated that this is not the moment for jubilation
or exultation or even for mutual recrimination. I certainly think that
this is not the occasion to speak of the discomfiture of the minority
communities’ or of the victory of the majority community”.
“As
far as I am concerned, I speak with the full support of members of the
Muslim community. I saw to it that the Ceylon Muslim League,
representing the Muslim community of Ceylon, consulted Muslim
representatives in different parts of the country on the important
issues before the house and I am in a position to say that the Muslim
members of this Council have the fullest backing of the Muslim community
in this island”.
“When
the Muslims of the Council decided to take a definite stand at the time
the Sri Lanka –Bill was introduced, they did so for one and one reason
only. The reason was that where the political freedom of this country
was involved, they were prepared to go to any length, even to the point
of sacrificing advantages and benefit as a result of such action”. As
far as I am concerned, Sir, I do not consider any right greater than the
right of political freedom and therefore, although I am fully conscious
of those disadvantages of the Bill, looking at it from a narrow point
of view, yet I am prepared to support this Bill”.
Expressing
his gratitude to the Muslim members on behalf of the Sinhalese
community, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike assured that he would consider any
reasonable request by the Muslim community. Bandaranaike said:” I say
that if any member has brought closer the achievement of agreement among
the various sections of the people of the country by an attitude of
generosity where even those with whom he is concerned to differ, I say
the fullest credit must go more than anyone else among us to the
Honorable nominated Member, Mr. T.B. Jayah. He has made a speech today
that will have a great effect in bringing unity among the people of this
country in bringing some sense of reality to this struggle, however it
may shape, that we are going to undertake to obtain a satisfactory
measure of freedom”..
“
What have the three members,T.B.Jayah,Dr M.C.M.Kaleel and Razik Fareed,
have done? There is provided in the Bill a Scheme of Representation
under which the Muslim community in this country might suffer in the
form in which it appears, but yet, he himself so sincerely determined to
work for the main idea of freedom that he was prepared to vote for the
principle embodied in the Bill”.
“But
I can give the Hon Nominated member, Mr T.B.Jayah, this assurance on
behalf of, I think, the vast majority, at least the Community that I
represent, that in the struggle for freedom whatever may or may not be
the recommendation of the Soulbury Commission on our representation, he
may be rest assured that we will be quite prepared to consider any
reasonable point of view that, might be put forward.
Thus
the Muslim support provided the required support of two third majority
of the population paving the way for the island’s independence on 4
February 1948 when Mr. D.S.Senanayake lowered the British flag and
hoisted the Sri Lankan National Flag and declared the island’s
independence.
Muslims
have lived in harmony and peace with the Sinhalese and Tamils for
centuries and they wanted to continue to do so. As stated by former
Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva rightly that “Muslims have been a
peaceful ethnic group interacting with other religious and ethnic
groups, cordially interlinking those cultures with their own culture.
They never organized themselves for armed insurrection or destruction”.
They were not party to the ethnic conflict. However their sufferings were immense.
What
many conveniently forget is the crucial role played by the Muslims in
preserving the territorial integrity of the island. For example, during
the early days, Tamil militants' call for a separate state had the full
backing of India and the island's armed forces were not equipped or
trained, as they are today, to deal with them.
From
the very inception, Muslims throughout the country vehemently opposed
calls for the division of the country and firmly stood for territorial
integrity and unity. Nevertheless, they were entangled into this
unfortunate and unwanted ethnic conflict only to face death,
devastation, loss of properties and livelihood and displacement with no
appreciation. Around 130,000 Muslims driven out from Jaffna have been
still languishing in refugee camps in appalling conditions and their
plight is nobody’s business for more than 20 years.
Had
the Muslims joined the Tamil militancy during its early stage the
island's fate would have been sealed and the history would have
projected a new political landscape. It is unfortunate that these
sufferings and sacrifices have never been highlighted in its proper
perspective. I am sure the Muslim community is prepared to take ten
steps if the authorities take one-step to take them into confidence to
pave the way for cordiality and communal harmony.
Link: //latheeffarook.com/index.php/srilanka-muslims/657-unconditional-muslim-support.
