The Makola Muslim Orphanage which was established as a pioneer institution to cater to the needs of Muslim Orphan children has completed half a century and celebrated it’s Golden Jubilee recently.
It was celebrated on a grand scale at it’s Yathama School premises in Malwana on 14th October, 2012 under the Presidentship of Haji D.A.S. Mohamed, President of the Board of Management. On this occasion the Annual Prize Distribution of the Yathama School and the Anvarul Uloom Arabic College run by the M.M.O was also held.
An Art Exhibition was also inaugurated on this Golden Jubilee celebrations portraying the talents and capabilities of the students in the school. As a remembrance of this grand occasion, a Rest Room for the benefit of the mothers visiting the orphanage to see their children was also declared opened by the International Islamic Donor Organization’s Director’s representative As-Sheik Salah Kadir Sultan, who is also the Secretary of Asia region and the President of the Board of Management, as the chief Gues.
During the course of his speech at the opening ceremony, Sheik Salah briefly elaborated the close relationship and the ties his organization has with M.M.O and speaking further he stated that he was very glad and happy to see the vast progress and development Makola Muslim Orphanage had made and assured continued support and assistance in the future too. He also expressed his happiness on the great effort, sacrifice and contribution made by the present President, Haji D.A.S. Mohamed and prayed Allah to bestow success on all his efforts and bless him with a long life.
The President of the All Ceylon Jamiathul Ulamah As-Sheik Risvi Mufthi who was the special Guest Speaker, spoke very clearly on the topic ‘The place Islam has given for the people caring orphans’. Speaking further he stated that during the time of Prophet Muhammad (Sal) orphan children were kept and cared in homes. This method had not still come into existence fully. He pointed out that, those caring orphans in their homes should never attempt to change the name of the orphans father, which is totally prohibited in Islam.
The President, B.O.M. Makola Muslim Orphanage Haji D.A.S. Mohamed clearly explained the future plans of the orphanage. He said that for the benefit of Muslim Orphans in Sri Lanka, Marhoom Jabir Hajiaar with the support and assistance of the President of the Tableeq Jamaath at that time Marhoom Haji Haniffa started the orphanage. At the initial stage they faced lot of problems and had to do lot of sacrifices, which we cannot forget. After the demise of Jabir Hajiaar, he had to accept the President’s responsibilities and up to date had completed seven years of service towards the orphanage.
He did not forget to elaborate the progress and the development the orphanage made so far. In his future plans, he said that G.C.E. A/L classes would be started soon for the Yathama School Children. In addition a Separate Vocational Training Centre would be set up for Vocational Training. The in-take of orphans would be increased with an education to meet the requirements of the modern Society. In order to meet the increasing cost of expenditure and be self dependent financially, a 13 Floor Office cum Commercial Building Complex would be constructed on a piece of 87 perches prime land belonging to the Orphanage at Hyde Park Corner, Colombo -2.
He thanked the donors both local and foreign, the people of the Middle East Countries, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar for their financial and economical assistance given. Speaking further he said, that the Building Complex when completed would consists of all modern facilities. All arrangement have been finalised and once the work is accomplished, it would remain as an exemplary example for other organization everywhere. In conclusion he thanked everybody for helping him to achieve this status today.
Subsequently, the First Student and the Life President of the Old Boys Association Moulavi M. Thowfeek in his address, elaborated his early childhood in the Orphanage at its initial stage. His speech greatly capture the heart and mind of the Audience.
On this occasion Library books to the value of Rs. 200,000/= for the benefit of the Orphanage students was donated by the Old Boys Association. The O.B.A also released a publication called ‘Yathama’.
At this Golden Jubilee Celebrations, the Former Speaker and the Patron of the M.M.O. Al-Haj M.H. Mohamed, the Resident Representative of World Assembly of Muslim Youth Omer Idrees, the All Ceylon Jamiathul Ulema Association General Secretary Moulavi M.M.A.Mubarak, the Asst. Secretary Moulavi M.S.M.Thaseem, the Managing Director of Jamiathul Sabab Moulavi M.S.M. Rasheed and a large Number of Old Boys participated, making the celebration a grand success.
Makola Muslim Orphanage which Celebrates it Golden Jubilee, started from a humble beginning and with the passing of this 50 years has successfully grown up and developed into a giant organization. Our prayers are to Allah for it’s future progress and success and for more happy celebration to follow.
