*Dr Badiuddin Mahmud- the man who served the nation as college principal and minister remembered on his death anniversary* 

Dr Badiuddin Mahmud- the man who served the nation as college principal and minister remembered on his death anniversary

Sailan Muslim Muslim 

Sixteenth June is the death anniversary Dr, Badiuddin Mahmud- the iron man who served the nation through his dynamic personality left no stone unturned as college principal and a minister.

His life was peaceful and died as an ordinary man who never amassed wealth through his political career. He said what he really meant what he said  and what is useful for the people.

He is fondly remembered by his students and political followers who still revere him as a Guru in politics and education.

 Deshamanya Al-Haj Badi-ud-din Mahmud (23 June 1904 – 16 June 1997) was a Sri Lankan politician. He served ten years as Minister of Education and two years as the Minister of Health and Housing.[1][2]

Early life

Badi-ud-din Mahmud was born in Matara, a town in the south of Sri Lanka. He was born into one of the most distinguished Sri Lankan Moor families of that time as the youngest of twelve siblings. His father was S.L.M. Mahmud Naina Marikkar Mathicham, better known as Matara Mahatmaya, who was an affluent planter and landed proprietor; Badi-ud-din Mahmud’s mother was Fathima Natchiya. Mahmud was educated in his childhood at St. Thomas’ College, and Wesley College, Colombo. He completed his higher education at Zahira College, Colombo, with the completion of his Cambridge Senior Examination. At Zahira College, he took interest in literature, tennis, and athletics.[citation needed]

He was raised in a strictly religious atmosphere with traditional Islamic values.  

Muslim League

He first joined the All-Ceylon Muslim League{ in 1927 as a secretary. Originally a small movement, in three months it grew into the most powerful Muslim organization in Ceylon. The All-Ceylon Muslim League helped unite Muslim leaders such as Tuan Burhanudeen Jayah who were previously at odds with each other. Mahmud was also dedicated to social work.[citation needed]

He delivered the first talk on Radio Ceylon during the festival of Hajj, organizing the recital of Takbir to precede his speech. He also initiated the Hajj prayers at Galle Face Green in 1928, which have become an annual feature, and engaged in the promotion of a public mass meeting at Galle Face Green to celebrate the birthday of Muhammad.

Aligarh Muslim University

Mahmud was further educated at Aligarh Muslim University from 1931 to 1937. He excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities.[citation needed]

His most prominent achievements include ranking second in the Inter-Arts Examination in the First Division, and obtaining a B.A. as the top performer in the examination. Some of his other accomplishments were the gold medal of the All-India Public Speaking Competition, the Aligarh – The Oxford Meston Prize in 1937 for outstanding debating ability, and being appointed editor of the university’s magazine for two successive years. In 1935, he was unanimously elected president of the U.P. University Students Federation. He presided over the All-India Students Conventions at Lucknow and organized the All-India Students Movement.

Mohammad Habib, a professor and provost of Mahmud, described his pupil:

“ Badiudin has been intimately known to me since 1932 as a valued pupil, comrade and friend. His academic career has been exceptionally brilliant. Badiudin studied politics with me for two years (1933–35). He impressed me as a very promising student, as one of those rare but most welcome pupils, who are an inspiration to teachers. Few students at Aligarh have created such a fine impression of their abilities and character. His scholarly attainments, excellent manners [sic] leave little to be desired.”

While he was enrolled at Aligarh, Mahmud persuaded Muslim leaders in the Second Round Table Conference at London to support the Indian independence movement; the people that he persuaded included Shaukat Ali, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Muhammad Iqbal, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, Muhammad Shafi, Zafar Ali Khan, Syed Mahmud, Bacha Khan, Mirza Ismail, and Syed Sultan Ahmed.

On Mahmud’s arrival in Sri Lanka from Aligarh, the Muslim League organized a highly attended reception to him. Well-known figures at the meeting included Mohamed Macan Markar, T. B. Jayah, and N.H.M. Abdul Cader.[3]

In 1938, Badi-ud-din Mahmud gave a speech at the birthday celebrations of Muhammad at Galle Face Green. He urged the Muslims of Sri Lanka to learn the Sinhala language because it would be the only official language after Sri Lanka became independent. His prediction was correct. Mahmud furthered his reasoning.

If this is done, all misunderstanding will disappear and there will be perfect harmony between the Sinhalese and the Moors. The adoption of the Tamil language has not benefited the Muslims. On the contrary it has proved a disadvantage to them. Under self-government, which is bound to come sooner or later, the national language of Ceylon should be Sinhalese.

The Muslim community received his proposal negatively.[3]

In the same year, Badi-ud-din Mahmud organized one of the largest demonstrations of the time among Muslims, a mass rally at Galle Face Green in support of the Arabs in Palestine. He delivered a speech to urge the government of Britain to fulfill its promises to Arabs in Palestine.[3]

He helped develop an independent school called Zahira College in Gampola as the first principal. Under his leadership, it grew from a small school consisting of four classrooms, a shed, 67 students, and five teachers to a school that serves the entirety of Sri Lanka with up-to-date facilities. In 1960, Zahira College enrolled over 2000 students. Mahmud developed a uniform of pajamas, frocks, and a dupatta (scarf) for girls at Zahira College; it is now widely accepted in Muslim schools in Sri Lanka but was at first rejected by most. In the classroom, he introduced traditional Islamic cultural activities. As minister of education,he introduced aesthetic studies in the school curriculum.

 MY TRIBUTE TO THE LEADER DR. BADI-UD-DIN MAHMUD: HE CHOSE THE PATH OF DUTY

Dr. Uwais Ahamed

Al-HAJ DR.BADI-UD-DIN MAHMUD, The former Minister of Education and health, passed away peacefully leaving a void in the Muslim community of this country which is indeed difficult to fill. His death brings to my mind what the president of Finland Urho Kekkonen said when Panvo Nurmi of Finland, who was considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all dies in 1973.

‘When nature removes a great man, people explore the horizon for a successor. But none comes and none will, for his class is extinguish for all time.’

 This, I believe, is very true of Dr.Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud.

Dr. Mahmud has his early education at St. Thomas’s College in Matara, his home town, and at Zahira College, Maradana. He subsequently had a distinguish and colurful academic career at the Aligrah University India, Which was founded by the eminent scholar and educationalist Sir. Seyed Ahamed Khan from whom he drew much inspiration that helped him to blossom in to a leading educationalist in his later days. 

It was in Aligrah University that be horn his political horns as well. He proved himself to be a fine leader and an excellent orator which paved him the way for him being elected to the coveted post of president, all India Student Union. 

Dr. Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud was a faithful discipline of Sri Lanka’s eminent leader, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and when the SLFP was formed he was elected join secretary of the party. In 1956, when the MEP spearheaded by the SLFP won the general election, Dr. Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud did not seek a cabinet Minister’s position. Instead he preferred who continued as Principal of Gampola Zahira College, from which position he brought to bear his entire attention on the educational upliftment of the Muslim community. In this Enterprise he found a great ally in Dr. W Dahanayake who was Minister of Education. 

Together they were able to bring about a renaissance in the realm of Muslim education. The creation of the Schools, appointment of teachers of newly established Muslim schools, and the accelerated training of Muslim teachers were the order of the day.

In 1960, and again in 1970, when he took over the reins of education in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike governments, he displayed great tenacity, courage and fortitude in all that he undertook to do. These were the qualities that stood him in good stead when he introduced a national system education in the phase of threat and protest from vested interest. He lead his team of officials revolutionize the system of education with the rural child very much in focus. Prevocational studies, which were made compulsory for all the children beyond Grade 6 provided a technological orientation to there thinking and was a great boom to them in later life.

Dr.Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud’s heart was always in Gampola Zahira College which he served as Principal with diligence, dignity and distinction. Only a few huts were all that he had when he took over as Principal. With Sir Seyed Ahmed Khan, his mental at Aligarh very much in his mind, he built this School brick by brick to what it is today. Bricks and motar along do not make a school. Gampola Zairians’ who went through the portals of this great institutions and who now hold positions of trust and responsibility in various field of human endeavor are evidence of the qualitative impact this school has had on the society.

When I was Principal of Gampola Zahira, Dr.Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud suggested to me that it would be a good idea if I could have the public address system extended so that the proceedings of the weekly school assembly on Monday mornings could also be heard by those outside the assembly hall. Though I knew there wasn’t anybody outside the hall during assembly time, I dutifully installed the speaker outside the school hall in difference to the wishes of the Minister.

Later, I came to know that he wanted this done so that he could sing alone with the children the college Anthem, which was his composition, and listen to the principal’s “though of the week” that followed. His spacious home stood adjoining the school. He had a deep respect for the principal’s office and was always a source of inspiration to the staff, students and past students. 

Dr.Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud will always be remembered as a leader who detested divisive and parochial politics and who worked painstakingly towards unity both within the community and in the country. He was a leader who never went after perks and posts. Instead of personal gains he always looked for opportunities to work for the common goal. I shall conclude this short tribute by quoting Jose Marti the Cuban national hero which typifies the man, Dr.Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud.

‘A true man does not seek the path where advantages lies, but rather the path where duty lies’.

Idayaththil Valvor- 2 By A.L.M. Razick

Badi-ud-din Mahmud – A patriot The bottomline.-2009/06/17

 Dr Badi-ud-din Mahmud - A patriot

By Akram Mukhtar

Taking on the task of writing about the late Dr. Badi-ud-din Mahmud is a challenge to anyone - moreso to the writer who cannot boast of any journalistic skill or prior experience. A revolutionary in a positive sense, he was a man with a mission from his early childhood. The very same flame that ignited him into public life remained intact and undiminished till his very end. He sought and loved challenges. Although some might describe him as arrogant, this was more the authoritarian countenance which he was gifted with from birth. He did not tolerate mediocrity; a perfectionist in every sense - to fail was never an option. However, that did not deter him from caring for the weak or less fortunate. He stood for what he thought was right and stood firm. This was a man with the skill to mix his varying qualities to great advantage, more for his country than himself. Above all, he was a true nationalist who loved his country and its people. His ideals were based upon progressive socialism which did not conflict with his faith.
This unique man, who parted company on June 16, 1997, left behind an indelible mark in the history of this nation.
Dr. Mahmud’s (Buddy to his friends) life began on June 23, 1904 in the southern tip of Sri Lanka - the youngest child of a then average sized family of twelve. His lineage descends from the prominent ‘Mukaddam’ family of Weligama with a recorded ancestral history of more than twelve generations. His early childhood was shared between Weligama and Matara to where the Mukaddam family roots had spread. His father, popularly known as ‘Matara Mahataya’ was a respected figure in the local community, a title less due his wealth and more due to his popularity as a humanitarian amongst all the communities, who also established the now famous ‘Arafath Vidyalaya’ in Weligama. These traits Dr. Mahmud certainly inherited from his father; yet, it was his grandfather Seyed Mustapha Notaris (Weligama Korale Notaris Ralahamy), who lived to be a 100 and was well versed in the Sinhala and Tamil languages that was to be his early mentor and idol. They shared a close bond. Dr. Mahmud often spoke very affectionately of his grandfather who adored him. Upon the demise of his parents, one of his older brothers, Proctor Salahuddin took over responsibility and care of Dr. Mahmud with a family that was closely held together by mutual love and affection. In his adult years, as life blessed him with opportunities and success, Dr. Mahmud never did forsake his family or friends and was always available to attend to their concerns. At home he was a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life.
Young Mahmud’s early education was at St. Thomas’ College Matara and Wesley College Colombo. Zahira College Colombo provided him the platform to engage in higher studies where he passed the Cambridge Senior exams. It was here that he first met the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, who upon having returned from Oxford in 1925 was invited to speak at the Zahira College Colombo Literary Association where Dr. Mahmud was the Secretary. Thus began the very long and close friendship which would soon shape the future of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Mahmud, the all-rounder that he was, spread his time between academic studies and literary activities as well as athletics, cricket, boxing, tennis and cadetting (he attended the Diyatalawa camp as a corporal).
A rebel with a cause, at the age of fourteen while at St. Thomas’ College Matara, he refused to bow down to the Union Jack – an act for which he was rewarded with ‘six of the best’ courtesy of the principal’s rod. Again, while at Wesley College during the visit of the Prince of Wales, young Badi-ud-din absented himself from school that day as a show of protest against colonialism. When he was a young man, he was prevented from entering Burma (then known as Rangoon) by the British Raj due to his anti-imperialist stands. All this being just a glimpse of his revolutionary nature.
Having arrived in India, it was not long before Dr. Mahmud began to pursue his passion for becoming a leader and the voice of the students. He had the honour of sharing the platform with Indian freedom movement leaders of such stature as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohamed Ali Jinnah who were appreciative of young Mahmud’s oratory skills.
In 1931, Aligarh University provided him the platform to launch his charge. Those who knew of his debating skills and his deeply resonating voice would not be surprised to learn that he was the first prize winner of the ‘All India Oratorical Contest’. His popularity and versatility were duly recognised when he was elected President of the All India Students Union. He utilised every opportunity he came across to travel the region, visiting among others, Afghanistan and Malaya (as it was then called); a vocal ant-imperialist, much to the dismay of the British.
Despite his success and the temptation to remain longer in India, he felt the irresistible need to answer the call of his motherland, to aid in the struggle for independence. And so he arrived back in Ceylon, armed with a Masters degree from the Aligarh University and began to launch his political career in the style and splendour that was his trade-mark.
He took to politics like a fish takes to water. He wasted no time in organising a mass meeting of Muslims on March 5, 1939 that was to mark the beginning of his political struggle for independence. He became the President of the Muslim League. This led him to rub shoulders with the giants of the independence movement while holding his own. His association with S.W.R.D. was renewed. Initially, he joined the UNP, as S.W.R.D. had done. However, their stay within the UNP camp was short lived due to disagreements with the leadership. At the time, rumour had it that S.W.R.D. (who was considered the most qualified to be the country’s first Prime Minister) submitted to the plea’s of the late D.S. Senanayake, who asked that S.W.R.D. not run against him for prime-minister ship on the promise that S.W.R.D. would succeed DS as the second Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. However, S.W.R.D. felt betrayed when the Lake House (whose owners were close kith and kin of DS) began publishing negative stories about S.W.R.D. and it was not long before he figured it all out. The rest is history. S.W.R.D. formed the SLFP with Dr. Mahmud as a founding member. Interestingly, it was the recommendation of Dr. Mahmud and Mr. Sri Nissanka KC that the official party colour be blue as it stood for prosperity. The subsequent 1956 elections were hard fought. The SLFP won by an unprecedented majority and reduced the UNP to just eight seats in Parliament. Dr. Mahmud’s contribution and support was invaluable to S.W.R.D. this earned him the position of the first joint General Secretaries of the SLFP along with Sri Nissanka in 1960.
Dr. Mahmud was later responsible for the formation of the Islamic Socialist Front, based on the belief that the SLFP had much more to offer to the Muslims of Sri Lanka against the illusionary promises of the UNP. True to his vision, he was responsible for transforming and uplifting the muslim community by creating a mass of educational and employment opportunities. Today, almost all Muslim intellectuals, academics and professionals are second and third generation descendants of the people whose lives were thus uplifted by Dr. Mahmud’s visionary work.
An educationist by heart, he took up the challenge of taking over the position of principal at Gampola Zahira College in 1944. For a southerner, Gampola was alien territory. The Tamil dialect used by the southerner was quite different to the ‘Gampola Tamil’ dialect. This gave rise to some light hearted wit and humor in the town of Gampola at his expense. When Dr. Mahmud took over, he found himself with seventy students and some Kadjan hut classrooms. It is due his sole and selfless efforts that Gampola Zahira College has been transformed to what it is today. Generations of students from all communities who have passed through the corridors of this great institution of learning will be ever so grateful to Dr. Mahmud.
The late S.W.R.D. could not have chosen a more qualified personality than Dr. Mahmud, to fill the role of the country’s United Nations representative. Dr. A.C.S. Hameed recalls in his condolence speech that when he visited the UN as Foreign Minister, people remembered Dr. Mahmud affectionately. His proficiency did not go unnoticed and he was elected Vice Chairman of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee at the UN General Assembly.
He was much shaken at the sudden and tragic death of S.W.R.D. Having returned to Sri Lanka, he faithfully and promptly supported Madam Srimavo Bandaranaike as she became the Prime Ministerial candidate at the general elections and won with a clear majority. Dr. Mahmud was awarded the portfolio of Minister of Education. This, his first tenure in office happened at a very controversial time, where he introduced a bill in Parliament to take-over control of the assisted schools. Much uproar, debate and discussion on this issue followed. In fact, a case filed by Zahira College Colombo went up to the Privy Council (the highest court of law) contesting its take-over. This was ironic, Gampola Zahira College being his alma-mater. Sadly, Dr. Mahmud’s plan to develop Zahira College as the premier school for Muslims along-side schools such as Royal College and Ananda College were shattered. The tragic condition and less than average standards of this school ever since, are an indictment of the Muslim leaders who then had neither the vision, nor the interest of the Muslim Community at heart when they resorted to subvert this take-over for political or other selfish reasons. Due to this, generations of young deserving children have been deprived of quality education and a brighter future.
Not willing to give up, he exerted his resources to the development of Gampola Zahira College. It also seemed that he had a specific strategy to overcome the complacency of the Muslim community, who did not seem to be thinking beyond their private business affairs. He was to stir the conscience and the minds of the community to look at education as a future option for progressive development. Being a nationalist he, along with Sir Razick Fareed encouraged Muslims to learn the Sinhala language. This proved to be invaluable to the Muslims both in terms of developing a common language in the country as well as for purpose of employment and business. He did not forget the people of the north and east where he set up the Jaffna University and several higher education colleges. The Pirivena Education Bill was introduced by him. The Sinhala language was given its due place in schools. He had no ulterior motives. His mission was simple - to serve the nation and people with equity irrespective of race or religion.
It seemed that Dr. Mahmud was never able to steer away from controversy. In fact, he seemed to thrive on it. As Minister of Health, he introduced the Medical Privatisation Bill; which would regulate private practice by government doctors. This too caused much debate and he was confronted with opposition from the medical profession. Undeterred, he stood firm and overcame these problems.
In hindsight, it seemed that Dr. Mahmud was the right person at the right time. His courage, determination and wit enabled him to overcome the challenges brought on by the magnitude of changes his government introduced in order to bring social justice to the people. He revamped the educational system, modernising it from colonial methods. Much of Sri Lanka’s contemporary education has its roots in the systems that he founded. He strongly believed in the education of girls and was often heard saying ‘educating a boy is educating an individual but educating a girl is educating a community’. The First Republican Constitution has embraced valuable contributions by Dr. Mahmud. Sri Lanka honoured him with the title of Deshamanya for his services to the country during the Presidency of the late J.R. Jayewardene.
Finding a fitting way to conclude this account of Dr. Mahmud will be akin to unraveling a riddle: there are so many aspects to his life. We have only managed to touch briefly on some parts of his life. The rabbit’s hole goes much deeper.
It is appropriate that we appreciate some of the things he enjoyed in his personal life. His taste for sartorial excellence, as his contemporaries knew was unmatchable. It was no wonder that he was referred to as the ‘best dressed politician’ in Parliament. He took great care about his appearance. Many who had the pleasure of dining at his house would know what kind of treats awaited them. From the tantalising aromas emanating from his talented wife’s kitchen to the delectable conversations that always accompanied the feast. Dr. Mahmud’s home was famous for being host to many interesting discussions and debates.
One could always tell from the activities in the kitchen that a feast was underway for a VIP. The range of culinary dishes -each one a unique work of art, was a delight to those fortunate to partake. His wife was an indispensable companion and an asset to him. Dr. Mahmud loved his food - from the sophisticated to his simple Matara favourites. Whenever he longed for a truly Matara meal, he would task one of his nieces the job of making a variety of his favourite dishes. As children, we found him to be a friendly uncle. Those days were nostalgic times when he used to load up his old Ford car with all his grand nieces and nephews and drive us up to the Dondra Light House or some other place of amusement. He seemed to enjoy those drives as much as we did.
Personally to me, my great uncle, whom I fondly called ‘Baddi Mama’, was also a godfather figure who oversaw my life and education. I have much to thank him for. I spent ten years of my boyhood under his stern watch at Gampola Zahira College. His strict code of fairness ensured that no one was spared the rod –not even his own grand-nephew. I recall one instance when I was a boy, as a prank, I decided to uproot and run away with the netball post while the girls match was in progress. Uncle Baddi had eyes and ears everywhere. The most faithful of these was the school peon, Krishnan. It was not long before I was summoned to his office and received six of his best, right across my palms. Needless to say that was the last time I made any attempt to play any more pranks – none that he knew of, anyway.
Today, twelve years has passed since Dr. Mahmud departed our world. The vacuum left by great leaders like Dr. Mahmud is felt even more keenly when contrasted against the calibre of Muslim leadership that we are left with in the present political arena. One ponders, nay, hopes that another Dr. Mahmud might appear and lead from where this great man left off.
May the Almighty Allah have mercy on his soul!