A Sri Lankan Muslim Pioneer – 2 (Dr T. B. Jayah)

1️⃣ Introduction

• The newspaper "The Crescent – 1946" praised him as "the Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan of Sri Lanka".
• He holds a lasting place in the educational and political history of Sri Lanka – especially of its Muslims.

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2️⃣ Birth and education

• At school he had the standing of "an outstanding student".
• Prizes he won: the J. A. C. Mendis mathematics prize, the Dr E. Bell Latin prize, the Christopher Obeyesekere first prize for Western literature, and the best-student-in-class prize.

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3️⃣ Teaching career

• Although he registered as a law student, he loved teaching most.
• So he left a lasting mark as "an educationist".

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4️⃣ Concern for Muslim education

• At that time the Sri Lankan Muslim community was behind in education, and was isolated and pushed aside in cultural and political life as well.
• His experience at Prince of Wales', Dharmaraja and Ananda helped him.
• The point of one of his speeches (summary): other communities have produced many lawyers, doctors, members of the State Council and experts; how many do we have?
• He set out to make Siddi Lebbe's dream come true – he believed that it was through English education that Muslims could rise in education, society and politics.

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5️⃣ His work at Zahira College

• 1921 – Principal of Zahira College.
• The situation then: 6 teachers, 51 students; no proper furniture; the single building was used at night as a place for people to stay.
• Within two decades it grew rapidly to the standard of Ananda, Royal and St Thomas'.

Crises and expansion

• The economic depression of 1930 and the Second World War → setbacks.
• During the war the Muslims of Colombo were evacuated; Zahira became military quarters.
• He turned this into an opportunity to spread education to the outer districts → branches at Gampola, Aluthgama, Matale and Puttalam.

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6️⃣ Learning in a religious environment – Jayah's thinking

• Religion plays an important part in developing the human personality.
• Students should learn in a religious environment; at the same time there must be coexistence that respects the beliefs of other religions too.
• Education in a religious environment → should create patriotism, concern for social welfare, and care for the underprivileged.
• Education on the right path → the country's problems will be solved quickly.
• He also paid attention to the education of Muslim girls, which had been neglected.

Teachers' welfare

• He wanted the economic condition of teachers to improve.
• He was president of both the All Ceylon Teachers' Union and the Ceylon Headmasters' Association.

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7️⃣ Political contribution

• His statement (summary): "For me, there is no greater right than political freedom."
• Close to the All Ceylon Muslim League; he won for the League the standing of representative of the Muslim community.
• 1936 – 1947 – a political life that helped lead to national independence.
• Minister of Labour in the cabinet of the first Prime Minister, D. S. Senanayake.

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8️⃣ Diplomatic service

• 1950 – Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Pakistan.
• Chosen as head of the diplomatic corps there.
• The University of Karachi awarded him an honorary doctorate.

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9️⃣ Religious service and death

• In 1960 he went to Saudi Arabia for discussions on setting up a hostel in Makkah for Sri Lankan hajis (pilgrims).
• 31 May 1960 – he died there of illness.
• He was buried in Jannat al-Baqi' with state honours from the Saudi government.
• 31.05.1981 – the Sri Lankan government issued a stamp.

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Memory tip

"1890 born – 1921 principal – 1924 politics – 1950 Pakistan – 1960 Baqi'"

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Quick revision

• "The Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan of Sri Lanka" – The Crescent, 1946.
• Malay community; born 1890 in Galagedara.
• 1916 University of London B.A.; 1917 teacher at Ananda.
• 1921 principal of Zahira (6 teachers, 51 students).
• Branches: Gampola, Aluthgama, Matale, Puttalam.
• 1924 Legislative Council; Minister of Labour (D. S. Senanayake).
• 1950 High Commissioner to Pakistan; honorary doctorate from the University of Karachi.
• Died 31 May 1960 in Saudi Arabia; Jannat al-Baqi'.