THE BRIDGE BUILDER

Obituary speech made by Late A. C. S. Hameed MP, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Parliament passed the Vote of condolence on former Speaker and member of Parliament Marhoom Deshamanya Al-Haj Bakeer Markar last week. Glowing tributes were paid to him from both sides of the House and various aspects of his services were recognised and reiterated.

It is very unique moment in the history of Parliament when the son of a demised Member of Parliament sat and listened to the tribute paid to his dear father.

This was a sad but unforgettable experience for Imtiaz Bakeer Markar who is now a Member of Parliament representing the same District which his father did. Imtiaz Bakeer Markar listened in deep thought to what the Members of Parliament had to say. Just before the Speaker directed Parliament to convey the message of condolence to the members of the bereaved family, Imtiaz Bakeer Markar acknowledged the tributes paid to his father with gratitude and humility.

I have known Bakeer Markar for many, many years. I was not a student of Zahira College, Colombo but I had many friends who came under the guidance of Bakeer Markar. They talked of him fondly and referred to him as a student counsellor who found sufficient time and sympathy for rural students who felt lost in the cosmopolitan environment. He was a liberal to his fingertips, relaxed and was not to be excited or ruffled easily.

His philosophy in life was anti-en-

Bakeer Markar was one of the most articulate Muslim leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. He was a fluent speaker and convincing debater. He never hurt anyone with his tongue. He lived a good Muslim, and died a good Muslim.

mity, and anti acrimony. These qualities he carried out into the field of politics. He had a good practice at Kalutara bar where he hardly had any enemies though Kalutara Bar during his time was largely dominated by lawyers of leftist orientation.

Bakeer entered Parliament in 1960 March, but unfortunately he lost in July General Elections, and won again in 1965, but lost in 1970 when there was a wave against the UNP. He returned in 1977 with one of the largest majorities in the country. He was a very good mixer, quick to generate warmth and put even strangers at ease, and this relaxed philosophy in life made him look at problems in a calm collected and cool manner.

Bakeer was a good MP and devoted a lot of time to his constituency and was basically a bridge builder between Muslims and other communities, hailing from Beruwela, the cradle of Muslims’ history in Sri Lanka, he strove hard to maintain a balance among the various communities — Buddhists, Christians and Muslims. Right through his career there never was the charge of his being partial to any community. Bakeer, during his stewardship, strove as far as he could to provide the necessary infrastructure and to upgrade the educational opportunities to the then backward Beruwela constituency.

As Speaker in Parliament, he was able to generate confidence in the Opposition and sometimes made fearless rulings which were not to the liking of the government of the day. Being a senior Muslim lawyer, he felt the need for a political forum for the Muslim youths. The Muslim community of YMMAs, a non-political organisation which today function effectively.

Two Speakers had very close ties with the media. Bakeer Markar and Dr. Anandatissa De Alwis, Bakeer Markar had cultivated the media closely, met them received them regularly at Mumtaz Mahal, talked to them freely and listened patiently. He was totally opposed to the Press being gagged, controlled or being made the Voice of the State, this was in keeping with this liberal outlook in life.

As Speaker Mr. Bakeer Markar travelled widely. He proved to be a successful ambassador of good will and wherever he went he left behind a very pleasant impression. I have known of occasions where foreign personalities have made very complimentary reference to him. He met series of world leaders, inclusive of troubled President Suharto of Indonesia and controversial President Saddam of Iraq. Mr. Bakeer Markar represented President Jayewardene at the funeral of President Anwar Sadat.

Bakeer Markar was one of the most articulate Muslim leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. He was a fluent speaker and convincing debater. He never hurt anyone with his tongue. He lived a good Muslim, and died a good Muslim. The thousands of people who gathered to pay their respects to him were unanimous in their judgment that he was a good man and a leader of rare qualities.

Mr. Bakeer Markar had patience in abundance and in excess which was his forte. This rich storehouse of tolerance stood by him in all difficult and delicate situations — as a Lawyer, as a Member of Parliament, as Speaker and as a Leader. He knew that politicians harboured grievances. He knew that in politics there was no bed of roses. He knew that in politics there was jealousy and organised hatred, but he never surrendered to the evil side of politics. He dismissed them, held them at bay and never allowed them to take the upper hand in his life. He was quick to forget and forgive.