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He is the paternal grand father of Sir Razik Fareed; THE GREAT BUILDER who built most of the prominent land marks in Colombo.
A Muslim by faith , Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar was born in 1829. He was a descendent of the Sheikh Fareed family of Iraq who arrived in Ceylon in 1060 AD. He was a Renowned Architect and a Mason of British Ceylon.
He had started off his career as an apprentice working under expert builders. He flair for Islamic architecture can be seen in the many arches used in his works. He mastered the building profession and undertook the erection of buildings independently as a building contractor.
Many generations have come and gone but his works are still remaining solid and strong, reminding us of his great contributions to this land.
He is the builder of
- The General Post Office in Colombo,
- The Colombo Museum,
- Colombo Customs,
- Old Town Hall in Pettah,
- Zahira College building,
- The Galle Face Hotel,
- Victoria Arcade,
- Finlay Moir building,
- The Clock Tower,
- Batternburg Battery etc…etc.
In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by His Excellency, Governer Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims present. At the end of the ceremony His Excellency asked Arasi Marikar Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. The same question was asked by His Excellency from the carpenter who assisted Wapchi Marikar with the wood work of the Museum who desired a local Rank and was honoured accordingly. Wapchi Marikar, noticing the large number of Muslims present, feared that they would spend their time at the Museum on Friday during the Islamic congregational prayer, and requested that the Museum be closed on Fridays. This request has been adhered to by all authorities in charge of the Museum to this day.
Wapchi Marikar contributed his wealth to the development of his community’s welfare, religious, economical, social, and educational needs.
He searched for more avenues and opportunities to help them in every way possible. He resided in the vicinity of wthe present Maradana Mosque grounds and patronized the mosque. His family residence was acquired by the state for railway extensions thus compeling him to build his new residence at Vauxhall Street .He continued to contribute towards the development of the Maradana Mosque and also joined hand with M.C.Siddi Lebbe, who started the Muslim educational movement in 1880.
Together they did a great deal to uplift the Srilankan Muslim Community .
“No man is truly great who is great only in his lifetime. The test of greatness is the page of history.”
~Aash Zee
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