Sri lanka Muslims Web Portal Diversity and Inclusiveness
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference, which is primarily a youth and youth serving community based organization [CBO], that was founded on the 30 April 1950 with seventeen YMMA Branches coming under one umbrella under the distinguished leadership of Marhoom Al-Haj Dr. A. M. A. Azeez (Ceylon Civil Service) as Founder National President with Al-Haj Lafir Cassim as the founder National General Secretary will be reaching a unique milestone its Diamond Jubilee at the end of April 2010.
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference is incorporated by the Act of Parliament No 31 of 1968 and is declared as an Approved Charitable Institution by the Ministry of Finance. During the course of the last 60 years it has served the Muslim community and the country in numerous ways by promoting in every field of endeavor by contributing to the building of healthy, vigorous and intelligent youth movement. It has imbibed into our young men a sense of dedication and service to the community and country. It has provided opportunities and awareness to develop their skills and talents within the framework of Islamic teaching and the culture of our country.
As a National Organization, our outreach is not limited to catering to the needs and aspirations of the Muslim community alone. We have a distinctive blend of social service that covers all communities irrespective of their belonging that has helped to preserve its identity as national in character.
It has spotlighted the poverty and illiteracy among the large section of our community and endeavored to minimize these by practical and realistic measure in various other ways. It has raised the state of the people of this country in equal terms to build a united, happy, peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference presently has 102 Branches spread over the length and breadth of Sri Lanka, having its National Headquarters at No 63, Sri Vagirangana Mawatha, Colombo 09. The central administration with infrastructure facilities handled by permanent staff is also houses the National Headquarters.
The Board of Trustees, a permanent body under a Chairman, comprising of all Past Presidents, are the Custodians of all funds and assets of the Organization. They are also in charge of the recruitment of the staff; and basically play the role of Advisors. The key officials of the Organization (National President / National General Secretary and the National General Treasurer) are Ex -officio Members of the Board of Trustees linking the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.
The Executive Committee comprises of the National President, who is the head of the Organization, the National General Secretary (the Chief Executive Officer),the National General Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Eleven member YMMA (Branches), Eleven Special Members, all of who are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The Past National Presidents, / Past National General Secretaries, /Past National Treasurers are Members of the Executive Committee by virtue of office.
The Executive Committees is responsible for the operation and implementation of all activities/Projects and Programs of the Conference.
The main focus of the Executive Committee’s activities is:
- Education/Scholarship
- Socio-Economic Development –Poverty Alleviation/Job bank
- Social JusticeHuman RightsNational Integration
- Leadership Training/Vocational Training/Career Guidance
- Anti Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco/Aids Prevention and Health Care
- Advocacy role on National issues
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference has its own Constitution. Accordingly the Annual General Meeting democratically elects the office bearers, adopts the Annual Report and accepts the Annual Audited Statement of Accounts.
In YMMA Conference’s 60 years of service, it has produced 44 National Presidents, adopted 59 Annual Reports and has submitted 59 Audited Statement of Accounts.
The Central Council comprises of the entire Membership and is the policy making body. The Members of the Central Council also attend the AGM to elect the office bearers.
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference in its plan to decentralize the Administration has established many regional Administrative Centres under a Regional Director and Regional Chairman to be in charge of the Regional Operations. The first of the Regional Administration and Training Centre has been established in Bammana, in the Kurunegala District and has a fully fledged facility which is housed in a seven acre expanse and is an outright gift of NOVIB of Netherlands.
The All Ceylon YMMA Conference eschews party politics and has the support and acceptance of all Governments and of all political parties. It also has very good connections with many Embassies and High Commissions resulting in the YMMA Conference being consulted by the Diplomatic Corps on various community and national issues. The Conference has good connections with many International Funding Agencies which has brought in funding and co-operation to our people.
The membership is a mix of the young and elders, blending together in its day to day operations, comprising of – Academics /Professionals /Doctors /Lawyers /Accountants /Marketers /Teachers/ Businessmen, Traders and Students.
The Government in recognition of the service of the Conference issued a Commemorative stamp for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in the year 2000.
It is with a sense of humility but with a mix of grandeur to suit the event that deserves due its uniqueness’, we are making elaborate arrangements to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee Founders’ Day on 2nd May 2010. “Ghafoor Hall” Zahira Collage, Colombo 10 will be the venue, which is centrally located with all the necessary amenities and a place that would bring nostalgic memories to many a participant. The event will commence with solemn prayers for well being of all members and their families that would be followed by remembrance of all the dearly departed members and invocation of prayers for their eternal bliss.
This year the YMMA has decided to commemorate the Founders Day, to make use of this solemn occasion to bring together a representative gathering of the Muslim Community and all other interested to launch a lecture session on the importance of Unity in the Muslim Community and address the great need there-of a civil and political leadership of Muslim in Sri Lanka and to create a generation of men worthy of the highest traditions of Islam.
In compliance with customs that is followed since inception, the event will be held under the Chairmanship of the National President, Mr. A. Fahmee Oowise.
The participation of Mr. T. K. Azoor, Principal of Zahira College, Colombo as a distinguished Guest of Honour would be coincidental as the Founder of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference Dr. A. M. A. Azeez was also the Principal of the College at the time of the inauguration, during the period that could be termed as a golden era of the College.
