By: Saybhan Samat Rajagiriya
The 70 thousand small Malay community in the island at present is in a state of limbo as they are fast losing their culture, language and identity swamped by the cultures and lifestyles of the majority Sinhalese and Tamils. Some Malays observe the culture of their co-religionists, the Moors, which essentially is different from those of the Malays who originated from Indonesia and Malaysia. The Malays, some of whom were of royal descent, were exiled by the Dutch rulers, while others were brought over here as soldiers, both by the Dutch and British, to help administer the island.
The Malays were originally Hindus, then Buddhists and later became Muslims. In Sri Lanka they are co-religionists with the Sri Lankan Moors, who are of South Indian and Arab descent.
The UNF and the PA governments, despite several appeals from responsible Malay citizens, have lumped them as Muslims. The Malays do not for a moment deny that they are Muslims following the religion of Islam, but since at present ethnicity is most relevant in Sri Lankan society more than at anytime in our history, it is indeed a travesty of justice to ignore the ethnic claim of the Sri Lankan Malays of today.
The history of the Malays in the island is marked by epic achievements. The present day Malays are completely ignorant of the historical glory, values and bravery of this small but courageous and innovative community. The Malays have not caused any trouble to the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil communities. They have co-operated with both main political parties viz. the UNP and the SLFP. They have also had the best of relations with their co-religionists, the Moors. The nature of the Malay psyche is peace, which is propounded by their religion, Islam.
Many Malays finding their opportunities narrowing have made several attempts to migrate to the land of their forefathers in Malaysia and Indonesia. This has been of no avail. It is strange that Malaysia and Indonesia have not taken steps to absorb the Malay population in Sri Lanka, while Australia opened its doors to the Burghers from 1960 onwards. Malaysian and Indonesian politicians make bland statements to justify their stance not to permit Sri Lankan Malay migration. It is indeed a very sad affair.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Malays are fast losing their identity. Many Malays living in Sinhalese areas, now speak Sinhala. They no longer know their own language. Others living in Tamil areas, speak Tamil, and not Malay. They, too, do not know Malay.
Young Malay boys and girls are increasingly marrying the Sinhalese. Malays are gradually integrating with the Sinhalese majority.
The Malay attitude to their religion in Sinhalese areas is shocking. The sermons in the mosques are in Tamil and as the Malays in the Sinhalese areas do not understand Tamil, they are becoming ignorant of Islam. Some of them have given up Islam altogether and their lives, spiritually speaking, is in total disarray. While the English educated Muslims obtain jobs, many Sinhalese and Tamil educated Malays are unemployed. Of the unemployed, many are under-employed doing menial jobs.
As a whole, the Malays cannot afford higher education. Only an handful has obtained degrees. A Malay doctor or engineer is very rare. In the latest destruction of houses by the UDA in Slave Island, 610 houses occupied by Malays are earmarked for destruction.
A handful of concerned Malays has made attempts to arrest this downward trend that the community is facing. The Malays Rupee Fund, an old social service organisation, has made an admirable effort to alleviate the poverty stricken Malays. Malay language classes to preserve their language are being conducted under the auspices of the Malaysian Embassy. These efforts are cosmetic and inadequate to uplift the Malays.
Some sort of political representation is necessary. Even with regard to this, the Malays are under a pall of apathy. The Conference of Sri Lanka Association of Malays [COSLAM] made some noises to work for Malays representation in parliament, but currently they too are in a state of hibernation.
The other many Malay associations islandwide are in a state of utter confusion not knowing whether they are coming or going. Unconcerned about the serious deterioration of their community which is fast losing its identity, language and culture, these associations are more hell bent on having gala, glitzy parties to forget the impending demise of this once proud, honoured and respected community.
Having so many saints whose shrines abound in this beautiful island, the Malays reached their peak when they truly practised Islam. In its heyday, 75% of the police force, 90% of the prison services and 100% of the Colombo Fire Brigade were Malays.
More recently pious Malays like T. B. Jayah and Justice Akbar due to their saintly nature were respected and honoured by Sri Lankans. There are some Malays that have taken seriously to Islam, but unfortunately they follow only debilitating rituals and are unaware of the sorry state of their community. Their behaviour is sanctimonious and empty. In fact, their obscurantist posturings impede development and progress of the Malay community.
In the final analysis, the future of the Malay community is bleak. Unless a Jayah or an Akbar re-emerges, it appears that the Malays are doomed.
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Saybhan Samat Rajagiriya
Source: http://www.assheikinamullah.net
