Mohammed Abdul Bakeer Markar

Deshamanya Mohammed Abdul Bakeer Markar (May 12 1917 - September 1997) was the first Member of Parliament to represent Beruwala from March 1960 to April 1960, the Member of Parliament for Beruwala from April 1965 to March 1970, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from August 4 1977 to September 7 1978, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from September 21 1978 to August 30 1983, the Minister Without Portfolio from 1983 to 1988 and the Governor of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka from June 13 1988 to December 1993.

Early life

Bakeer Markar was born on 12 May 1917 at Hakeem Villa, Maradana, Beruwala as the son of the famous businessman and Ayurvedic physician, late Hamkeem Alia Marikar Mohamed Marikar and of Mrs. Rahila Umma Marikar.

Education

He was educated both at St. Sebastian's School of Hulsdrof, Colombo 12 and Zahira College of Colombo 10. At Zahira he came under the influence of the late Dr. T.B. Jayah, one of Sri Lanka's best known educationists and veteran politician. At Zahira Bakeer Markar was the editor of the College magazine and was a convincing speaker and an able debator, fluent in all three languages. In 1940 he joined the Colombo Law College and passed out as a Proctor taking his oaths in 1950.

Social service

While yet a law student, Mr. Markar became the Speaker of the All Ceylon Muslim League Senate and President of the All Ceylon Muslim Students Movement.One of Alhaj Bakeer Markar's greatest achievements was establishing the 'All Ceylon Union of Muslim League Youth Fronts. This is the coordinating body and leading Muslim youth organisation representing Muslim youths all parts of Sri Lanka. He was the founder president of this union. During his life time he formed more than 500 Muslim youth fronts spread throughout the island. He devoted most of his valuable time to establishing this movement, a unique one and he visited almost every Muslim village and familiarized himself with Muslim youths to achieve his goal.

References & external links

* Daily News [http://www.dailynews.lk/2004/09/10/fea02.html]
* Sunday Observer: [http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2003/09/07/fea26.html]
* Sunday Times [http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970914/newsm.html]
* Speakers of Sri Lanka Parliament: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_Parliament_of_Sri_Lanka]
* Sri Lanka Genealogy: [http://www.rootsweb.com/~lkawgw/gen315.html]