Minister of Haj Bandar Hajjar, left, meets with Sri Lankan Senior Minister for Urban Development Abdul Hameed Mohamed Fowzie at his office in Jeddah on Wednesday. (SPA)

RIYADH: Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar said Wednesday that around 80 countries have requested an increased quota of Haj pilgrims, but the ministry has to restrict the number of Hajis according to the availability of accommodation in Mina.

The tragic death of a 16-year-old Pakistani girl who was also a computer genius has cast a spotlight on an industry with huge potential for the country's youth. 

Arfa Karim Randhawa, who became the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at the age of nine, died at the weekend after a heart attack following an epileptic fit.

After Arfa passed the Microsoft exam in 2004, Bill Gates was so impressed by her that he invited her to the company's US headquarters.

When he found out she was ill, he also offered medical help and was in touch with her family.

Pakistan has been in the throes of a political crisis but the press and the nation appeared to take a breath and paused for a moment to mourn a young life which gave the country a name in an industry dominated by Silicon Valley and Indian innovation.

'Vision'

Arfa's short life mirrors Pakistan's burgeoning engagement with information technology, an industry which holds out hope for youth embittered by unemployment and a lack of opportunities.

Her father, Col Amjad Karim, says she was particularly concerned to use her skills to help the young, those under-served by IT and those from villages.

"It is generally understood that computers are for very hi-fi people or rich schools but nowadays one can be purchased for a few thousand rupees by the poorest of poorest," he told the BBC.

"Arfa's centre of gravity was wanting to improve human resource development by focusing on education."

Col Karim retired from the army to be his daughter's manager. He says her mother and two younger brothers are in shock after her death.

Arfa had been in intensive care in a Lahore hospital since late December.

Senior politicians joined relatives at her funeral in the city on Sunday – she has already had a technology park named after her in Lahore.

Her loss is also being felt by Pakistan's IT world.

Shoaib Malik, country manager for games company Mindstorm, said: "It's really sad. What was amazing about her was that she had a clear vision, she literally wanted to set up the industry.

"One thinks only kids who have studied from abroad would have a vision but it was remarkable. I think whatever God does, does for the better but had she been alive she could have played an important role in the IT industry."

The company, set up by self-taught techies, developed a game which ended being selected as the ICC World Cup 2011 official game, Cricket Power.Mindstorm is one of a number of small Pakistani start-ups tapping into the global IT boom – a side to the country often overlooked amid bombings, natural disasters and never-ending political crisis.

Internet effect

According to Pakistan Software Houses Association president Jehan Ara, Arfa was "intelligent beyond her years".

"In addition to achieving a professional certification at the tender age of nine, it is also notable that she set up and ran a computer training institute for a poor community.

"Her passion for technology, coupled with her vision to use her talent to do something significant for Pakistan and its people, was truly amazing for someone so young."

Ms Ara feels the IT industry offers a way out of unemployment for young Pakistanis, many of whom she says are starting their own companies. One Karachi firm is even developing software for the stock exchange in the UK.

But compared to India, Ms Ara thinks firms in Pakistan which she says has an "image problem" may have missed the bus.

Around 1996 – the year when Arfa was born – the IT industry really took off in Pakistan, according to Shakir Hussain, CEO of software company Creative Chaos.

As the millennium approached, the fear of a mass technical apocalypse also motivated people to pay more attention to IT ventures.

"Suddenly there were hiring and migration opportunities for software engineers," he recalls.

But techies in Pakistan had been putting their creative minds to work even earlier than that, with far-reaching and destructive results.

In 1986, two brothers from Lahore created the world's first computer virus, "Brain".

They insist the virus was friendly and not intended to damage information, but it still ricocheted through the tech world and was developed by others, spawning viruses used to exploit operating systems.

That, however, is not what Pakistan's IT industry wants to be known for.

Shakir Hussain thinks it offers bright young people a good chance to earn a few thousand dollars working from home through various websites.

"The internet has been a great leveller," he says.

'Sister'

Arfa's father also champions the potential of IT to improve things for young Pakistanis, but says his daughter's influence went further than that.

"Arfa used to say, 'Don't take our generation lightly'," Col Karim says.

She was role model to "so many other young people – young girls", he says, who referred to her as "Arfa aapi (sister)".

Malalai Yusufzai, a student who spoke out in Swat while it was under Taliban rule, was one of those girls.

"We really have lost a diamond," Ms Yusufzai told the BBC. "When I heard about her, I was really moved. I was amazed that we had someone like her in Pakistan – a genius! I was proud of her and that she's a Pakistani."

Arfa's list of achievements shames people several times her age. As well as learning to fly when she was just 10, Arfa had been working with Nasa after winning a competition last year.

"She was good at singing, poetry, so many things," her father says.

As I leave, I ask for his email address and it dawns on him that he doesn't have it.

"Actually, Arfa used to handle my emails and her own… so I don't have my password."

Arfa is really going to be missed.

"Mr. Faisz Musthapha, P.C, is the veteran lawyer and the icon of 'Musthapha Generation of Lawyers' is also heading the Sailan Muslim Foundation. We are proud and pleased to place on record our appreciation of the contribution made by Mr. Faisz Musthapha towards the Community in general and Sailan Muslim Foundation in particular.Congratulations to 'Musthapha Family' and may Allah bless and continue to shower HIS blessings on them"

Having fledged with new feathers as an Attorney-at-Law, Fathima Zuleyha Markar forays into the realm of the legal profession. She is the daughter of Zulfer and Faisza Markar.

She hails from a family of legal luminaries in the chronological order as the fourth generation without any gap as a legal professional in the heterogeneity of family educational background, especially in the legal domain.

It is a common saying that intellectual growth commences at birth, so is Zuleyha’s achievement of a child.Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself, says a Chinese proverb. Personality opens doors, but only character can keep them open. Zuleyha’s character and phenomena have been moulded and shaped in the heterogeneity of her family background.

Her great grandfather was S.M. Musthapha, who practiced in the District Court of Kandy. He was known as the Lion of the Bar.

Her maternal grandfather Faisz Musthapha has been at the Bar for more than 46 years. He is a President’s Counsel and one of the most eminent lawyers and practices in the Appellate Courts. Her paternal grandfather A. Markar was also a lawyer.
Her mother Faisza Markar, the daughter of Faisz Musthapha and Ameena Musthapha, got married and after having two children, did her LL.B degree. She is also a Barrister of Lincoln’s Inn.

Fathima Zuleyha Markar’s uncle Faizer Musthapha is also an Attorney-at-Law.

She is a third generation old girl of C.M.S. Ladies’ College of Colombo. She has an LL.B (Hons.) Degree from the University of London. Her husband, Dr. Fahir Khiard, is a physician.

Her younger sister Zainab Markar is also a final year law student reading for a LL.B Degree from the University of London.
Religion plays a very strong role in this family that is modern in outlook, but continues to strictly observe the expected religious practices.

Sons and daughters are the treasures of each family clan. Fathima Zuleyha Markar is so and such a child to the heterogeneity of her family.

Hon. Deputy Chairman, there seems to be an atmosphere of complete peace and harmony prevailing in this House today and I think that is because we are discussing the Vote on the Ministry of National Heritage.

The person who is heading that Ministry is an erudite scholar, a man of letters and a scholar of fame with a great name. He is blessed with a great moral fortitude. Even in conversation he sounds philosophical. That is (Dr.) Jagath Balasuriya.

“After the Ministers versus MPs 20-20 cricket match played yesterday for the first time in history, which is unique in the whole world, where Parliamentarians played a match with the Ministers of the Cabinet, there seems to be complete harmony prevailing in this House.

Even the Secretary-General of Parliament was a witness to this spectacle. If we can go on and on like this, Parliament will be a much more peaceful place to represent.

The match was played for the Speaker’s Trophy for the first time in history. It is unique.

Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa immediately on his arrival from Buro-Budur in Indonesia, straightaway came into the pavilion.

Also, the Leader of the Opposition joined the President as a spectator. What a convivial atmosphere prevailed in the grounds! We always cross swords with each other in this House but MPs from both sides of the House joined to play a great match – a great game in its true spirit.

“Today, Hon. Deputy Chairman, we heard two dissertations from MP J.R.P. Sooriyapperuma and also from the Hon Janaka Bandara, our friend over there. Sir, I must thank them because a lot of history, civilization, was unearthed through their illuminating lectures I should say, not Parliamentary speeches.

Hon. Deputy Chairman, among other things that I want to place before the Ministers, there are various places of historical and archaeological importance of the Muslims in this country. Straightaway comes to our mind Beruwala, where the Arab first came as settlers to this country and they made a very strong community, a loyal community in this country.

Some time ago, there was a declaration almost spelling out to make these historical and archaeological important sites, because the first mosque built in Sri Lanka Masjid-ul-Abrar is situated there.

I was involved with M.A. Bakeer Markar, the past illustrious Speaker of this House when he renovated the Masjid-ul-Abrar with the backing of Abdul Hameed Hajjiar – I remember them – T.M.N. ‘Duke’ Hameed, Ismeth Abdullah who is in London today, Ajward Master A.W.M. Raziek Marikar, who was the Chairman of the Urban Council, Beruwala. Sir, there was a stamp issued. You must take action to declare these historical and archaeological important sites as national heritage.

Malays and Memons

“Also Sir, There is the Malay Community and Memon Community in this country.

These two communities are an integral party, very loyal and patriotic citizens. They came to Sri Lanka from Java and Malaysia. They established the Wekanda Mosque 225 years ago.

The other day, the ambassador for Indonesia, Djafar Hussein went and declared open a website in that historic Mosque. And there is the Java Lane Mosque, Java Street in Slave Island, Java Chavakachcheri is now Chavakachcheri where the people from Java came during the Dutch period. Some of them were brought as prisoners here and others who came were from Royal and Noble families later.

They were great scholars. Malay people were men of Valour and Vigour, very clever, very determined, very bold and very strong in their outlook. So, Sir, their historic places must be renovated.

There is also the Dharma Kabeer Jummah Mosque in Hambantota. That is also a very historical important Mosque and there are Malays and others around the place.

Their forefathers were buried in the Grand Mosque at New Mosque Street which was looked after by the ancestors, Sir Razik Fareed. He was mentioning about the Museum which was built by Wapche Marikar, the grandfather of Sir Razik Fareed.

I think, many arteifacts that were very recently discovered by the Muslim archaeologists must be exhibited in the Colombo Museum for posterity.

“There is the Seven Virgins Mountains in Maskeliya. An Indonesian Haj plane crashed over there. We do not call it a historic place, but the place to remember that some hundreds of Hajjis were buried there.

Recently, I think, once again the Ambassador for Indonesia Djafar Hussein visited this site.

“There is a mosque built in that place by M.H.M. Fazal Hadjiar together with a lot of others.

“Then, there was a plane crash at Kimbulapitiya in Katunayake. About 300 Hajjis were flown back to Jakarta.

There is a memorial built by that great man, Sir Abdul W.M. Ameer, who was the Consul General, a very senior man, of the Dominican Republic. A Haj memorial building is now come up at the foot of the Seven Virgins in Maskeliya in memory of those shuhadas.

The deceased are called in Islamic term “shuhadas”. There is also a Haj memorial building closer to the airport. I think that also must come into your reckoning, Hon. Minister.

“Then, we know about the civilizations that arose in the banks of Euphrates and Tigris, along the Nile and in the Indus Valley, the Mohenjo-daro and Harappa civilizations.

Member of Parliament Sooriyapperuma, Knows all these things; he waxed eloquent when he was lecturing at the Muslim League Youth Front some time ago.

“Then, Sir, there is a Maimon mosque in the Fourth Cross Street in Pettah, which was built in 1929. The Maimon community came from Gujarat. They are also an integral part of Sri Lanka.

They call this their own land. They earn; they spend; they are a philanthropist-minded community. One of our greatest lecturers and Imams, Khaleelur Rahman Hazrat – we call him “Manimolli Moulana” – was one of the most famous Khateebs from that place. There is also the Java Lane.

Baghdad and Kufa

“Sir, when talking about world civilizations and archaeological sites, we are reminded of cities like Baghdad and Kufa, which were completely decimated, eradicated and destroyed by Zionist western powers and they are still carrying it on.

The Bamiyan Buddha statues were destroyed by the Taliban. It was Moulavi Niyaz Mohamed Marhoom who took the Muslims against that round the city. Recently, Sir, when we were in Male, the President was talking to the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. He said, “That was a great historical civilization. It should never have been destroyed by those vandalists” and it is still being carried on, Sir.

“What do they do? They give the Nobel Prize and other awards to people who are responsible for destruction. They are the number one vandals in this world, as we could call them.

Sir, I quote from chapter 3 on page 41 of the brilliant book called “To the Ends of the Earth: The Hunt for the Jackal” written by acclaimed British author, David Yallop:

“On April 10, 1948, the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, near Jerusalem, was destroyed. Its inhabitants, 260 men, women and children, were slaughtered; some were shot, some hacked to death.

The attack was a combined operation by two Jewish groups, the Irgun, whose Commander in Chief was Menachem Begin, and the Stern Gang, one of whose leaders was Yitzhak Shamir.

In 1980 Begin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1983, when Begin resigned from office, he was succeeded as Prime Minister of Israel by Yitzhak Shamir. History is written by winners.”

President Obama was subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. For what, may I ask in this House. The Norwegian Nobel Committee made this award to President Obama stating, I quote:

……for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.”

Zionist terrorism

“The other day, our respected Governor of the Western Province, “Jamal-al-Lail” Seyed Alavi Mowlana, led a massive demonstration from the Dewatagaha Mosque to the Lipton Circus against the Nato attack on Palestine. Incidentally, that Mosque should also be included in the list of National Heritage Sites because there is a long history behind this ancient shrine of Shaikh Osman Waliullah.

“Then, I would like to mention as to how NATO bombed the people in Pakistan and 26 innocent soldiers were killed.

What do they mean? Is it restoring of peace or restructuring destruction of human beings and the properties in other countries? In one, we see a confirmed Zionist terrorist a murderer receiving the award and on the other, even before the incumbent hardly took office, the award goes to this mere “visionary”! In May, 2009 the world witness as to how our President, Mahinda Rajapaksa – now, see the difference; mark the difference – demonstrably eradicated the menace of terrorism in all its forms.

Menachem Begin, could you hear this? Where are you? Terrorism plagued this resplendent Island of ours for three decades. Bloodshed, murder and mayhem were the order of the day and people were killed on a daily basis, as a day-to-day business. Eradication of terrorism was a formidable feat which no Head of State in the world had achieved, except for President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.

All that horror was wiped out for good, never to emerge again in this beautiful Island.

Therefore, Sir, looking at the attainment of peace in its proper perspective, Mahinda Rajapaksa rightfully deserves – I say in this House, from Parliament of Sri Lanka to the world – to be awarded the Nobel Prize!

“One of our greatest philanthropists, Alhaj. N D H Abdul Caffoor, the respected father of that illustrious Member of Parliament for Colombo-Central, Alhaj M Falil A Caffoor, donated that building to United National Party. It was earlier called – (Dr.) Balasuriya, you know it – “Iceland Building”. It has been considered a building of history.

His Excellency the President mentioned in his Budget Speech that he has allocated money for that. We thank him so much for it, Sir.

“Sir, today or any day, if you count on the Hon. Members of Parliament who bear great qualities and great moral fortitude, the Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Balasuriya is one of them, and he is also a gentleman to the true sense of the word. Thank you very much.” 

“Sri Lanka is the only non-Muslim, country which allows broadcasting of Azam-Call for Prayers – daily in the national radio, said Al Haj. A.H.M. Azwer, Member of Parliament.

He was addressing the Opening Sessions of the world Muslim Congress Conference at Hotel Ramada on last Sunday.

Dr. Al Haj. M.H. Mohamed Senior Vice President, Motamar Al-Alam-Al-Islami and Chairman – Sri Lanka Islamic Centre presided.

Azwer said a united and concerted effort must be made by the World Muslim and Arab countries to thwart the conspiracies hatched by the so-called super powers to decimate Muslim countries and to eliminate world Muslim leadership.

This can be dangerous to other countries in the region.

“The subtle activities of the zionists is threatening not only the Muslim countries but also the entire world,” he said. The Sri Lanka government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has earned applauds from the world community for the eradication of terrorism which threatened the life of every citizen in Sri Lanka for over three decades.

Azwer also brought to the notice of the World Muslim leaders attending the Conference of the brutal massacre of Muslims in Kattankudi while praying in the Mosque, and other massacres in Eravur and in many parts of the Island.

Sri Lanka has consistently supported the Palestinian cause in all International Fora and stood steadfast in all other Muslim issues.

Azwer also paid a tribute to Al Hajj M.B.M. Mahir for his pioneering efforts in the establishment of the Motamar Chapter in Sri Lanka under the guidance of former Speaker Dr. Al Haj. M.H.Mohamed.

The inaugural session was addressed by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris Senator Raja Mohamed Zafar-Ul-Haq, Secretary General – Motamar Al-Alam-Al-Islami, Dr. Abdullah Bin Omar Nasseef, Chairman Motamar Al-Alam-Al-Islami. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by former Mayor of Colombo Al Haj. Hussain Mohamed.

RIYADH: A Sri Lankan housemaid who has spent the last six years on death row in Saudi Arabia had an emotional meeting with her parents in Riyadh on Tuesday.