Assalamu alaikum, ya nesan!

M.C. Siddhi Lebbe is a beloved national hero, and father to the Saracen. The esteemed reader can enjoy a summarized biography of the man in our post titled "181st birth anniversary of our national hero, M.C. Siddi Lebbe" by Fazli Sameer; while this post will discuss his message, which is as relevant today as it was all those years ago. Much of Siddhi Lebbe’s thoughts and advice are documented in the Muslim Nesan (مسليم نشن), his weekly publication and the inspiration for the Serendib Nesan. Ibn Serendib highly recommends giving the Muslim Nesan a read, if a copy is accessible.

The importance of education is probably the most prominent subject in Siddhi Lebbe’s message. He stressed the need to educate the Saracen, and backed up his call by founding numerous schools, of which, Zahira College is the most prominent. An educated population is not only financially stable, but resilient to outside interference. Education is essential in understanding the complex world we live in, and in responding to the numerous challenges that we face. In the information age, the biggest threat to our community is misguidance. Leading people astray is such a destructive tool that it is the Shaithan’s favorite and therefore creating a community that can act intelligently is of utmost importance.

The importance of education is probably the most prominent subject ...

The lack of penmanship, and media publications within our community is a large void, something Siddhi Lebbe tried to fill with the publication of the “Muslim Nesan”. The Saraceni have firsthand experience on how mainstream media in this country, pervasively neglected our side of the story, and proceeded to add insult to injury during the aftermath of April’s tragedy. The Saraceni were unable to counter them, and the mis-informers took the opportunity to highjack our voice. Therefore, in a world where public opinion is governed by media, the Saraceni should invest in this area, so our community can stand up for itself. Media is an important tool to keep our people educated and informed of current affairs, so they are better prepared for any eventuality.

The Saraceni have firsthand experience on how mainstream media in this country, pervasively neglected our side of the story ...

Siddhi Lebbe urged the Saracen to hold on to their culture, and as a part of that learn and use Arabic more frequently. Our culture is the safety net for our people, born and unborn. It is a pillar of our identity, which is key to our survival in this country. More than a century ago, Siddhi Lebbe saw a threat to the Arabic language, and how people will try to oppose it, by virtue that the Saracen do not speak it. That threat has been realized today, as the some have called for the removal of all Arabic signage. At present this is implemented only for street names, but their call is general, and in time it will extend to even private usage of the Arabic language if we continue the way we are. If the Arabic language is demonized in this way, the Al-Quran will be the next target, and that will be catastrophic to our religion.

... Siddhi Lebbe saw a threat to the Arabic language, and how people will try to oppose it, by virtue that the Saracen do not speak it. 

Through middle-eastern employment, it is a fact, that more none Muslims know Arabic than the Saraceni, and this is indeed a sad statistic. Therefore, let us strive to learn this language, because it is a beautiful one, and has many commercial and international benefits. Our supporters are primarily in the Arabic speaking world, and even today it is they that have sent a powerful message, calling for our safety. Events in that part of the world directly, and indirectly affect the Saraceni, and therefore the ability to communicate with the middle east, and understand information from that region is very important. Learning Arabic has never been as easy as it is today, and therefor let us take advantage of it.

Events in that part of the world [middle east] directly, and indirectly affect the Saraceni, and therefore the ability to communicate with the middle east, and understand information from that region is very important. 

During Siddhi Lebbe’s time, there was no representation of our people in the Legislative Council of Ceylon, and Siddhi Lebbe agitated quite forcefully for politicians to come forward, because he felt the disadvantages very clearly. Without representation in the ruling bodies of the country, we are cattle waiting for slaughter. Even today, those that oppose us target our representatives, and we are in a precarious situation of having our community’s leaders expelled from the decision-making process. Therefore, we must secure what Siddhi Lebbe fought to achieve, and stand by our leaders, as they stand up for our rights. Politics and internal disputes can be attended to later.

Without representation in the ruling bodies of the country, we are cattle waiting for slaughter.

Finally, Ibn Serendib would like to draw his reader’s attention to Siddhi Lebbe’s most pervasive message, which is the message of unity and togetherness. We are but a few and our community is but small. We need each and everyone we have, in order to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other communities in this nation. If we scatter, our strength will be lost, and along with that so will our freedoms and our rights, and we will leave our future generations vulnerable to untold exploitations. Therefore, let us resolve to get closer to one another, understand each other and ultimately support ourselves. The phrase “Api wenuwen api” is something that has worked for other communities, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t work for us.

May Allah grant our noble hero Janath-ul-Firdous, and grant the Saraceni prosperity!