Are We Sri Lankan Malays Doomed?

by Saybhan Samat

(July 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) 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 life styles of the majority Sinhalese and Tamils. Some Malays have observed the culture of their co-religionists the Moors, which essentially is different from those of the Malays who originated from Indonesia and Malaysia. The elite of them some of whom were of royalty were exiled by the Dutch rulers while others were brought in as soldiers both by the Dutch and British to help administer the island.

The Malays who were originally Hindus then Buddhists later became Muslims and they in Sri- Lanka now are co-religionists with the Sri-Lankan Moors who are of South Indians and Arab descent. The UNF and the PA government 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 presently ethnicity is most relevant in Sri-Lankan society more than at any time of our history it is indeed a travesty of justice to ignore the Malay 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 the majority political parties viz. the UNP and the SLFP. They have also had the best of relations with their co-religionists the Moors. The very nature of the Malay psyche is peace which is propounded by their religion- Islam.

Many Malays finding their opportunities declining have made several attempts to migrate to the land of their fore fathers in Malaysia and Indonesia; this has been of no avail. It is very strange that Malaysia and Indonesia have not taken steps to absorb the Malay population in Sri-Lanka while Australia opened its doors to the Burgers from 1960 onwards. Malaysian and Indonesian politicians give bland statements to justify their rule not to permit Sri-Lankan Malay migration. It is indeed a very sad affair.

Meanwhile the Malays are fast losing their identity. Many Malays living in Sinhalese areas, now speak Sinhala, and they do not no their own language. Others living in Tamil areas speak Tamil, and not Malay they too do not know how to speak Malay. Young Malay boys and girls are increasingly marrying Sinhalese persons. Malays are gradually integrating with the mostly Sinhalese majority. The Malays attitude to their religion in Sinhalese area is shocking. The sermons in the mosques are in Tamil and as the Malays in the Sinhalese areas do not understand Tamil, they are ignorant of Islam only practicing debilitating rituals. Some of them have given up on Islam altogether and running their lives in total distraction. While a few English educated Muslim’s manage to get jobs many Sinhalese and Tamil educated Malays are unemployed. Of the unemployed, many are under-employed doing menial jobs.

As whole Malays cannot afford higher education. A handful only have obtained degrees. A Malay doctor or engineer is very rare. In the latest destruction of houses by the UDA in Slave-Island 610 houses of Malay are marked for destruction.

A handful of concerned Malays have made attempts to arrest this downward trend that Malays are facing. The Malays Rupee Fund an old organization by social service activities 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, presently they too are in a state of pathological paralysis.

The other myriad Malay associations island-wide are in a state 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-parties at their gatherings to forget the impending demise of this once proud, honored and respected community.

Having so many saints whose shrines abound in this beautiful island, the Malays reached their peak when they truly practiced their religion Islam. At that time 75% police force, 90% of the prison services and 100% of the Colombo Fire Brigade were all Malays. More recently pious Malays like T.B Jayah and Justice Akbar due to their saintly nature were respected and honored by all 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. Mostly their behaviour is sanctimonious and empty. In fact their obscurantist posturings impede any developments and progress in the Malay community.

In the final analysis the future of the Malay community is gloomy. Unless a Jayah or an Akbar re-surfaces it appears that the Malays are doomed.
- Sri Lanka Guardian