Hon. (Dr.) M. L. A. M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we remember former MP Dr. Al Haj I. M. Ilyas, who served alongside me. In our country’s political history—and in Muslim political history—he was a major activist. From his youth he dedicated himself to securing the political rights of Muslims and to speaking up when they or any minority were wronged, beyond lines of ethnicity, religion, or language.

¶ 03 Elected from Jaffna District in 1994, he served till 2000, working during a critical period with our great late leader M. H. M. Ashraff. When the LTTE expelled Muslims from the Northern Province and they arrived with no food, clothing, or shelter, he welcomed them with love and led the effort—uniting religious leaders, community leaders, intellectuals, and political leaders in Puttalam to provide all basic needs.

¶ 04 When we were in government, he laboured day and night as the SLMC representative to secure land, housing, and basic facilities for their resettlement, contributing significantly to our party’s struggle for their development.

¶ 05 Puttalam witnessed one of the most tragic communal incidents in 1976 when police fired on worshippers at the Grand Jumu’ah Mosque, killing seven and injuring many. Dr. Ilyas demanded justice then. In a 1977 article, he explained why February 2 would be observed as a day of mourning, invoking Allama Iqbal and the Karbala metaphor, condemning those who belittled the commemoration, and calling for justice for the victims. He also wrote a series titled “Sathiya Sothanai – a drop from my political struggle,” documenting these events. Notably, February 2—the date of that tragedy—was also his birthday, as it is mine; we shared a close bond. His family is present in the gallery; we pray for them.

¶ 06 In pursuit of justice for those victims, he contested the 1977 General Election in Puttalam under the TULF banner to raise the cause nationally, working with Tamil leaders like S. J. V. Chelvanayakam, Sivasithamparam, and Amirthalingam to carry the message and seek justice.

¶ 07 He always raised his voice for Palestinians—when Israeli forces killed innocent youth, mothers, and children—often standing alone in Puttalam town and other cities for the liberation of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and against the killing of innocents. Over the last year, as thousands were slaughtered in Gaza while powerful nations used it as a testing ground for weapons, he would have continued to speak out in Parliament for Palestine and Al-Aqsa—as his speeches show. We have lost such leadership today.

¶ 08 He worked tirelessly for unity among minorities—Tamils, Muslims, and Up-country Tamils—so they could secure their rights. He was loving and humble with people; we often visited his home, and his wife and children were likewise devoted to community service.

¶ 09 He ran his own clinic, serving the poor day and night. During the war in the North and East, he came to console us; when massacres occurred at Kattankudy and Eravur mosques, he rushed to offer comfort—showing his good character. We pray that Allah widens his grave and grants him mercy.

¶ 10 In Puttalam, he named a road “Bayt al-Maqdis Road” so that people would remember Palestine and its people. He lived not for himself or his family, but for his community’s liberation and rights—never prioritizing wealth or personal assets, but dedicating his life to the struggle. We pray Allah grants him the highest paradise, Jannatul Firdaus.

¶ 11 His will even requested the Palestinian flag be draped over his Janaza. On behalf of our leader Hon. Rauff Hakeem and the SLMC, I attended his funeral; at his family’s request, I personally draped the Palestinian flag over his coffin. May Allah grant his family a good future and fulfil the aspirations and struggles he held dear. Thank you.