MADAR LEBBE MUHAMMAD MACKEEN

Madar Lebbe Muhammad Mackeen, son of Seisma (Sheikh Ismail) Lebbe Madar Lebbe, was educated at Royal College in Colombo. He was a member of the Moors Town Guard, Colombo, during the Great War 1914-1918 and was sectional ARP Warden during World War II 1939-1945.

Mackeen was the Life Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of West End Drapery Stores Ltd, which he successfully built up over the years to a position of high repute. He was also a director in other commercial and industrial ventures. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Merchants Chamber during the years 1951-1954.

Apart from his close associations with the commerce and trade of the country, Mackeen has devoted hisresources and energies to educational and Social Service matters. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees and of the Committee of Management, besides the the President in 1947, of the Ceylon Muslim Scholarship Fund. He founded a scholarship in memory of his son Shahul Hameed Mackeen. He was ex-Chairman of the Workers’ Resort of the Ceylon Social Service League; member of the CNAPT and a founder of the charitable institution known as “Shahul Hameed Mackeen Memorial Society Ltd.” And old member of the Moors’ Sports Club, and a prime mover in obtaining the grounds at Muttiah Road for the club.

Mackeen married Wajiha Umma, daughter of C.M. Uduma Lebbe Marikar, and they had three daughters and a son now deceased as follows:-

(a) Sithy Zoheriya, who married Mansoor Abdul Cader, a hard headed businessman and only son of AMM Abdul Cader. They had two sons, Muhammad Fareed, married to Mehfuzathul Kareema Ariff (d/o AJM Ariff) and Majeed Abdul Cader married to Ilham Muhammad, and a daughter Ummu Habiba married to Muhammad Jazeed Ariff (s/o AJM Ariff).

(b) Noorul Haseena, married to Dr. Mohideen Hassan, senior Physician Maradana Nursing Home. They had an only son Muhammad Fairoze married to Firdaus Mahroof.

(c) Izzathul Habeeba, marriede to AMM Sideek younger son of bookshop magnate WMA Majeed. Their daughter Sithy Zureikha is married to Omar Kamil, (s/o MHM Kamil) ex Mayor of Colombo and presently Ambassador to Iran.

(d) An only son Shahul Hameed who died in a tragic motor accident close their home at Norris Canal Road at Maradana.