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About Noor Deen Hajiar Abdul Ghaffoor

Al-Haj N.D.H. Abdul Ghaffoor

al haj n.d.h. abdul ghaffoor

On the 8th of April 1875 a remarkable man was born. Noor Deen Hajiar Abdul Ghaffoor was born to a well reputed Moor family in Colombo, Sri Lanka. From a very young age he was apprenticed to his uncle C L Rahmatullah (Periya Thamby), a successful gem merchant. In his early years, together with his uncle, the young boy affectionately known as NDH throughout his life, would board the large passenger ships that docked at Colombo Harbour to sell their wares to wealthy passengers. From those humble beginnings, he founded a jewellery shop at the Bristol Hotel building in 1894 at the young age of nineteen and by 1915 had built the iconic Ghaffoor Building which was described as one of the largest and finest commercial structures in Colombo. By 1929 NDH created the Gem Museum at 40 Church Street designed by the famous architectural firm Edwards Reid and Begg. All this paved the way for the foundation of a jewellery empire that made his name familiar far and wide. He brought fame and fortune to his motherland and became known for his philanthropy to all communities as well as to the country of his birth – Sri Lanka.

In a few short years as a gem merchant, NDH had established his expertise in the field and in 1901 was invited to display his finest pearls, rubies, sapphires and other jewellery art to the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Kandy Pavilion during their Royal visit. Just two years later in 1903, he presented at the St Louis Exhibition, USA. Then again, he had a stall at the All Ceylon Exhibition in 1912, and the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. The very next year in 1925 he exhibited at the Wembley Exhibition where Her Majesty Queen Mary visited his stall and took a keen personal interest in the exquisite gems and jewellery he displayed. His final exhibition was at the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition in 1926, where he was awarded the Grand Prize for the biggest collection of gems ever displayed in the USA.

He married Ummu Nafeesa and together they had 5 sons and 3 daughters. As much as he was known for his achievements in the business world, he was also known for his piety, and his devotion to his religion was deep and profound. He is reputed to have never missed a prayer, even when travelling in the dead of winter. In fact, it was said that his piety was even greater than his wealth. Having lived a full life, travelled the world, and established a successful business, NDH finally met his maker on Nov 1st 1948. He is buried in the Maradana Mosque grounds. In 1993, the country honoured him with a stamp belonging to the National Heroes series having previously named a street Abdul Ghaffoor Mawatha. Today, his name lives on through his iconic buildings, his charitable works and his business.

Donations & Contributions

Not only was NDH a successful businessman and jeweller, he was a devout Muslim and a conscientious citizen. His donations to both Muslim and secular organisations were generous, timely and beneficial. The following are the Direct Donations and Contributions made by N.D.H. to the respective causes.

In 1922, the school was gifted a complete, well equipped Science block including a laboratory and NDH donated 18 acres of land from his estate in Maharagama to the students of Zahira College to impart a practical knowledge and training in agriculture to be utilized by the school. In 1929 NDH contributed towards the building of Ghaffoor Hall which consists of 16 classrooms, an administrative section and high ceiling auditorium. Ghaffoor Hall is a landmark building of the school and encapsulates the spirit of the school in its architecture. In 1948 a few months before his death, he built a hostel.

NDH donated 4 acres of land and building to the school for their wellbeing and growth.

Recognizing the need to care for destitute children under the aegis of The Child Protection Society Inc, NDH thoughtfully donated 6 acres of land equipped with a hostel in Maharagama. The home looks after little boys from all faiths and ethnicities reflecting NDH’s way of life that looked beyond creed and race.

Devoted to the upliftment of Islam, NDH financed many mosques and religious institutions. Some of them are the famous Ketchimalai Mosque – Beruwela, the Maradana Mosque, the beautiful Mohideen Thakiya with its striking minarets and Saracenic arches and the Alawiya Thakiya at Messenger Street.

Tributes made by distinguished personalities

sir henry monck-mason moore
It is but fitting that the portrait of the late Al Haji N D H Abdul Caffoor which I have just unveiled should hang in Zahira College, as despite his many benefactions to other institutions it is pre-eminently due to Mr Abdul Caffoor’s personal interest and financial assistance that the College has attained the position in the educational life of Ceylon Muslims that it enjoys today. He, it was, who was mainly responsible for acquiring the services of Mr T B Jayah as its principal in 1921, and it was again through his encouragement and financial assistance that Zahira College was later recognized by the Education Department as a fully equipped Secondary Grade A School. But Zahira College was very far from being the only institution that benefitted from the public-spirited generosity of the late Mr Abdul Caffoor. In the course of his activities as a gem merchant he built up a valuable collection of Ceylon gems which he exhibited at various international exhibitions, and he became universally recognized as a leading expert on sapphires and at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1926 was awarded a grand prize for the greatest collection of gems ever displayed in the USA. Wherever he travelled he maintained the highest traditions of business and promoted the best interests of Ceylon; but despite his great business acumen and the wealth he acquired by its exercise, he personally eschewed the luxuries of life and lived simply according to the devout Muslim tradition, and was happy to share his wealth with the needy and the less fortunate. Apart from his benefactions, which I have already enumerated to Zahira College he made gifts of money or land to the Deaf and Dumb School at Ratmalana, and The Child Protection Society at Maharagama. He also established charities that fund scholarships to Muslims for studies in Ceylon and abroad and provide dowries to needy Muslim women and the distribution of charity during the month of Ramazan and on the relief of poverty and distress.
(Tributes to the late Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor, Ceylon Muslim League Senate, 1 November 1953)

Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore

the last Governor of Ceylon and first Governor-General (1948 -1949)

swrd bandaranaike
It gives me great pleasure to send a short message to the publication issued by the Ceylon Muslim League Senate on the occasion of the celebration in connection with the anniversary of the death of the late Al Haj NDH Abdul Caffoor. His name will always be remembered with gratitude by the Muslim community of Ceylon and with esteem by the people of other communities generally. The Zahira College of today owes its position to a great extent to the benefactions of Mr Abdul Caffoor. His other generous donations have been of great help to the Muslim community in the social and religious spheres. I appreciate the opportunity of paying this tribute to an outstanding Muslim and Ceylonese gentleman.
(Tributes to the late Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor, Ceylon Muslim League Senate, 1 November 1953)

Mr.S.W.R.D Bandaranaike

MP,Leader of the Opposition, House of Representatives

honourable molamure
As reported in the Sunday Observer of 22/2/49 Mr Molamure said that Mr Caffoor won the confidence and goodwill of everyone whom he came in contact with. He went on to say that as a businessman it was difficult to find his equal in honesty. Mr Molamure remembered an occasion 50 years ago when Mr. Ghaffoor had come to purchase a Catseye gemstone from his father. When asked to place the valuation on it, his father had said Rs.45,000/-. Mr. Ghaffoor laughed and replied that he would pay Rs. 65,000/- for the stone. From that day on the gem owners of Sabaragamuwa were satisfied to accept Mr. Ghaffoor’s price on his word. He set an example to the businessmen in this country and only hoped that the boys of Zahira who took to business would follow his footsteps
(as found in the book, Tributes to the late Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor, Ceylon Muslim League Senate, 1 November 1953)

Mr.A.F. Molamure

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives

jr jayawardene
On hearing of Mr N D H Abdul Caffoor’s passing away, as reported in the Ceylon Daily News of 11/11/48 Mr Jayewardene said, “We cherish his memory as a devout Muslim, as a philanthropist and a successful Businessman. We can never forget him.” He went on to say that Mr Caffoor was not only a citizen of Lanka but a friend of his family. Mr Jayewardene moved the following resolution: That this public meeting places on record the deep sense of sorrow at the great loss sustained by the country in general and the Muslim community in particular by the death of Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor the great philanthropist and Social worker and conveys to the members of the bereaved family its heartfelt condolences.
(as found in the book, Tributes to the late Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor, Ceylon Muslim League Senate, 1 November 1953)

Mr.J.R. Jayawardene

Former Minister of Finance

justice sir francis soertsz
“I think it can truly be said of him that he raised a monument to his memory, more lasting than brass, because he erected it in the hearts of the people in this country. Whatever we may think as individuals, Mr. Ghaffoor will live in the hearts of not only Muslims but in the hearts of all communities.”
(Tributes to the late Al Haj N D H Abdul Caffoor, Ceylon Muslim League Senate, 1 November 1953)

Justice Sir Francis Soertsz

Former Acting Chief Justice of Ceylon

sir oliver goonetilleke

“The great interest that he took in social service and education will always remain a great inspiration to us. Let the work that he has done and the life that he has led be an example to us all.”

Sir Oliver Goonetilleke

Former Governor-General of Ceylon