Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook of Kahawatte Death of community leader brings tears to entire village

• Members of all communities united at Kahawatte Jumma Mosque for Janaza prayers of the late Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook
• Although a Janaza vehicle was designated, the plan changed when crowds, including Sinhalese, Tamils, and schoolchildren, lined the street to honour him. In a spontaneous gesture, the procession carried his body in the ‘Sandak’ for the entire 2.5-kilometres. For one hour, the town fell silent and shops closed as the community stood united, paying final respects to a man whose silent services had quietly shaped their lives

Members of all communities joined the funeral procession of the Farook Hajjiar from his Kahawatte residence to the Jumma Mosque

On December 13, 2025, Kahawatte in the Ratnapura district, mourned across all religious lines, a community leader, Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook of Kahawatte, who passed away on December 12, 2025, after Jumma at his Colombo Ward Place residence. The Janaza was taken to Kahawatte for last rites and burial at the Kahawatte Jumma Mosque, where he had served as its Chief Trustee for three decades until 2024.

The final journey of Farook Hajjiar – as he was better known – from Kahawatte to the Jumma Mosque became a profound public tribute. Although a Janaza vehicle was designated, the plan changed when crowds, including Sinhalese, Tamils and schoolchildren, lined the main street to honour him. In a spontaneous and traditional gesture, the procession carried his body in the ‘Sandak’ for the entire 2.5-kilometre route. For one hour, the town fell silent; shops closed as the community stood united, paying final respects to a man whose silent services had quietly shaped their lives.

Breaking away from tradition, the Kahawatte Jumma Mosque, following the Janaza prayers in the Mosque, permitted a Buddhist, Dayathissa Liyanagunawardhana, at his request, to address from the sanctum section of the Mosque, packed with worshippers. He said that a large number of men, women, and children of all communities had gathered all along the road, while Sinhala and Tamil males were also inside the Mosque for the first time to pay tribute to a man who built dignity and trust of the Muslims among all communities without fanfare.

Liyanagunawardhana noted that Farook Hajjiar endeavoured to unite the Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims in Kahawatte and neighbouring areas as members of one family. He recalled the 1983 riots in the country and how, through his goodwill with the youth, he had prevented any major violence in Kahawatte, Liyanagunawardhana reminisced.

While shunning the spotlight, the late Farook Hajiar’s legacy is cemented in the foundation of a local institution. On July 27, 2016, he donated the land upon which the Kahawatte Primary School was built, providing a place of learning for generations of children, predominantly from the area’s Buddhist community. Thereafter, he had continuously supported the educational requirements of the

Al Haj A. J. M. Ismail Farook of Kahawatte is credited for building dignity and trust of the Muslims among all communities

School, according to a spokesperson of this academic institution. 

Farook Hajiar was also honoured for his voluntary services by several institutions and Mosques, including the Muhiyaddeen Jumma Masjid of Rakwana, the Ukwatte Rahmania Jumma Mosque, and other institutions catering to the educational needs of the disadvantaged communities. 

Mourners gathered in Kahawatte at the home of his eldest son, Al Haj Multhazim Ismail, for the Janaza. A large number of community members formed to pay their final respects to Farook Hajiar. The Janaza sermon was also delivered in Sinhala by Chief Imam Sheikh Rashad Zammani. Janaza prayers were conducted by Farook Hajiar’s second son Al Haj Murshid Ismail.