The Middle East muddle

In these uncertain times, it is worthwhile to read what Mohamad Vayid, writing under the pen name Perry Scope, wrote about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Mauritian newspaper L'Express in 1970.

L'Express, Mauritius, 1 March 1970.

Keynote Address by Past President Mr. Cassam Uteem, GCSK, on the occasion of the launch of the Mohamad Vayid Memorial Website

 

LAUNCH OF WEBSITE OF MOHAMAD VAYID’S WRITINGS 

 
Monsieur Yvan Martial, Dr. Mrs Sajeda Malleck-Vayid, Distinguished guests, dear friends and members of the Vayid family,

I feel deeply honored, humbled and privileged to be associated with the launch of a website dedicated to late Mohamad Vayid, his writings, press articles and speeches, at different periods of his life, in numerous and diverse circumstances and on a wide range and variety of subjects. Honored because found worthy of presiding over the inaugural ceremony of a memorial, which this website is indeed meant to be, to the life of Mohamad Vayid, one of the foremost and finest intellectuals, of this generation and of all times, that our country has produced. Humbled in front of the colossal, if not impossible, task of presenting and doing justice to the works of an erudite, a man who was the embodiment of Eastern and Western cultures, giving a lie to the notorious ‘never the twain shall meet’, an intellectually honest scholar, a respected teacher, a convincing preacher, a forceful orator and so much more. Privileged to enjoy the esteem of the Vayid family, in particular that of the respected Dr. Sajeda Malleck, spouse of Mohamad Vayid, and to be, today and for ever after, associated with this dedicated and exclusive website that will perpetuate the memory of Mohamad Vayid and record the collection of his inspiring articles. 

 

Mohamad Vayid, one of the foremost and finest intellectuals, of this generation and of all times, that our country has produced.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I do not intend here nor would I claim to be able, within my short intervention, to comment on or to critically analyze the opinions, reflections and views expressed by Mohamad Vayid in his innumerable interviews, pronouncements or written texts which have all, or almost all, been captured and posted on the website that is about to be launched. What I shall, however, make bold to do is to affirm without any risk of being contradicted that the website will constitute a treasure trove of thoughtful pieces, some clinical and others impassioned ones, incisive interviews, philosophical discourses, wise counsels, meticulous and rigorous dissection of societal problems and social issues, political and economic treaties, a treasure trove that would enrich and inspire both students and non-students, young and old, of this and the coming generations, who care to access the website.

The occasion, I believe, is appropriate for us to reflect on some of the outstanding qualities that made of Mohamad Vayid such an exceptional human being - cultured, refined and sophisticated. He was reckoned to be of a rare breed of intellectual personae, with remarkable scholarship and amazing versatility. His untimely demise on the 5th of May 2013 left us all with a profound sense of void and the country lamenting over its incommensurable loss.

He was reckoned to be of a rare breed of intellectual personae, with remarkable scholarship and amazing versatility.

Mohamad Vayid, besides having been a respected opinion leader, a political analyst and a management consultant, was a man of bountiful talents with complete mastery of both spoken and written English and French languages. He would occasionally wear his preacher’s garb - and this particular aspect of his wide range of knowledge and interests is probably less well known - and standing at the mosque’s pulpit, deliver sermons that would often pale to insignificance many a professional cleric.

At a time when the perennial Islamic message of peace and justice, mutual respect and tolerance is being willfully distorted by some dishonorable nincompoops, Mohamad Vayid’s would have been one among the most authoritative voices that would have contributed to set the record straight and while fearlessly denouncing the misappropriation of religion for political mileage, would make them swallow their own spilt over slaver. Dauntless as he was and with a fearsome self-confidence, I did witness once, how when ruffled by a stupid and ill-advised remark he rendered entirely speechless his unfortunate interlocutor, who seeing himself as a political leader in the making thought he could outdo or outshine Mohamad Vayid in front of the important audience out there. It was a mistake he should never have committed. Many of you would, like me, still remember how powerful a polemicist he could be and those who dared confront or measure up to him on issues that he felt strongly about would curse themselves for trying to contradict him. With his mightier than the sword pen, he would trounce them but without ever hitting below the belt. He was too dignified to even think of having recourse to such or any cheap stratagem.

Mohamad Vayid, especially in his more youthful days, had been a much sought-after speaker at conferences and roundtables especially organized by youth clubs on a variety of topics ranging from economics and history to politics and religion. The vastness of his knowledge, the pertinence of his arguments coupled with a sharp analytical mind and a rare eloquence used to keep his audience spellbound. Simply sitting down and listening to him was a real treat. 

 

The vastness of his knowledge, the pertinence of his arguments coupled with a sharp analytical mind and a rare eloquence used to keep his audience spellbound.

He would always insist on the need for moral education, on the importance of work ethics and human values that should be inculcated while the individual was still young. He was allergic to all forms of corruption and denounced the practice of favoritism and nepotism to the detriment of meritocracy. Outspoken as he had always been, he never hesitated to publicly utter bitter criticisms against the incompetence of some of the political nominees in both public and parastatal bodies and to strongly denounce measures that ran counter to the national interest. Always elegantly dressed but elegant also in his manners and his speech, he was the role model of many of us, the pre and post-independence youth.

Not himself a politician, Mohamad nonetheless formed part of the politicians’ wide circle of influence. He was known to be close to the leader of the defunct CAM, (SARM - Sir Abdool Razack Mahomed) who made no secret of the fact that he valued his advice and to the former Labour Party leader (SSR - Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam) who entrusted him with quite a few important assignments. For nearly half of a century, Mohamad Vayid has either openly or discreetly, directly or indirectly, made use of his wide and influential network of friends and acquaintances in both the public and private sectors to further what he believed was a just and worthwhile cause. 

 

He was known to be close to the leader of the defunct CAM, (SARM - Sir Abdool Razack Mahomed) who made no secret of the fact that he valued his advice and to the former Labour Party leader (SSR - Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam) who entrusted him with quite a few important assignments.

His knowledge and competence, his integrity and honesty more than his proximity with the leaders of the different ruling parties saw him, at different periods of time, serving with rare distinction, as Chairman of the Boards of several public companies, institutions and parastatal bodies.

I have always found Mohamad Vayid’s political philosophy or ideology to be more liberal than conservative and at the helm of the Mauritius Employers’ Federation he distinguished himself markedly from the more conservative elements of the Private Sector. He is known to have established good industrial relations at the BAT (British American Tobacco) when he was its CEO and constantly worked on the improvement of the workers’ conditions of service. He was of course no revolutionary and showed little sympathy for the historic leader of the MMM (Paul Bérenger), more as a politician than a trade unionist, I believe. However, unlike many others, he could transcend political differences and divergences to engage into civilized if not friendly relations with quite a number of those who did not share his political views including the MMM leaders. He gracefully obliged when approached by them to chair a Board or for any other specific assignment.

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to conclude on a personal note. I have had occasions to relate this before but I have felt a strong urge to repeat it here.

I have actually quite often had the benefit of drawing on the rich, wide and varied experience of Mohamad Vayid in coming to grips with some of the challenges that came my way, during my political career. A relation of trust and confidence grew over the years into mutual respect and friendship. On the sudden and unexpected death of our son Oomar in March 2007, Mohamad and Sajeda were among those who would regularly visit us and spend hours providing comfort and solace to my wife and to me. Theirs was affectionate, hearty and soothing company. I will never forget, one day, in the middle of a conversation on the trials and tribulations faced by the early companions of the Prophet of Islam in the practice of their religion, he suddenly asked me whether I had read Victor Hugo’s poem A VILLEQUIER. I confessed that I had not. 

 

On the sudden and unexpected death of our son Oomar in March 2007, Mohamad and Sajeda were among those who would regularly visit us and spend hours providing comfort and solace to my wife and to me. Theirs was affectionate, hearty and soothing company.

This is a poem that deals with the pain and tragedy on the death of Victor Hugo’s 16-year old daughter. Therein he expresses his grief and shock. It is a cry of revolt that is followed by a state of appeasement after which the poet asks for God’s forgiveness and offers Him his prayers. It is sublime poetry. It is therapeutic. The next day Mohamad bought me a book of French poetry with Victor Hugo’s poems in prominent place. This instance, this episode of my personal and family life while confirming what I already knew of the man of multifaceted cultures which Mohamad Vayid was, revealed also to me how humane and deeply compassionate he could be and indeed he was. We were deeply touched by the strong feelings of empathy and understanding which he, along with his spouse, Sajeda, conveyed in our moments of grief when they were most needed. Thank you Sajeda and thank you Mohamad high up there where you are! In the heavens, insh Allah!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been quoting profusely from the obituary I wrote on learning of Mohamad’s passing, and which ends as will end this my short address, but not before I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Mrs Sajeda Malleck-Vayid on the bright idea of creating a special website dedicated to her spouse. “May this noble soul rest in peace and may his pious wife find solace in the thought that her husband has left the rich legacy of an exemplary life in the service of the country and its people. Such a towering personality would be the pride of any nation.”

27th July 2017