Dr. Mohamed Ali Mohamed Shukri hails from a traditional Muslim family from Matara, in the  south of Sri Lanka. He was born in June 1940 and had his early education at St. Thomas’ College, Matara. It was a leading English school during that period. He entered the University of Peradeniya in 1960 and obtained his first class honors degree in Arabic and Islamic studies in 1965 and subsequently appointed as a lecturer in Arabic and Islamic studies in the same year at the University of Peradeniya.

In 1973, on being awarded the commonwealth scholarship for his postgraduate studies in United Kindom, he joined  the University of Edinburgh in UK and obtained his PHD degree in 1976. On his return to Sri Lanka, in 1976, he was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Kelaniya in the department of Arabic and Islamic Culture and also held the position of Senior Lecturer and Head of the department in University of Kelaniya. In 1980, he held the position of the Head of the department of Arabic and Islamic studies at Dumbara campus of University of Peradeniya. In 1981, at the invitation of the great Muslim philanthropist Naleem Hajiar, he assumed the position of Director of Jamiah Naleemiah and continues to hold this position to this day in that esteemed institution.

Academic Contributions and positions held

In the field of education in Sri Lanka, Dr. Shukri was offered an opportunity to make his contribution when the minister of education appointed him between 1978-1979 to serve as a member of the education reform committee appointed to study and recommend reforms in the field of education. He functioned as an academic consultant to the department of Arabic and Islamic studies of South Eastern University since its inception and also functioned as the member of the University Council. He also served as the member of the committee appointed by the National Institute of Education (NIE) to draft the history syllabus in the school curriculum. In 2001, he was elected as the member of the executive council federation of the Universities of the Islamic World in Morocco. Dr. Shukri held many important positions in the academic and administrative field. Sri Lanka national library service board, Sri Lanka Sahithya Mandalaya, National Commission of UNESCO, Official Language Commission are some of the institutions and organizations in which he held memberships and made significant contributions. He also served as a member of the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology. He also functions as a member of  the  Advisory Board of Muslim Programs in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Works and Compilations

Dr. Shukri who is proficient in Arabic, English, Tamil and Sinhala has number of compilations and publications to his credit. “Islam and Education (1970)”, “Mankind in Peril (1970)”, “Muslims of Sri Lanka (Edited) (1986) are some of his important compilations in English. He also wrote many books in Tamil. “Al-Quran- its Doctrine and way of life (1981)”, “Islamic Dawah and Modern World Challenges (1982)”, “Sufis in Defence of Faith (1984)”, “Hadis and Sunnah (1993)”, “Naleem Hadjiar-His life and contributions (1993)”, “The Life and Thought of Imam-al-Ghazzali (1997)”, “Human Rights in Islam (1996)”, “Muslim writers and their Responsibilities (1996)”, “Islamic Life and Thought (1996)”, “Centrers of Islamic Culture and Civilization During the Medieval Period (1997)”, “Religion and Science (1997)”, are some of his important works in Tamil.

Through this works and compilations in English and Tamil based on deep study and research on the basis of training in research methodology he had gained in the western University, Dr. Shukri was able to expound an authentic exposition of Islamic concepts.

International Conferences

Dr. Shukri participated in number of international conferences held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Cairo, Malaysia, Qatar, Pakistan and in UK displayed his deep knowledge, erudite learning and scholarship by his lectures and presentations and brought honor to Sri Lanka. In 1987, he participated in the millennium celebration of the founding of Al-Azad University and brought great honor to the country. Apart from subjects related to Islamic studies and culture. Dr. Shukri had delivered lectures and made academic presentation in various conferences on subjects related to world peace, archaeology, history, science, comparative religion and Alcoholism and Drug addiction. These lectures and presentations reflect his deep knowledge and familiarity in many disciplines and contemporary social problems.

Research

Human rights, the subject that has engaged the attention of all the people in recent times was an area he was much interested. He has written many learned articles on this theme in the Muslim World Leaque Journal published from Saudi Arabia. His studies on Muslim thinkers and philosophers such as Al-Ghazzali and Al-Baruni were published in international journals and also he has contributed articles  on Muslim contribution to Science and Civilization. His article on Jabir bin Hayyan’s contribution to chemistry was published in 1990 in the Journal of Science and Medicine of Hamdard Institute, Pakistan.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Shukri was able to forge academic relationship with international scholars in the field of Islamic Studies. His contacts with Professor S.A. Imam and Professor W.S. Karunaratne at University of Peradeniya and University of Kelaniya left a deep impact on his academic personality. Though he moved with scholars and leaders of international repute, the simplicity he displays as a Muslim is a matter of pride for us as Sri Lankans. When one talks to him, he feels that he is talking to an intimate friend and a close companion. Though he is a highly respected academic personality, he is modest and unassuming. He is a noble person about whom entire Muslim community could be proud.

In recognition and appreciation of his services, the cultural ministry of the southern provincial council honored him by a conferring in him the title of “Rohana Ran-Silu” in 2003. Hindu Cultural Ministry awarded him the title of “Kala Ma-Mani”. All Ceylon YMMA Conference conferred him the award of “Y personality of the Year” for 2005. Sri Lanka student Islamic Movement awarded him the “Wahda Award” in 2005.

Born in our hometown Matara and served as our colleague in the academic staff of University of Kelaniya. Dr. Mohamed Ali Mohamed Shukri who is respected by all the communities of this country is a linguist, philosopher, scholar of Islamic studies and religion, a social worker, and an expert in the middle east and a historian and above all is a humanist.