Forth generation of Musthaphas forays into legal domain

Monday, 19 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By S.S. Selvanayagam

Having fledged with new feathers as an Attorney-at-Law, Fathima Zuleyha Markar forays into the realm of the legal profession. She is the daughter of Zulfer and Faisza Markar.

She hails from a family of legal luminaries in the chronological order as the fourth generation without any gap as a legal professional in the heterogeneity of family educational background, especially in the legal domain.

It is a common saying that intellectual growth commences at birth, so is Zuleyha’s achievement of a child.

Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself, says a Chinese proverb. Personality opens doors, but only character can keep them open. Zuleyha’s character and phenomena have been moulded and shaped in the heterogeneity of her family background.

Her great grandfather was S.M. Musthapha, who practiced in the District Court of Kandy. He was known as the Lion of the Bar.

Her maternal grandfather Faisz Musthapha has been at the Bar for more than 46 years. He is a President’s Counsel and one of the most eminent lawyers and practices in the Appellate Courts. Her paternal grandfather A. Markar was also a lawyer.

Her mother Faisza Markar, the daughter of Faisz Musthapha and Ameena Musthapha, got married and after having two children, did her LL.B degree. She is also a Barrister of Lincoln’s Inn.

Fathima Zuleyha Markar’s uncle Faizer Musthapha is also an Attorney-at-Law.

She is a third generation old girl of C.M.S. Ladies’ College of Colombo. She has an LL.B (Hons.) Degree from the University of London. Her husband, Dr. Fahir Khiard, is a physician.

Her younger sister Zainab Markar is also a final year law student reading for a LL.B Degree from the University of London.

Religion plays a very strong role in this family that is modern in outlook, but continues to strictly observe the expected religious practices.

Sons and daughters are the treasures of each family clan. Fathima Zuleyha Markar is so and such a child to the heterogeneity of her family.