Publications / Publikasi
REFLECTIONS, a collection of Poems and Prose compiled by Honeida Packeer was launched as an electronic flipbook type version by the Women’s Association of Sri Lanka Malays (WASLAM) on Sunday the 2nd of October 2022. A few printed copies of REFLECTIONS autographed by the poet was distributed to special invitees at the event.
In her own words Reflections, is “a collage penned in my own inimitable style of writing under poetic license is an insight into my thoughts and reflections. It is my hope that with these ripples those who knew me and those who did not, will get a glimpse of me in the mirror of my life.
My candid expressions, ruminations and viewpoints hold no malice or blame to any single person. They are only images that crossed my camera lens”.
The collection includes some thought-provoking poems such as Mother, Conflict, Memories, Peace and Friendship, which is indicative of the author’s spiritual outlook accepting creeping age with grace and humility.
Author, Honeida Packeer is the Founder and first president of the Women’s Association of Sri Lanka Malays (WASLAM).
If you enjoyed REFLECTIONS and would like to send your feedback and comments, kindly write to author directly at phon1937@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Terima Kasih
October 4, 2022
EXCERPTS FROM A SPEECH BY WAZIR SOURJAH, ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK ‘REFLECTIONS’
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I stand before you as a proud nephew of Hajiani Honeida Packeer for the launch of her collection of Poems and Prose, aptly titled REFLECTIONS
Aunty Honeida is a favorite Aunt and I am sure, so is she, to my other cousins as
well. My recollections of aunty Honeida goes down memory lane to the time I was
a small boy, when she was living in Udahamulla with Nene (our grandmother),
Aunty Dotty and a little later with uncle Ozwin her beloved husband, who
eventually became my friend and accomplice in all good deeds, and also due to his hospitality tolerating me at home in Nawala, which was a watering hole for lavish ‘brew’s and nutritious snacks, I mean bites, fresh out of the pantry, for me and a
select few or just only the two of us), after a tiring work day.
Aunty Honeida, at the time in Udahamulla, resembled Angelina Jolie; tall, slim, fair
and beautiful. I wonder what strategies and tactics uncle Ozwin used to woo her?
Lucky guy, uncle Ozwin. Her personality impacted me positively as a youngster. I was the paige boy at her wedding held at the Girl Friendly Society Hall in Colpetty.
A dashing young lady in Zulfikar Packeer was the Bridesmaid.
Aunty Honeida’s striking traits were and are; being positive, cheerful and always
with a “can do attitude”, has inspired her to live a full life with all round contributions to society in general and the Malay community in particular. Her involvement and participation in numerous organizations commencing from the Ceylon Malay Youth League in 1957 to the Co-founding of WASLAM in 2010 and beyond are ample testimony. Aunty Honeida’s experience in the corporate sector, Colombo Agencies in Sri Lanka and in the US, in California no doubt contributed to her vocational skills, expertise and achievements.
Aunty Honeida to me was a source of great encouragement and motivation. In the year 1987, whilst in the police, I wanted an important book on protection of VIPs and it was not available in Sri Lanka. My request to her was promptly met and I received the book “Dead Clients Don’t Pay” by Leroy Thompson by special post.
My dad, a prolific creative writer, who hammered away at his manual typewriter produced Islamic and Malay literature, unlike his younger sister Honeida who is computer savvy to compose her present works. My Dad doted on his younger sister (aunty Honeida), and cared for her very much. She was special to him.
“REFLECTIONS”
Browsing through the collection of poems in the book, I am amazed at the
compositions. I am no poet, may be a novice at the most, but moved at the imagery and the messages it conveys. Poetry, I believe is spiritual. It inspires spontaneous compiles in one’s mind, heart and soul. The great 13th Century mystic poet Jalaludin Rumi whose spiritual poetry, enchanted the world, is an example. According to Dr. Mohamed Safiullah Munsoor’s 2017 essay, ‘Poetry, prose, calligraphy and art’ are all part of the Creative Process Practice advocated in the Islamic Contemplative framework. The title of the booklet ‘Reflections’ coincides with Dr. Munsoor’s essay on Contemplative practices which identifies Reflection to be ‘taffakur’, as another type of meditation. All this points to Aunty Honeida’s progression
spiritually and Insha Allah wish her achieve greater heights from Shariah, Tariqah
to Haqiqah and beyond. Mrs Zulfikar Musafer, writes in the preface of ‘Reflections’ that one of the poems that touched her is the opening poem tagged MOTHER. It touched me too. The poem, which in my view is the ultimate tribute Aunty Honeida pays to her mother; our Nene. This poem invoked fond memories of Nene. Nene indeed was strong, courageous and a very special lady.
May Almighty Allah be pleased with her.
I quote poet Andrew Guzaldo,
“A strong woman is one who loves deeply, and loves fiercely, her tears flow just as abundantly as her laughter.
A strong woman is both soft and powerful. She is both practical and spiritual ……
A strong woman in her essence is a gift to the World”, unquote.
And that, ladies and gentlemen is a fitting description and tribute to our Nene.
Aunty Honeida’s poems and reflective observations set out in prose are beautifully expressed with love and warmth. Eloquence emanating from a well-balanced personality who has understood the purpose and inner meaning of this life on earth, to be sensitive to the people, events and things around her, short of being an extremist or fundamentalist in her outlook. Her poems and prose, I’m sure will inspire and motivate us and the younger
generation. Expect her to continue to contribute to the local Malay and Islamic
literature. May Almighty Allah favor Aunty Honeida with his choicest blessing in
good health and long-life.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank WASLAM for giving me this opportunity to air my
thoughts today on this important day in my Aunt’s life journey. I also thank and
congratulate my cousins Marlene and Sandra and niece Naushara Packeer for
making ‘Reflections’ a truly valued, treasured and memorable venture.
To all senior citizens: “Wear your years with Pride, Like a Badge of honour!
For you have conquered,
You have thrived,
You have survived”!
Allah, bless us all. May our motherland be blessed with peace, harmony and
prosperity.
WAZIR SOURJAH
October 2, 2022
