Zahira College, Colombo

Zahira College, Colombo is the very first Muslim school in Sri Lanka and was founded in 1892 as Al Madrasathul Zahira by two of the most prominent Sri Lankan Muslims of the day, I. L. M. Abdul Aziz and Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar, with the active patronage of Ahmed Orabi Pasha of Egypt. It is currently the largest Muslim educational institution in Sri Lanka with more than 4000 students studying there. The college is situated at the heart of Colombo city. The college also has one of the oldest mosques in the country in its premises. Zahira means Excellence in Arabic.

History

The idea of school mainly for Muslims was conceived by visionaries at a time, such as Proctor M. C. Siddi Lebbe of Kandy, when circumstances were positively hostile to English education due to the reasons where English education was very much associated with proselytism. At this juncture in history of Sri Lanka almost all the schools in the country were run by Christian missionaries. Because Sri Lanka had not won its independence from the British Empire an almost state aided conversion submerged other communities. Nevertheless Muslim pioneers in education were more than satisfied that Islam would weather assaults at conversion but that education was essential for the Muslim community’s progress if not its very survival. Thus did Zahira make its first small steps on Monday, 22 August 1892.

Factors influencing establishment

An historic public speech made by M. C. Siddhi Lebbe in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (which later became to be the college mosque) and his appeal to the Muslim community to unite and promote the educational advancement of the community led to the formation of the Colombo Muslim Educational Society. The first Secretary was I. L. M. Abdul Aziz and Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar was the first Treasurer and Head Master. With the help of Ahamed Orabi Pasha, an Egyptian exile in Ceylon and freedom fighter, the long cherished dream of Al-Madrasathul Zahira was established. In 1894 the school was registered as a grant-in-aid school Maradana Mohammedan Boys School.

College song

College song transliteration

Yaa Rabbal Aalami Val Kawni
Yaa Rabbal Aalami Val Kawni

Li Hayaathil Ilmi Vaddeenee
Li Hayaathil Ilmi Vaddeenee

Haiyaka Alaa Kullid Dahri
Liru Joo Ill Madrasathiz Zahira

Haazaa Hamdullake Ya Allah
Annashkura Fee Kaulil Aa'laa

Sala Vaa Thullahi Va Thasleemoo
Li Seyyidina Khairil Basharee

Synopsis

O! Lord of the World and the Universe,
We pray throughout our life and ask that you gift us with Knowledge and Piety,
Zahira College seeks your blessing to flourish throughout time,
We praise and thank Thee O! Lord for all that you grant us,
And we thank Thee also for your blessings upon our Prophet, the Exalted One among Mankind.

Headmasters

Mr. A. M. Wapchie Marikar
Proctor Mr. N. H. M. Abdul Cader
Mr. A. S. Abdul Cader
Mr. S.J.A. Doray

Principals

Mr. O. E. Martinus 1913 - 1914
Mr. J. C. McHeyzer 1914 - 1920
Mr. T. B. Jayah 1921 - 1947
Mr. A. M. A. Azeez 1948 - 1961
Mr. I. L. M. Mashoor 1961 - 1965
Mr. M. F. M. H. Fakhir 1965 - 1966
Mr. S. L. M. Shafie Marikar 1967 -1982
Mr. R. I. T. Alles (Director of Studies) 1983 - 1985
Mr. Saheed M. Irshad 1986 - 1987
Mr. T. D. Hannan 1988
Mr. A. Z. Omardeen 1989
Mr. A. M. Sameem 1990 - 1991
Mr. A. Javid Yusuf 1992 - 1994
Deshabandu Prof. M. T. A. Furkhan 1995 - 1997
Dr. I. A. Ismail 1998
Mr. S. A. R. M. Farook 1999
Dr. M. Uvais Ahamed 2001 - 2006
Mr. T.K. Azoor 2008
Mr. A.A.Akdhar 2009-

Notable alumni

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - former President of the Maldives
A.C.M. Ameer - Former Attorney General
Shibly Aziz PC- Former Attorney General
Saleem Marsoof PC - Appeal Court Judge
M. Jameel - Former Supreme Court Judge
Ameer Sheriff - Former Coroner of Colombo
Sam Macan Markar
S.M. Kamaldeen - Former Deputy Chief Librarian, Colombo Public Library and former President of the Sri Lanka Library Association
Nizam Lantra - Former Director of Ceylon Tourist Board. Tourism Consultant for UNWTO.
Deshabandu Prof. M. T. A. Furkhan (Chairman Confifi Group, former President CIMA, Sri Lanka)
M.M. Zuhair PC - Ambassador to Islamic Republic of Iran
Javed Yusuf - Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
M. Rifai - Former Ambassador to Yugoslavia
Razik Zarook PC.- Former Ambassador to Singapore
Professor Rizvi Sheriff - Chancellor of Faculty of Medicine University of Colombo
A.H.M. Fowzie - Minister of Highways and Transportation
Desamanya Mohammed Abdul Bakeer Markar - Former Speaker of Parliament
Dharmadasa Banda - Former Cabinet Minister
M.L.M. Aboosally - Former Cabinet Minister
Naina Marikkar - Former Minister of Finance
M.H.M. Ashraff PC - Former Minister of Ports & Shipping and Founder Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
A.H.M. Azwer - Former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
Professor S.J. Wesumperuma - Sri Lanka Foundation
Vass Gunawardene - Former Chairman, Board of Investment
Aslam Omar Director Brandix Groups
Fouzul Hameed Managing Director Hameedias
Abdul Majeed Former Sri Lanka Rugby Player
Hisham Abdeen-Former National Team Rugby Coach and Sri Lankan Player
Jisthy Foumy-Managing Director Diamond House PLC

Source: Wikipedia


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