Zahira College, Colombo

Zahira College (commonly known as Zahira) (Sinhala: සහිරා විදුහල, Tamil: சாஹிரா கல்லுரி) is an Islamic school at Colombo in Maradana, Sri Lanka[1] and was founded in 1892 as Al Madrasathul Zahira by notable Islamic lawyer and educationalist, Muhammad Cassim Siddi Lebbe, with the active patronage of Ahmed Orabi Pasha of Egypt. The college also has one of the oldest mosques in the country in its premises.[2]

Zahira College
Address
Zahira College Colombo, Orabi Pasha Street,

Maradana
,
Western Province
,
01000

Sri Lanka
Coordinates6.927351°N 79.864175°E / 6.927351; 79.864175
Information
Former name"Madarasathul Zahira"
TypeSemi government
MottoArabic: Alhamdulillah
(Praise be to Allah)
Established22 August 1892 (1892-08-22)
FounderAhmed Orabi, A. M. Wapchi Marikar and M. C. Siddi Lebbe
School districtColombo
School number+(94) 11 2695062
PrincipalA. R. M. Triizvy Marikkar (2013 - present)
Teaching staff250+
Grades1–13 (English, Sinhala and Tamil Medium)
GenderBoys School
AgeFrom 6 years to 19 years
Enrollment5500+
Colour(s)Green, white, maroon
   
AlumniOld Zahirians
Websitezahiracollege.lk

The word Zahira means "excellence" in Arabic.

History
Zahira College Mosque, also known as the Maradana Mosque. The mosque was established long before the college was started and was patronized by A.M. Wapchie Marikar.

The idea of school mainly for Muslims was conceived by prominent individuals at the time, such as Proctor M. C. Siddi Lebbe, when circumstances were positively hostile to English education due to the reasons where English education was very much associated with proselytism.[3] 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, due to this and many other pertaining factors which was taken placed on those years[4] later, Zahira College was established on Monday, 22 August 1892.

Factors influencing establishment

During a public speech made by M. C. Siddhi Lebbe in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (which later became the college mosque), he appealed to the Muslim community to unite and promote the educational advancement of the community. This 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, Al-Madrasathul Zahira was established. In 1894 the school was registered as a grant-in-aid school Maradana Mohammedan Boys School.

The Gafoor Hall, Colleges Main Hall
The Umpichy Building across the college ground

Board of Governors

Zahira College is administered by a board of eighteen governors, from the executive committee of the Maradana Mosque, the Zahira College Welfare Society, the Zahira College Parent-Teachers Association and the Zahira College Old Boys’ Association.[5] M. Fouzul Hameed, who took over as chairman of the Board of Governors in 2006.

Sports

Zahira college, Colombo had constructed major sports complex for the scholars who are interested in sports to represent College.[6][7][8]

Soccer

The college has produced a number of Soccer players who represented the Sri Lanka national team.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Swimming

The college swimming pool project[16] was proposed and funded by the Old Boys Association.[17] and it was officially opened for students, old boys and the public (after school hours).[18] The project was initiated in 2010 and successfully completed and opened on 14 July 2012.[19]

Cricket

Zahira college has produced a number of international cricket players[20][21] in 1930's[22] and later days in 20th century zahirians had joint with Sri Lankan Cricket and they are improving them to be representatives at National team of Sri Lanka.[23][24][25]

Athletic

Many athletic players had bought glory and fame to Zahira College.[26]

Other

Currently, there are more sports like Air Rifle Shooting, Basketball, Hockey, Karate, Boxing, Band, Cadeting, Chess, Scouting, Tennis etc. to the scholars.[27][28]

Houses

Students are divided into four houses. The houses compete in all major games to win the inter-house games, with house colours awarded to winners.

  • Angora colour : Green  
  • Baghdad colour : Blue  
  • Cordova colour : Orange  
  • Istanbul colour : Maroon  

The four house names are derived from four historic Muslim cities.

Clubs and associations

Clubs and societies

Today there are about thirteen clubs and societies in Zahira College.[29]

Associations

There are associations where Zahira old boys owned them with respect for helping purpose to the college and to give pride further to the alma mater.[29]

Headmasters
  • A. M. Wapchie Marikar
  • N. H. M. Abdul Cader
  • A. S. Abdul Cader
  • S. J. A. Doray
  • Abdul Azeez

Principals
NameFromTo
O. E. Martinus19131914
J. C. McHeyzer19141920
Tuan Burhanudeen Jayah19211947
A. M. A. Azeez19481961
I. L. M. Mashoor19611965
M. F. M. H. Fakhir19651966
S. L. M. Shafie Marikar19671982
R. I. T. Alles (Director of Studies)19831985
Saheed M. Irshad19861987
T. D. Hannan1988
A. Z. Omardeen1989
A. M. Sameem19901991
A. Javid Yusuf19921994
Prof. M. T. A. Furkhan19951997
Dr. I. A. Ismail1998
S. A. R. M. Farook1999
Dr. M. Uvais Ahamed20012006
T.K. Azoor20082010
M. H. M. Jiffry20102012
A. R. M. Trizviiy Marikkar2013present

Notable alumni

Zahira produced citizens who are fluent in all three national languages. During the "Golden Era of Zahira" many brilliant leaders were produced and they made enormous contribution to the nation and the world at large. Zahira's Magazine ‘Cresent’ towards the development of national languages was immense.[30][31]

Name Notability Reference
V. Anandasangaree Member of Parliament - Kilinochchi (1970–1983), Jaffna (2000–2004)
Sir Razik Fareed Member of Parliament
A. H. M. Fowzie Member of Parliament - National List (2015–present), Colombo (1994–2015), Mayor of Colombo (1974–1977)
Abdul Bakeer Markar Speaker of the Parliament (1977-1983), Member of Parliament - Beruwala (1960–1988), Governor of Southern Province (1988–1993)
Ali Sabry Minister of Finance (2022- present), Minister of Justice (2020–present), Member of Parliament - National List (2020–present)
Abdul Caffoor Mohamad Ameer 32nd Attorney General of Sri Lanka
Shibly Aziz 37th Attorney General of Sri Lanka
Alavi Moulana Governor Western Province (2002–2015), Minister of Labour (2001–2002)
Naina Marikkar Minister of Finance (1988–1989)
Prof. Tuley De Silva Chancellor of the WUSL
Prof. Achi Mohamed Ishaq Chancellor of the SEUSL
A.H.M. Azwer Member of Sri Lankan Parliament for national list (1989-1994, 2010–2014)
Prof. M.T.A. Furkhan Academic, Inductee- Global Management Accounting Hall of Fame
Ameer Ali Minister of Disaster Relief Management (2007-2010), Member of Sri Lankan Parliament (2015–present)
A. M. Merza Member of Sri Lankan Parliament for Kalmunai (1952–1956)
M. H. M. Ashraff Minister of Ports, Shipping and Rehabilitation (1994–2000), Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament (1989–2000)
M. L. M. Aboosally Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Minister of Labor, Rugby Player [32]
Mujibur Rahman Member of Parliament - Colombo (2015–present) [33]
Saleem Marsoof Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka (2005–2014)
S. Z. M. Mashoor Moulana Senator - Senate of Ceylon
A. J. M. Muzammil Mayor of Colombo (2011–2016), Governor of Western Province (2019), Governor of North Western Province (2019–present)
Rishad Bathiudeen Minister of Industry and Commerce (2010–2019), Member of Sri Lankan Parliament for Vavuniya (2001–present)
Rezvi Sheriff academic, physician
S. Selvanayagam Academic, Professor Jaffna University
Karthigesu Sivathamby emeritus professor (Tamil studies), author
R. Sivagurunathan Academic, Lawyer and Editor Thinakaran
Hasen Ali Member of Parliament - National List (2004–2015) [34]
Dharmadasa Banda Cabinet Minister for additional plantation crops (2007–2010) and Member of Parliament Monaragala (1989-2000, 2004–2010)
M. M. Zuhair Member of parliament for the nationalist (1994–2000), Chairman Rupavahini and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Iran
Ben Navaratne First class cricketer (1940-1952)
Muttaiah Devaraj First class cricketer (1964-1967)
Ghulam Razick First class cricketer (1960s)

References
  1. "zahira college colombo located - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. Booso, Ahmadh (29 May 2021). "ZAHIRA, A Temple of Tolerance". Zahira College Old Boys' Association. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. K N O, Dharmadasa (1992). Language, Religion, and Ethnic Assertiveness: The Growth of Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. University of Michigan Press. pp. 126, 254. ISBN 978-0472102884.
  4. Joseph, Joanna (20 July 2017). "Zahira College Colombo". Information about Sri Lanka. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  5. "Zahira College, Colombo, Board Of Governors (Incorporation)". Lawnet. Minstry of Justice. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  6. "Zahira College to construct major sports complex". Sunday Observer. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. Farook, Ruzaik. "Zahira Sports Complex construction begins". Daily News. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. NewsDesk (1 November 2020). "Zahira College to build a large sports complex". ExBulletin. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. "Sports & Other Facilities – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  10. Farook, Ruzaik. "Soccer star Naina Mohamed felicitated". Daily News. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  11. "Zahira veterans felicitates soccer player Naina Mohamed on his new appointment - Colombo Times". 4 May 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  12. Wijewickrama, Navod (7 July 2020). "FFSL the main reason for Sri Lanka football's downfall - Roomy". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  13. "Log into Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 17 January 2022. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  14. "https://twitter.com/zcc_b19/status/1397873064151425025". Twitter. Retrieved 17 January 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  15. "Zahira College Football, Orabi pasha street, Col-10, Maradana (2022)". www.localgymsandfitness.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  16. "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  17. "Zahira swimming pool project is launched". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  18. "Dream comes true for Zahira College with opening of swimming pool | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  19. http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/08/21/fea102.pdf
  20. "Sports captains – Cricket – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  21. "Zahira College, Colombo". batsman. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  22. "Notable Zahirians – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  23. "Zahira cricket prodigy Rizwan dreams of representing Sri Lanka". Times Online - Daily Online Edition of The Sunday Times Sri Lanka. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  24. Correspondent, Dilwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Special. "Sixteen year old Rizwan excels for Zahira". Daily News. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  25. "Mohammed Shamaaz profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  26. "Sports captains – Athletic – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  27. "About Us – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  28. policy, Sports. "Sports Policy" (PDF). Zahira College, Colombo. {{cite journal}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. "Clubs & Associations – Zahira College Colombo". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  30. "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  31. "Re-launch of Zahira College 'Crescent' mag today | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  32. "Notable Zahirians – Zahira College Colombo".
  33. "Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka.
  34. https://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/1503
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