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Semi government school in Maradana, Western Province, Sri Lanka
| Zahira College | |
|---|---|
| [REDACTED] | |
| Address | |
| Zahira College Colombo, Orabi Pasha Street, Maradana, Western Province, 01000 Sri Lanka | |
| Coordinates | 6°55′38″N 79°51′51″E / 6.927351°N 79.864175°E / 6.927351; 79.864175 |
| Information | |
| Former name | Madarasathul Zahira |
| Type | Semi government |
| Motto | Arabic: Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) |
| Established | 21 August 1892; 132 years ago (1892-08-21) |
| Founder | Ahmed Orabi, A. M. Wapchi Marikar and M. C. Siddi Lebbe |
| School district | Colombo |
| School number | +(94) 11 2695062 |
| Principal | A. R. M. Trizvy Marikkar (2013 - present) |
| Teaching staff | 250+ |
| Grades | 1–13 (English, Sinhala and Tamil Medium) |
| Gender | Boys School |
| Age | From 6 years to 19 years |
| Enrollment | 5500+ |
| Colour(s) | Green, white, maroon |
| Alumni | Old Zahirians |
| Website | zahiracollege |
![[REDACTED]](https://u3vuiephb.global.ssl.fastly.net/File:Zahira_College_CMB_logo.png){kind=link}
Zahira College (commonly known as Zahira) (Sinhala: සහිරා විදුහල, Tamil: சாஹிரா கல்லுரி) is an Islamic school in Maradana, Colombo, Sri Lanka, founded in 1892 as Al Madrasathul Zahira by Islamic lawyer and educationalist, M. C. Siddi Lebbe, with the patronage of Ahmed Orabi Pasha of Egypt. The college's campus features one of the oldest mosques in the country.
The word Zahira means "excellence" in Arabic.
History
Zahira College was established as a school mainly for Muslims in 1892. It was conceived by Islamic lawyer and educator M. C. Siddi Lebbe, during a time when English education was viewed with suspicion due to its association with proselytism. At the time, almost all schools in Sri Lanka were run by Christian missionaries, and English education was seen as a tool for converting non-Christians to Christianity. This posed a challenge for Muslims who wanted to provide their children with a modern education but were wary of exposing them to religious conversion.
In a public speech in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (which later became the college mosque), M. C. Siddhi Lebbe appealed to the Muslim community to unite to promote the educational advancement of the community. This appeal led to the formation of the Colombo Muslim Educational Society, with I. L. M. Abdul Aziz as the first secretary and Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar as the first treasurer and headmaster, assisted by Ahamed Orabi Pasha, an Egyptian exile in Ceylon. On Monday, 22 August 1892, Zahira College opened its doors to students. The school started with 37 students, rising to 125 by the end of its first year of operation.
The Zahira College magazine is entitled Crescent.
Governance
Zahira College is overseen by a board comprising 18 governors drawn 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. M. Fouzul Hameed took over as chairman of the Board of Governors in 2006.
Notable former principals of the college include Tuan Burhanudeen Jayah (1921-1947), A. M. A. Azeez (1948-1961), and R. I. T. Alles (1983-1985). The current principal, since 2013, is A. R. M. Trizviiy Marikkar.
Sports facilities
The project to build a college swimming pool was proposed and funded by the Old Boys Association. It was initiated in 2010 and completed on 14 July 2012, opening for students, alumni, and the public (after school hours).
The college began constructing a major sports complex in 2020.
Notable alumni
See also: Category:Alumni of Zahira College, ColomboReferences
- Booso, Ahmadh (29 May 2021). "ZAHIRA, A Temple of Tolerance". Zahira College Old Boys' Association. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- "Zahira College Colombo- 130 years of Excellence!". Sundaytimes.lk. 8 September 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- "Zahira College relaunches the Crescent Magazine". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 22 June 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2023 – via PressReader.
- "Re-launch of Zahira College 'Crescent' mag today | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- "Zahira College, Colombo, Board Of Governors (Incorporation)". Lawnet. Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- "Zahira launches swimming pool". Sunday Times. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2023 – via PressReader.
- "Zahira swimming pool project is launched". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- "Dream comes true for Zahira College with opening of swimming pool". Daily FT. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- Farook, Ruzaik (21 August 2012). "Grand opening of the Zahira College Swimming Pool Complex" (PDF). Daily News. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- "Zahira College to construct major sports complex". Sunday Observer. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- Farook, Ruzaik. "Zahira Sports Complex construction begins". Daily News. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- NewsDesk (1 November 2020). "Zahira College to build a large sports complex". ExBulletin. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- "Notable Zahirians – Zahira College Colombo".
- "Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka.
- "Hon. M.T. HASEN ALI, M.P.,, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 September 2022.