Zahira College, Colombo
Zahira College 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, 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, A. M. A. Azeez, and R. I. T. Alles. 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.The college began constructing a major sports complex in 2020.