Type Public School Gender Boys Alumni Old Zahirians | Established 22 August 1892 Phone +94 11 2 695062 Pupils Zahirians | |
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Motto Alhamdulillah
(Praise be to Allah) Founder A. Orabi Pasha, A.M. Wapchie Marikar and M. C. Siddi Lebbe Grades 1–13 (English, Sinhala and Tamil Medium) Address Ven Baddegama Wimalawansa Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka Principal Mr. Triizvy Marikkar (2013 - present) | ||
Zahira College, Colombo (commonly known as Zahira College or simply as Zahira) (Sinhalese: සහිරා විදුහල, Tamil: சாஹிரா கல்லுரி, Arabic: Zahira means "Excellence") 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.
Contents
History
The idea of school mainly for Muslims was conceived by prominent individuals at the 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, due to this and many other pertaining factors, Zahira 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 to be 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.
Swimming pool
The college Swimming pool project was proposed and funded by the Old Boys Association. and it was officially opened for the School Students, Old boys and for the Public (after school hours). The project was initiated in 2010 and successfully completed and opened on 14 July 2012.
Associations
Clubs and Societies
Sports
Zahira College is generally known as the "Kings of School Football" in Sri Lanka, due to its major achievements on the jootball field. The College has produced a number of talented football players who represented the national team. The College trophy cabinet is full of silverware from College football.
In 2013 Zahira started improving rugby under the coach Mr. Shamly Nawaz and they were ranked 38th amongst the schools play rugby in Sri Lanka. From there onwards Zahira was going forward positively and in 2016 July they were entered rugby division one after some great achievement in 2nd division while ranked 10th amongst the schools in Sri Lanka. Furthermore in August 2016 Zahira displayed some great rugby talents in Sri Lanka Super 7s and defeated top teams like st. Peters college and st Thomas college to ranked number 4 in SL Super 7s. In 2017 Zahira will play rugby in division one.
Also College is actively participating in following Sports presently.
Houses
The students are divided into four houses. The houses are led by House Captains, competing in all major games to win the inter-house games and house colours are awarded winners. The houses are: