Zahira College, Mawanella

Zahira College Mawanella

சாஹிரா கல்லூரி மாவனெல்ல
Motto	Discipline, Dynamism, Dexterity
Type	National
Established	1920
Principal	A.Mohammed Nowshad
Location	Mawanella
Colours	Maroon White & Blue
Website	mawanellazahira.com

Zahira College, Mawanella (also referred to as Mawanella Zahira) is a Muslim selective entry co-educational school in Mawanella, Sri Lanka. The college started as a result of the educational reform that was brought along with the 1920 political reforms. The school was started as a religious school in a cadjan shed which belonged to the Hinguloya Masjidul Huda. It is one of the largest Muslim educational institutions in Sri Lanka with more than 4000 students studying there. The college is located in Mawanella next to Masjidul Huda. Zahira means Excellence in Arabic.

History

The formation of the college can be traced back to the educational reforms initiated alongside the political transformations of 1920. Initially established as a religious institution in a rudimentary cadjan structure, it was affiliated with the Hinguloya Masjidul Huda. The inaugural educator was V. Samuel, hailing from Mannar. On March 23, 1921, the institution was formally registered as Hinguloya Tamil Mixed School under government oversight, with Dr. A. T. M. A. Azeez being the first student on record.

The physical infrastructure of the school was constructed by A. M. Abdul Rahman Marikkar and A. M. Majeed Marikkar. However, until 1943, academic advancement was limited, with educational offerings confined to Grade Five. A significant milestone occurred in 1943 when the institution expanded its curriculum to include Grade Six. Additionally, in 1928, D. L. M. Haniffa was appointed as a Monitor Teacher, and under his guidance, the Senior School Certificate (S.S.C.) class was established in 1946, albeit with a mere quartet of enrollees, one of whom was the future Principal of Zahira M. C. M. Riyal.

Factors influencing establishment

A historic public speech made by M. C. Siddhi Lebbe in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (which later became 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 and freedom fighter in Ceylon, 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. After establishing the Zahira College, Colombo the school was established here for the development of the Muslim community in the region as Zahira College, Mawanella.

Progress from 1952 to 1990

The period between 1952 and 1957 was also an important period in the history of Zahira College. Under Headmaster K. M. Samsudeen, girls were first given admission to the school. This enabled many young girls to get teaching appointments. The school started the Science Stream after obtaining the Science Laboratory through the help of the then Minister of Education AL Haj. Badiudeen Mahmood. During this period the school was named as Mawanella Zahira Maha Vidyalaya and with the appointment of the first graduate teacher, M. I. Haja Ameer, the G. C. E A/L classes were started around 1963. One of the students of this batch, Al Haj Y. L. M. Razik, a former principal of the school, was the first to enter the University and became a graduate.

M. I. Haja Ameer served as Principal from 1967. A former teacher at the institution, he notably expanded the school's academic offerings by introducing General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level classes during his tenure.

M. S. A Wahid became principal in 1968. During his tenure, in addition to obtaining electricity supply, Science, Maths and Commerce A/L classes were started.

I. L.M. Shihabdeen was principal from 1974 to 1979. Sir Markan Markar Hall, which was constructed at that time, is the first two-storeyed building of this school. Further, he brought graduate teachers from outstations to conduct special classes for G.C.E.A/L students. The first School Band was formed and he obtained the necessary instruments for it. Grades 10 and 11 were made a special section under a Sectional Head and this enabled to obtain good results in the G. C. E. O/L Examination beginning from 1979. A student was selected to the medical faculty for the first time during his tenure. M. C. M. Riyal succeeded him for some time and it was then the primary section building was constructed.

The next stage is the assumption of duty by M. S. A. Wahid again as the Principal. A concrete wall was built around the school compound, the road within the school was improved and with a gate constructed, a security service to the school was started. He reorganized G. C. E. A/L classes to obtain better results. He also made a playground for the school with the co-operation of the public and Inter-House sports meets were conducted for several years to promote sports in the school. After Wahid retired, Y. L. M. Razik assumed duties as Principal temporarily, which was later made permanent. He organized the administration and thereby paved the way for the development of this school in all its spheres. The results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, G. C. E O/L and A/L results became records in his time. The school was second only to leading schools like Ananda, Nalanda, and Royal. The school was upgraded to the status of Central College.

Mohamed Naleer Mohamed Arafath, a grade 8 student represented Sri Lanka Under 19 soccer team at Colombo SAF Games and was the only goal scorer to lead Sri Lanka to victory against India.

After 1990 to present

Mr M. I. Ismail who took charge of the school next moved sociably with his staff, parents and students and did many services to the school that was within his capacity. The period from 14 October 1996 to 4 May 1997 when M. R. M. Zackariya was the Principal of the school is also an unforgettable period in the history of the school. Being active and young he took many steps to remedy the shortcomings that prevailed at that time. An additional fifth class was given to the primary classes where there were only four earlier. Thereby the number of students increased in the Primary section. During his tenure, the school was upgraded as a National School. Amplifier facilities were provided and the new playground was made with the sacrifice and tireless services of M.S.M.Kamil, an old boy and a well-wisher, with the support of the Labour Minister Hon. Athauda Senavirathne and the Pavilion was named after the minister. When twenty-two teachers retired from service at the same time, he was able to fill the gap without creating problems to the educational activities or the administration of the school. Further, he made the canteen function in two sections in order to avoid congestion.

When Mr. A.K.M.Fouz who functioned as the Principal from 5 May 1997 to 18 January 1999 assumed duties; there was a tense situation in the school. But, he was able to face all the challenge with his calm disposition. He invited the Honourable Minister of Health Nimal Siripala De Silva to declare open the Dental Clinic.

Further, he organized an Educational exhibition on a grand scale successfully. Moreover, to improve G.C.E. O/L Maths results, he successfully organized special evening group classes for the students who were weak in Mathematics. These are worthy of mentioning here. Further with the aid obtained from the Saudi Arabian Islamic Development Bank, he was able to obtain instruments and machinery for Construction Technology. And many more services that could be understood by many have been done during his time.

It was during the tenure of his successor Mr. M.H.M.Nizar, that the O.B.A. and the O.G.A. of the school were formed. These associations have done much service and continue to do so. Mr. M.C.Nizardeen assumed duties on 5 July 2000. Though many great services have been done during his time and even though he works tirelessly, it is sad that those services are invisible for many. Computer Learning Centre, Special Education Unit, the Sports Pavilion, the land purchased for the school, the introduction of Hockey, Rugger, Cricket, Carrom to the school sports which enabled our students to participate at national levels, Audio Visual Unit, the wire net fence along the side of the mosque, two classrooms, the photocopier, the Geographer (Digital Printing Machine), the organization of the office room, the G.C.E. A/L Science laboratory, the best A/L results recorded in the history of the school, Rs. 800,000 worth curtain for the auditorium, water supply service and electricity connection to the unconnected areas, the Cultural Hall that has been erected with the help of I.I.R.O., the primary section building block with 30 modern classrooms obtained by inviting the Korean Ambassador with the support and sacrifices of Mr.M.S.M.Kamil, are some of the services of his time. Another after him his successor Marhoom I Abdul Hakeem, brought a vast change to the school, education, school environment and the logo of the school which prevailed for the long period was changed. The school was traveling towards a rapid development in curricular and extracurricular activities. He was a remarkable and courageous gentleman, never bowing down to any external forces or so-called Islamic movements. He was killed in an accident.

His successor Mr. Naeem Marrikkar, too, followed in the footsteps of the previous principal. After him, MR I.A Usana overtook his duties as the principal but due to some unavoidable reasons, the school had give up the principal. Again Mr. Nizardeen who once served as the principal took the responsibility too serves the school.

Teachers

Most of the teachers who serve the school are former Zahira students.

Awards

Year	Award	Place	Principal	Details
2018	National Productivity Award	Third Place	M M Jawad Naleemi	School Sector

Societies and clubs

• Prefects Guild
• Students' Media Forum
• Photographic Society
• Scouts
• Cadets
• ICT Society
• Interact Club
• Environment Society
• Aesthetic Club
• Health club
• New invention club
• Science club
• Student parliament

Passtout students forums

• Old Zahirians Media Association - OZMA
• Old Cadet Association - OCA
• Zahirians Rugby Union - ZRU
• Zahira Old Basketball Association - ZOBBA
• Old Zahirians Alumni- xZahirians

Sports

• Football
• Rugby - awarded as a Best Rugby team in Subragamuwa province
• Basketball - 2009, 2010 Province Runner-up's and the Champions of Kegalle District
• Karate
• Volleyball
• Athletic - College has made lot of island champions in athletic such as short distance runners, javelin throwers, high jumpers etc.

External links

• OBA - Old Boys Association
• xZahirians