Zahira College, Colombo

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Zahira College
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. Triizvy 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.lk

Zahira College (commonly known as Zahira) (Sinhala: සහිරා විදුහල, Tamil: சாஹிரா கல்லுரி) is an Islamic school at Colombo in Maradana, Sri Lanka.^[1] It was founded in 1892 as Al Madrasathul Zahira by 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 on its campus.^[2]

The word Zahira means "excellence" in Arabic.

The establishment of Zahira College, a school mainly for Muslims, in Sri Lanka in 1892 was a significant event in the history of education in the country. Individuals such as M. C. Siddi Lebbe conceived the idea of the school 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.

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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.^[3] 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 and freedom fighter. On Monday, 22 August 1892, Zahira College officially opened its doors to students. The school started with just 37 students, but it quickly grew in popularity, and by the end of the first year, the student population had increased to 125.

Zahira College is overseen by a board comprising eighteen 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.^[4] M. Fouzul Hameed took over as chairman of the Board of Governors in 2006.

The college constructed a major sports complex for the students.^{[when?][5][6][7]}

The college, is renowned for its sporting history, particularly in the field of soccer. Over the years, Zahira has produced a significant number of talented soccer players who have gone on to represent Sri Lanka at the national level.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]}

The college swimming pool project^[14] was proposed and funded by the Old Boys Association.^[15] and it was officially opened for students, old boys and the public (after school hours).^[16] The project was initiated in 2010 and successfully completed and opened on 14 July 2012.^[17]

Zahira college has produced a number of international cricket players^[18][19] in the 1930's. ^[20] 20th century zahirians had joint with Sri Lankan Cricket and they are improving them to be representatives at National team of Sri Lanka.^[21][22][23]

The college, has a history of producing athletes in a variety of disciplines.^[24]

Currently, there are number of sports like Air Rifle Shooting, Basketball, Hockey, Karate, Boxing, Band, Cadeting, Chess, Scouting, Tennis etc. to the scholars.^[25][26]

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.

• Angora of Turkey
• Baghdad of Iraq
• Cordova of Spain
• Istanbul of Turkey

Today there are more than fifteen clubs and societies at the college actively running to develop the extra curricular skills of the students.^[27]

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.^[27]

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

Zahira produced citizens who are fluent in all three national languages. During the "Golden Era of Zahira" many leaders made enormous contribution to the nation and the world at large. Zahira's Magazine ‘Crescent’ towards the development of national languages was immense.^[28][29]

• Official website
• The College Anthem