Zahira College Mawanella Girls Association

lla situated next to Masjidul Huda . Zahira means Excellence in Arabic

The school was started as a religious school in a cadjan shed which belonged to the Hinguloya Masjidul Huda. Samuel from Mannar was appointed as the first teacher. On the 23rd March 1921, the school which was named Hinguloya Tamil Mixed School was registered as a Government School and the first student registered was late Dr. A. A Azeez. Late A. Abdul Rahman Marikkar and A. Majeed Marikkar constructed the building for the school. But until 1943, there was no notable progress to be seen and the classes were only up to Grade Five. In 1943 Grade Six class was started and since then many incidents worthy of mentioning commenced in the history of the school. In 1928, the late Mr. L. Haniffa was appointed as a Monitor Teacher to the school. Being young and enthusiastic, in the field of education and social consciousness, he played an important role in the development of the school. As a result of his untiring efforts, the S.S. C. Class was started in 1946. There were only four students in the class. Pandithar S. Sangarapillai of Chawakachcheri taught all the subjects to these students and made two of them get through the examination.One of them was former Principal of Zahira Mr. Riyal and the other, late Mr. Rafeek who served as a vice principal of the school for some time. The result of these students brought an enthusiasm in education and an awakening feeling in the school. Factors influencing establishment

An historic public speech made by M. Siddhi Lebbe in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (which later became to be 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. 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, 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 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.The Head Master from Maruthamunai Mr. K. Samsudeen worked hard not only in the evening but also during the holidays for the improvement of the school. It is noteworthy to state that it was during his period that girls were given admission to the school which was denied to them earlier.This enabled many young girls to get teaching appointments. The next principal was Marhoom A. A. Samsudeen Hajiar from Beruwela. It was during his tenure of office the school was upgraded as a Maha Vidyalaya. With this Mr. H. Haniffa assumed duties as the new Principal. Many devoted teachers joined the staff. Buildings came up and the number of students on roll too increased. The school started science stream after obtaining the Science Laboratory through the help of the then Minister of Education late Mr. AL Haj. Badiudeen Mahmood. The services rendered by late Dr. Al Haj. Azeez, Al Haj Marhoom M. Buhary, Al Haj Mr. S. Marikkar, late Mr. Al Haj M. Makeen and many others who worked immensely for this purpose should be praised. During this period the school was named as Mawanella Zahira Maha Vidyalaya and with the appointment of the first graduate teacher, Mr. I. Haja Ameer, the G. E A/L classes were started around 1963. One of the students of this batch, Al Haj Mr. Y. Razik, a former principal of the school was the first to enter the university and became a graduate. The services rendered by teacher Karainahar Poet Sundarempillai (B. A London), Mr. Sellaiyah of Pungududeewu are worthy of praise and appreciation. After Mr. Haniffa left the school to take up the appointment of School Inspector, late Mr. Haniffa who was affectionately called as ‘Aashiriyar Thanthai’ (Father of Teachers) assumed duties as the principal during his last years of service. The enthusiasm with which he worked to serve this school even in his last years of service should be appreciated. Many building blocks were constructed during his period. Haniffa was succeeded by Mr. Thaiyoob. He reorganized the G. E. A/L classes and has the credit of sending a student to the University. The principal who assumed duties in 1967, Mr. Haja Ameer was a former teacher of this school and was responsible for starting the G. E A/L classes. He showed the right path – the path that was beneficial to us. He lives in our hearts. He was strict and a good administrator during his tenure of office. But it was unfortunate for both Zahira and her students that they couldn’t benefit from his services for long. Another important stage of the school dawned with Mr. A Wahid assuming duties as the principal of the school in 1968. He had a vigorous personality and was able to win the hearts of his students, his staff of teachers, parents, and well-wishers and soon became “Wahid Master” for all. Almost everything he did became a success. He made Zahira prominent and popular in the country. It is not wrong to say that the educational achievements of Zahira reached its peak during his tenure as the principal. Quite a number of students gained admission to the Arts Faculties of the universities. We mention with gratitude that most of the graduates serving in various parts are the products of his period at Zahira. We are also duty bound to mention the names of efficient teachers of the calibre like Mr. V.V. Gomes, the writer and Pandithar Murugesu who served the school. During the last stages of his tenure, in addition to obtaining electricity supply, Science, Maths and Commerce A/L classes were started. AL Haj Mr. Zehirdeen from Matale, who succeeded him, was a good administrator. Therefore the various sections of the school functioned in an orderly manner. Though many services had been done during the period of this efficient Principal, they are not available in record to mention here .Mr. L.M. Shihabdeen who succeeded him in 1974 did many services until he left in 1979. Sir Markan Markar Hall constructed at that time is the first two storeyed building block of this school. He worked hard to see the completion of it. 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, 11 were made a special section under a Sectional Head and this enabled to obtain good results in the G. O/L Examination from 1979. A student was selected to the medical faculty for the first time, during his tenure .After the transfer of Mr. Shihabdeen Mr. 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 Mr. Wahid again as the principal. The services rendered to the school by him until 08.12.1985 will never fade away from our memories. A concrete wall was built round the school compound, a security service to the school was started. The slacking administration of the school at that time gained vigour with his arrival. He reorganized G. 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 in order to develop sports in the school. Wahid retired, Mr. Razik assumed duties as principal temporarally, which was later made permanent. With the co-operation of the S. S, O. B. A and well-wishers he followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Mr. Wahid. He organized the administration and thereby paved the way for the development of this school in all spheres. The results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, G. E O/L and A/L results became records in his time. The school was upgraded to the status of Central College. The service done by Dr. Hameed A. Azeez and the former Minister for Building Construction Mr. Chandra Ranatunge to obtain this status should be mentiond here. Therefore Mr.Y.L.M. Razik and the SDS of that time are worthy of praise. During his time, 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 taste the victory against India.