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=Summary= Zahira College Colombo is the very first Muslim school in Sri Lanka. 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. Zahira means Excellence in Arabic.

=History= The idea of school mainly for muslims was conceived by visionaries at a time 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. Owing to the fact that Sri Lanka hadn't 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 did Zahira make its first small steps on Monday, 22nd of August 1892.

Factors Influencing Establishment
An historic public speech made by M. C. Siddhi Lebbe in 1891 at the Maradana Mosque Hall (Which later became to be the college mosque) and his appeal to the Muslims community to unite and promote the educational advancement of the community led to the formation of the Colombo Muslim Educational Society. The first Secratory was I. L. M. Abdul Aziz and A. M. Wappitchi Marikar was the first Treasurer. 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.

First Steps
In 1905 the foundation stone for the Gafoor building was laid by Moulavi Rafiudeen Ahmed of Bombay. The Gafoor building was declared open by Ahmed Orabi Pasha in 1906. In 1911 the school was upgraded as a Secondary School and in 1913 the college was re-named Muslim Zahira College – And Mr. O. E. Martinus, BA was appointed as its first Principal. After 30 years in existence the college management was handed over to Tuan Borah Jayah who was considered to be the man to turn around the quality of education and standards of the college to a higher level.

Conversion as a Government School
With effect from 21st August 1961 the school was taken over by the Hon Minister of Education and Broadcasting for Director-Management for alleged contravention of section 6(1) of Act 5 of 1960 Mr. A. M. A. Azeez was appointed Honorary Principal of Zahira College under government management. This was followed by the Vesting of Zahira College premises etc in the crown as from 20th December, 1961 and Zahira College the once proud possession of the Muslim community became just another government school. Mr. A. M. A. Azeez the successor to Mr Jayah thereafter resigned.

Revert Back as a Private School
The Management and the subsequent vesting of the College premises led to continued and persistent agitation by the Muslim Community against the government. This was organised by the Zahira College Old Boys Association led by Mr. A. C. M. Ameer, its President. The protest meetings were held at the Maradana Mosque grounds, Beruwela, Mawanella, Gampola, Kurunegala and several other places.

Encouraged by the support extended by the Muslim community and particularly the OBA, the Maradana Mosque committee appealed to the Supreme Court on 14th December, 1961 to have the Order of the Minister dated 21st August, 1961 subdued. The case was argued in the Supreme Court on 22nd March, 1962 and on the 3rd of September, 1963 (after a question in Parliament regarding the delay), the application of the Maradana Mosque was dismissed by the court. The Mosque committee thereafter appealed against the order of the Supreme Court to the privy council which heard the appeal on 19th January, 1966. The Privy Council allowed the appeal and set aside the Order of the Supreme Court. The Ministers order taking over Zahira College on 21 August 1961 was thereby subdued.

=College Song=

College Song Transliteration
Yaa Rabbal Aalami Val Kawni Yaa Rabbal Aalami Val Kawni Li Hayaathil Ilmi Vaddeenee Li Hayaathil Ilmi Vaddeenee

Haiyaka Alaa Kullid Dahri Liru Joo Ill Madrasathiz Zahira

Haiyaka Alaa Kullid Dahri Liru Joo Ill Madrasathiz Zahira

Haazaa Hamdullake Ya Allah Annashkura Fee Kaulil Aa'laa

Haazaa Hamdullake Ya Allah Annashkura Fee Kaulil Aa'laa

Sala Vaa Thullahi Va Thasleemoo Li Seyyidina Khairil Basharee

Sala Vaa Thullahi Va Thasleemoo Li Seyyidina Khairil Basharee

Synopsis
O! Lord of the World and the Universe, We pray throughout our life and ask that you gift us with Knowledge and Piety, Zahira College seeks your blessing to flourish throughout time, We praise and thank Thee O! Lord for all that you grant us, And we thank Thee also for your blessings upon our Prophet, the Exalted One among Mankind. =Headmasters=
 * Wappitchi Marikar
 * Proctor Mr. N. H. M. Abdul Cader
 * Mr. A. S. Abdul Cader

=Principals= =Notable Alumni=
 * Mr. O. E. Martinus 1913 - 1914
 * Mr. J. C. McHeyzer 1914 - 1920
 * Mr. T. B. Jayah 1921 - 1947
 * Mr. A. M. A. Azeez 1948 - 1961
 * Mr. I. L. M. Mashoor 1961 - 1965
 * Mr. M. F. M. H. Fakhir 1965 - 1966
 * Mr. S. L. M. Shafie Marikar 1967 -1982
 * Mr. R. I. T. Alles (Director of Studies) 1983 - 1985
 * Mr. Saheed M. Irshad 1986 - 1987
 * Mr. T. D. Hannan 1988
 * Mr. A. Z. Omardeen 1989
 * Mr. A. M. Sameem 1990 - 1991
 * Mr. A. Javid Yusuf 1992 - 1994
 * Deshabandu Prof. M. T. A. Furkhan 1995 - 1997
 * Dr. I. A. Ismail 1998
 * Mr. S. A. R. M. Farook 1999
 * Dr. M. Uvais Ahamed 2001 - Till date
 * A. C. M. Ameer
 * Sam Macan Markar
 * Deshabandu Prof. M. T. A. Furkhan (Chairman Confifi Group former president CIMA, Sri Lanka)
 * M M Zuhair Ambassador to Islamic Republic of Iran
 * Justice Saleem Marsoof, Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
 * AGA Barrie, Engineer
 * Fouzul Hameed (Founder Chairman, Hameedias)
 * MT Ifthikar Ahamed (Chairman and MD, Allied Trading International Pvt Ltd)

=References= http://www.azzahira.com/azzahira.html