A.M.M. MUZAMMIL -COLOMBO : story of Zahira is something synonymous to the triumph of the human mind over all obstacles. In 1891, M.C. Siddhi Lebbe, one of the driving forces in the development of Muslim revivalism in Ceylon in the late nineteenth century, made an impassioned appeal to the Muslim community at the Maradana Masjid Hall and urged them to unite and uphold the educational advancement and achievements of the community.
The founding of the College came at a time when circumstances were positively hostile towards English education. Moreover, the Curriculum too was British-oriented and the local languages, culture and history were ignored.
A year later, in 1892, under the patronage of Ahamed Orabi Pasha, the Egyptian exile in Ceylon at that time, together with other protagonists, I.L.M. Abdul Aziz and A.M. Wappitchi Marikar, a long cherished dream of the visionary M.C. Siddhi Lebbe became a reality.
To provide a sound education in the English medium to Muslim children to seek knowledge, with shared visions, spirit and passion, the aforesaid Muslim pioneers in education felt the need for the creation of Al-Madrasathul Zahira which was founded in 1892 with 35 students on roll.
Years later, most importantly, the name Al-Madrasathul Zahira was changed into the present name “Zahira” which means “Excellence” in Arabic.
As one of the oldest schools in the country with a heritage of 130 years, its achievements have been numerous and multidimensional over the decades. Three phases can be attributed to the success of Zahira.
The first phase was the stabilization process, when Dr. T.B. Jayah assumed the post of Principal of the Zahira in 1921, the school population consisted of only 59 pupils and 6 teachers at that time. When he took over the Zahira, the conditions of the school were deplorable and it could be best described in Dr. Jayah’s own words – “The outlook was dismal – six teachers and fifty-nine boys, hardly any furniture worth the name, with a building just enough for a primary school used at night by loafers and undesirables.”
Over the next 27 years, until he retired in 1948, he developed and expanded the school, until it became one of the most prominent schools in the country. The number of students increased from 59 to over 1000. Even teachers were proportionally increased to provide a sound education.
In sports too, Zahira outshined other schools. In 1930, Zahira became the invincible rugby champions by defeating Royal (9-3), St. Peter’s (12-0) & Trinity (6-3) respectively. In the boxing arena, Zahira won the Stubbs Shield boxing for the first time in 1937.
During Dr.T.B. Jayah’s time, eminent and distinguished dignitaries were invited to address the students and the public at Zahira College’s iconic Gaffhoor Hall. A range of Indian Freedom movement leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahathma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu and Rajaji visited Zahira College and delivered orations.
In recognition of his outstanding service, the Government of Sri Lanka has honoured him with an issue of a postage stamp declaring him a National Hero and named a school and a street in Colombo as Dr. T.B. Jayah Road.
The second phase was the consolidation process which commenced during the Senator Azeez’s era from 1948 to 1961. He was the first Muslim civil servant in this country but he selflessly relinquished the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) to take over Zahira College, Colombo, in 1948 for the sake of the Muslim community.
As a visionary educationist, he realized that the community had remained too long culturally isolated and educationally backward and envisioned motivating the community to take interest in education in an Islamic environment.
The number of students rose from 1400 to 2000 and Zahira became an all-community national school catering not only to Muslims, but also to Sinhalese, Tamils and South Indian residents. As a visionary educationist, Senator A.M.A. Azeez espoused multilingualism as a means of unifying the country and Zahira became the “Radiating Centre of Muslim Thought and Activity.
During Senator Azeez’s tenure as principal, one of the academically spectacular achievements was more than 150 Zahirians (Medicine 26 & Engineering 23) entered the University of Ceylon. The Zahirians who entered the University in the late 1950s and early 1960s did not confine themselves only to intellectual pursuits. They equally excelled in sports as well.
In 1958, Zahira become Soccer champions among all schools. It is a legacy which Zahira consistently continued to be a champion in soccer for several years in succession.
For 13 long years, till his premature retirement, Senator A.M.A. Azeez resolutely worked hard and shaped the destiny of Zahira College. His intellectual legacy has stood the test of time. In veneration, he was appointed as a Senator in 1952 and was bestowed with the title of Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Unfortunately, Zahira went through a painful process for a few years. The vesting of Zahira College by the government in 1961 was a traumatic event as the College became just another government school and thereafter Senator A.M.A. Azeez resigned forthwith.
Had it not been for the prudent initiative of the Zahira College Old Boys’ Association, under the able leadership of the then President late A.C.M. Ameer (QC), Zahira would have been another state-managed government school with a bleak future.
They were resilient in the pursuit to have the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka decision in 1961, quashed. They did not hesitate to take the legal battle even up to the Privy Council (UK) where they finally, emerged victorious.
Thereafter Mr. Shafie Marikar reigned as the Principal for 16 years (1967 to 1982), ensuring the continuity and devoted his life to uplifting the educational standard of Zahira. After his retirement, there were over a dozen principals including the late R.I.T. Alles and Prof. Furkhan who effectively managed the administration of the College.
The third phase is the transformation and reaching the pinnacle of progress. Under the charismatic leadership of Mr. M. Fouzul Hameed who took over as Chairman of the Board of Governors in 2006, a well-coordinated and systematically programme to improve the infrastructure development, as well as upliftment of the standards of education, sports and extracurricular activities within the Islamic environment of the College, has been methodically executed with commendable success.
Looking back at the long march of 130 years of Zahira College, we are proud that the visions and aspirations of the Founders were not in vain. We have rediscovered an emergence of an educational renaissance at Zahira.
Now we have a strength of over 5500 students studying in all three media with a staff strength of nearly 300. Academic excellence is ascending in the last 10 years or so. Master Mohammad Ammar attended the grade 5 scholarship examination in Sinhala medium and scored 200 out of 200 on the Grade Five Scholarship exam. GCE (O/L) pass rate is above 80% with a relatively higher number of 9 A achievers whilst GCE (A/L) result is above 70% with a higher number of students with University Eligibility Z-Score figures.
Impressive achievements too are made in the fields of sports and athletics. Over 1000 students are actively involved with various disciplines. A state-of-the-art Sports Complex, an ambitious project has been envisaged and already construction has begun to build a modern sports complex with facilities for indoor and outdoor sports as well as an ultra-modern fitness center under one roof within the College premises under the guidance of the Board of Governors and Old Boys’ Association. Upon completion, the Sports Complex will be a jewel in the crown of Zahira and we will be at on par with other elite schools.
Over the years the College has excelled in the academic sphere as well as in co-curricular activities and produced many intellectuals and prominent personalities who have served the community and the country.
The principal, Triizvy Marikkar, has taken a keen interest to improve the standard of education at all levels and striving hard to make Zahira one of the best-ranked schools on the island.
It is a welcome sign to see Zahira position herself to take giant strides in the field of education and sports, and once again recreate the pristine glory of the “Golden era” in pursuit of academic excellence.
