Zahira College, Mawanella (also referred to as Mawanella Zahira) is a Muslim selective entry co-educational school in Mawanella, Sri Lanka. 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 currently the one of the largest Muslim educational institution 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 birth of the college was 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. V. Samuel from Mannar was appointed as the first teacher. On 23 March 1921, the school which was named Hinguloya Tamil Mixed School was registered as a Government School and the first student registered was Dr. A. T. M. A. Azeez. A. M. Abdul Rahman Marikkar and A. M. 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. In 1928, D. L. M. Haniffa was appointed as a Monitor Teacher to the school, and he started the S.S. C. Class in 1946. There were only four students in the class, one of whom was former 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 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 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.
The Principal who assumed duties in 1967, M. I. Haja Ameer, was a former teacher of this school and was responsible for starting the G. C. E A/L classes.
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, 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.