History Of Gampola Zahira College

 The Japanese bombed Colombo in year 1942 and there was pandemonium everywhere. All work came to standstill. All school were closed and people started runing away from Colombo seeking safer heavers. The Muslim business fraternity sougth refuge in central hill country.

 Zahira College Colombo was the prime Muslim institution in existenes where religious ediucation was imparted. The Muslim parents who sought refuge in hill country were indilemma as at the period there was no Muslim School in the central province where religious Knowledge was imparted. But as has often been pointed out as education... Religious Knowledge is not worth being. It might  be objected that there are already good schools in existence, under the control of other denominations to which our Muslim boys and girls may have recourse..The promlem was to evolve a system of education which would be in harmony with the traditions of our religion and at the same time respond to modern conditions and meet morden needs. It is alos admittedly necessary for the Muslims to have their own  seat of learning so that they may contribute to the Islamic cultuer and play a worthy part as woethy of the land.

Late Hon. T.B Jayah communicate with Mr. M. S. Seyed Mohamed the main trustee of Gampola town masjidh and Late Mr. M. S. N. Omer Batcha J.P to open a branch of Zahira in Gampola. resulet of their talks Zahira College Gampola come in to the 15th May 1942 with six casses built a row half walls and cad jan roof. The College was run By he late Hon. T. B Jayah along with the tow trustees of the Gampola Musjidh.


 The first Vice principal was professor Seyed Rauf pasha who was transferred from Colombo Zahira  along with Maulavi Y. M Haneef Nadavi to teach Arabic and Mr. Kanagasabapathy Pillai to teach Tamil.Mr.Meera Saibo a trained thecher was added to the staff. Professor Rauf Batcha on weekeends used to take a few senior students and go round village canvassing new students and the student population increased.M/s B. J. H.


 Zahira stared as a private managed school with humble beginings and with students in creasing more classroom with permanent buildings were needed. It wadthe constant opinion of the managing committee that a permanent managing body should be formed to assist and collect founds to put up permanent building to run the college. Then on 10th March 1946 a general meeting was held at Zahira Gampola with the Late Mr. M. A.S Marikkar Persiding.


 The Society went into action with immediate effort, Tate Mr.K. N. S. Dawood promised and put up the present day Dawood Block with number of Classrooms. Aid promised by the late Hajee N. D. H Abdul Caffor and Late S. Mohamde Macan Marikar to construct a science block, was received and executed to add strength to the exising staff. Mr. B. Mahmood Enlisted the sences of a few enthusiastic volunteers Viz. A. L. M. Hashim Barrister at law late Justice Abdul Cader, M. Sultan to to teach special subjects and instil discipline in the College.


 TheGreat impetus was given to sports, games. literary and athletic activites. the students excelled in all activities and thus Gampola Zahira College Blossomed and Vision Become a reality and a vacuum in the Muslim community was filled.

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