Gampola Zahira College
College history
A land extent of 8.5 acres (34,000 m2) in Gampola was bought under the guidance of the late T. B. Jaya and a small thatched roof hut was built to resurrect the education of children of Muslim parents. This became Zahira College, Gampola on 15 May 1942 with 185 students and only 4 teachers. Mr. Rauff Pasha was the first vice principal of the school. However, after the end of the war the students from Colombo went back and the number of the students at the school fell to 67.
It was at this crucial moment that the late Alhaj Badiuddeen was appointed as vice principal of the school. Being appointed as principal of the school in 1945, he laid the foundation for the full-fledged educational institution which is Zahira College, Gampola today. During his tenure of 16 years which was the golden era of the school, he dedicated his life to the uplifting of the school. When he became the Education Minister in 1970, he continued his service to the education of children of Muslim parents by taking the necessary steps to improve the educational standards of the school to that of any other reputed school in the country.
The upgrades with his kind support as Education Minister included increasing the land extent of the school to 26 acres (110,000 m2) and building of 26 buildings including a three storied building, auditorium, dental clinic, Advance Level (A/L) science and home science laboratories and a Muslim cultural center. Thus the legend of Zahira College, Gampola continued with 19 principals contributing their service to the growth of the school.
Being a mixed school, the school has given the opportunity for students to study in any of the three official languages. At present there are around 94 classes from grade 1 to A/L's with around 3200 students doing their studies.
The school was promoted to the level of a national school on the 19 February 1988. Zahira College, Gampola which has proved its prowess in educational and extra curricular activities has placed a fine example on how to promote harmony among different nationalities in the country by respecting the cultural differences of each other as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious school.
The school has produced many intellectuals and reputed politicians who are vital to the development of any country. The reputation of this outstanding school has now spread all over the country being evident in the fact that many students and parents from all over the country now select this school as their path to a bright future.
[edit] College hymn
With all my heart, with all my soul, I love, I adore the only God, Allah is sole and only Lord, Him I worship, Him I adore
Creation shows his wonder signs, A blade of grass his wonder mind Allah is sole and only Lord, Him I worshop, Him I adore
To him my prayers I daily make, To win his favours daily toil, To know his mind I read his book, Follow his Prophet to mend my ways
So bless me daily, Lord of all, Bless one and all assembled here, LA-I-LA-HA-ILL-LALLAH MUHAMUDU_RASU_LULLAH
[edit] College anthem
Zahira our Alma Mater true
Your alumni flock to you
School where we learn Integrity
Freedom, Truth & Purtty
Islam has from age to age
Given us alla proud heritage
A way of life, so grand and free
Foundation of liberty
Arts and Sciences in days of yore
Freely flowed from shore to shore
From Andalus to Hind and Chin
As it had never before been seen
Awake 'Arise' oh Zahirians bold
Draw inspiration, Young and Old,
Impart knowledge to all Mankind
Teach them arts of every kind
In Gampola Zahira's lofty banner
Green Gold and Maroon from a Fine Tricolour
Our earnest aspiration
Will make Lanka a great Nation
Proclaim with inspiration
The Brotherhood of man is God's great Scheme
"Through Faith and Knowledge seek Salvation"
This is our 'Motto' this is our Dream
