About Us
THE TREK THE JAMIA WALKED
A Historic Perspective
Atulugama is a picturesque village surrounded by prairies and paddy fields that is situated within the Bandaragama Pradesiya Saba in Kalutara District in the Western Province. There cannot be a single person who does not know about Atulugama who is even sparsely familiar with the noble work of Thabligh. Atulugama is a village that has Islamic awareness which can be witnessed in the lifestyle of the people here and this religious renaissance could be largely attributed to the Interrogational Thabligh Ijthima held here in 9, 10 & 11th of May 1983. Also it could be stated that the work of Thabligh is the foundation for the establishment of our institution.
Establishment
Late Haji Hafees, the founder of this institution, who is native of the village and who devoted his entire life for the work of Thabligh, had a dream. He wanted to establish a Madrasa in Atulugama that would impart Islamic knowledge not only for the locals but also for foreign students. He revealed his ambition to Ismail Hazrath of Akurana and it was decided that the foremost task is finding a scholar who would run the institution. In the meantime, with the resolve of starting the Madrasa as soon as possible, several applicants were interviewed in the Nooraniyya Madrasa in Matara by mid May of 1983. Eighteen applicants found eligible were made to stay in the Nooraniyya for a few days and later were brought to the Atulugama Jumma Masjid. However, the mosque was not equipped at all to function as a Madrasa at the time. We needed facilities like a spacious kitchen, teaching hall, dormitory to sleep the students not to mention academic and non-academic staff needed for such an institution such as teachers, caretakers, cooks etc. Yet people at the time led by Haji Hafis hurled them to a task placing the trust solely on Allah. And things such as buildings started to emerge later on gradually.
Ismail Hazrath, Haji Hafis and all the others concerned about the mission were hopeful that they would get a suitable scholar to lead the college. At this time one S. M. Haja Muhiyaddeen has successfully completed his Moulavi course in Thabligul Islam Madrasa in Sammanthurai and has just returned from Pakistan after completing subsequent higher studies of Dawrathul Hadis course. Moreover, Ash-Sheikh Haja Moulavi has spent one year in the Path of Allah on Thabligh work as well. When he was about to leave for his home, Ismail Hazrath approached him and tentatively asked Haja Moulavi if he is prepared t take the responsibility of the intended new Madrasa in Atulugama. Sheikh Haja was indecisive and said that he would think it over. Obviously he was reluctant to accept such a gigantic a task and ultimately agreed upon the relentless insistence of Ismail Hazrath. In fact, Sheikh Haja was practically dragged to Atulugama when he had come to Colombo to participate in a Mashoora in the Colombo Markez and he did not have the means to contact his parents and inform that he was going to Atulugama to take the deanship of an Arabic college. It is understandable since communication facilities were not so advanced in that time and his parents lived in remote place that did not have easily accessible telephone facilities. (It is an interesting story that his panic stricken old father came to Colombo to find out the traces of the son who had gone ‘missing’).
When at last a person to take the helm of the Madrasa was found, Atulugama Madrasa was officially declared opened on 16 May 1990 when the principal of Al Hashimiyya Arabic College in Nawalapitiya, Late Ash-Sheikh Mahroof Hazrath started teaching initial lessons for the class. Ash-Sheikh Haja served with impeccable dedication for 21 years as the principal was made the director of the Atulugama Madrasa in 2012 and Ash-Sheikh M. K. Abdur Rahman Bahji took over from there.
The name and name changes of the Madrasa
The name of the Madrasa functioning in the New Delhi Thabligh Markez Madrasa Kashiful Uloom was given at the beginning to the Atulugama Madrasa. Late it was changed to Dharul Uloom Kashifiyyah. After when it was shifted to the present new building it was named Jami’a Inamil Hasan after Hazrathjee Inamul Hasan (Rah).
The name and name changes of the Madrasa
The name of the Madrasa functioning in the New Delhi Thabligh Markez Madrasa Kashiful Uloom was given at the beginning to the Atulugama Madrasa. Late it was changed to Dharul Uloom Kashifiyyah. After when it was shifted to the present new building it was named Jami’a Inamil Hasan after Hazrathjee Inamul Hasan (Rah).
Commencement of Shari’a Section
Al Hafil M. S. Abdul Aleem of Kalutara was appointed Usthad of Hifl Section after 5 months of the commencement of the Madrasa with 18 students. Alhamdulillah, Shari’a Section was started some 7 months after the starting of the Madrasa with seven students with Moulavi Abdul Barik Hazrath appointed as the head of it. During around 1995, after about 4 years, the Madrasa started to feel accommodative difficulties as more started had joined the institution by then. Marhoom Haji Hafis started to seriously think about erecting a new and spacious building for the Madrasa.
Acquisition of a new land
The huge expanse where the Thabligh ljthima held was not being used for any useful purposes than youths playing there. Therefore, many thought it as a good place to build the new construction for the Madrasa. The land belonged to the Thabligh Markez and they too agreed to donate one acre from it for this purpose with ownership title. The actual transfer took place few years after the building was built on 19 Sept 1998. Later, an additional 80 perches were sold for a nominal price of Rs. 80,000.00.
The new building
During this time Al Haj Rushdi Uvais, the proprietor of Mackie Stores in Colombo visited Atulugama and agreed to build a comprehensive building for the Madrasa on his own. He was bequeathing the charity as a Sadakathul Jariyya for his son Fayaz, who had recently died in a road accident while he was in America for his studies. Accordingly, the new building was named Dharul Fayaz after deceased Fayaz Rushdi. The building was declared opened on the 8t day of Ramalaan that occurred on 2 August 1995. Honorable Alavi Moulana, the Governor of Western Province who is a close friend of Haji Rushdi participated as the chief guest in the opening ceremony in his then capacity of Telecommunication Minister. Ash-Sheikh A.J. Abdul Halik delivered the reflective key note speech. Heavy rain was pouring down during the ceremony but a large crowd had gathered to witness the event disregarding the hostile weather.
New building for additional classrooms
Due to the unending arrival of new students, the institution began to feel the space problem after few years. And it was decided that an additional building should be erected in the land in front of the main building. At this time, Late Mr. Shamil visited the Madrasa on an invitation made by Ash-Sheikh Jiffry. Mr. Shamil donated Rs.150,000 and instructed to lay the foundation and promised to give more next year as work progressed. Subsequently, the foundation was laid spending Rs. 800,000 for which several other generous people too contributed. When Mr. Shamil saw the work progressing he started to donate funds and by the grace of Allah a fine building was built soon. At last count, Mr. Shamil had given Rs. 7.5 million for the task. May Allah reward him amply along with Ash-Sheikh Jiffry. Significantly, Mr. Shamil has donated funds for over 80 such Madrasa buildings, mostly recommended by Ash-Sheikh Jiffry.
Mosque building of the Madrasa
A mosque had to be built for close to 200 students and about 25 Usthads to pray and also for the visiting people to the Madrasa and Haji Isfahan in Colombo donated monety to build a mosque to fulfill the above need. The mosque was opened on 2, September 2008 on the first Ifthar of the Month of Ramalaan that year. The mosque along with the road leading to it looks scenic even at this day with its excellent landscaping. Haji Isfahan later built a water tank for the mosque when the institution expressed the need. May Allah reward him abundantly in both worlds!
New Building for the library
Arguably, library is an important requisite for any educational institution. Presently, a new building is being built for this purpose. Haji Razvi of Eluwila helped to lay the foundation for this building along with some other fixtures for our new classrooms. May Allah grant His noble rewards to Haji Razvi.
Assets of the Jami’a
- Haji Yusuf, an Arab Muslim brother from Bahrain purchased a shop in Ingiriya and donated it to the Madrasa and the institution receives rent from this building. He also donated money for the extension works of classrooms.
- Haji Basheer of Atulugama bought a land of two acres in Viyangalla and bequeathed it for our Madrasa.
- Madrasa bought a land of one acre in Galpanuwa in Nikaweratiya for the income of the institution.
Enhancing the standard of the Madrasa
Our Madrasa was registered with the Religious Affairs Ministry during 1990 as a Primary Arabic College [PAC]. Upon observing the activities of the Madrasa and the assets belonging to the institution, the Ministry upgraded it to Arabic College [AC]. Moreover, Al Az’hari University in Cairo accepts our certificate of education as basic eligibility to consider granting admission in their great institution. Students who have completed their studies here could secure seat in most of the Al Az’hari faculties. Steps are being taken to register Jami’a with the Ministry of Higher education and Ministry of Social Services.
Administrative structure
Marhoom Haji Hafil had been the chairman of the institution until two months prior to his death. When his end was nearing he established a board of administration with about ten members including a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and an assistant treasurer. Since then, the responsibilities are rotated. The administration consists of a director, principal and a vice principal as well.
Victories and achievements of our students
Students of Jami’ya have participated in national and global Islamic religious events and competitions and have secured accolade including first places. Few are mentioned below:
- Our students secured 1″, 2d and 3″ places in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the competition organized by the Forum of Arabic Colleges of Sri Lanka for final year students in which students from over 220 Arabic colleges partake, Alhamdulillah.
- The student, who won the first price in the competition of Holy Qur’an Memorization organized by the Bari Arabic College in Weligama, got an opportunity to go for Umrah as well.
- Two more students won accolade in the Holy Qur’an Memorization Competition got an opportunity to go for Umrah.
- One of students who won the first price in the Holy Qur’an Memorization Compete ion was subsequently sent to represent Sri Lanka in a competition held in Iran.
Details of the past graduations
By the mercy of Allah, 12 Alims and 53 Hafils passed out during the first ever graduation of the Jami’a which took place pm 26, June 1999. Marhoom Niyas Moulavi participated as the chief guest in the event. With the graduation today, a total of 337 Alims and 500 Hafils have left the institution successfully completing their courses, Alhamdulillah.
