Prominent Senior educators (Ulamas) gathered and established “Nathwathul Ulama Council” on 15.10.1949.
On 14.05.1950 “Buhari Majlis” was started for the revenue of the Council.
With the proceeds from the Buhari Majlis, Nathwathul Ulama Arabic College was established on 27.05.1956 with 5 students and a teacher in a small building belonging to Muthur Grand Mosque on Knox Road, Muthur.
The accommodation and food needs of the students were fulfilled with the co-operation of the people, when the students from out of Muthur were enrolled to study in this college.
In order to obtain the Moulavi Certificate with government recognition the college was recorded in Department of Education with G.T.B. 3733 on 01.08.1959
The first graduation ceremony of the college was held in 1963. From that day till today (2019) 378 ulamas have graduated.
When the number of students enrolling to the college increased, due to the lack of space, the administration made a concerted effort to relocate the college. As a result, 80-acre plot of land in a field called Muthur Veli, owned by MRS.Salha Beevi Yoosu, was made a waqf to the college.
Construction work was carried out on the land. Thus, the foundation stone lying ceremony and the graduation ceremony of Moulavi were organized on 23.04.1966 at the new land.
Construction work on the new land continued. With the contribution of, founder of Jaamia Naleemiya, Al-Haj. M.I.M. Naleem Hajiyar, a building, with a prayer room and student hostel, was constructed under the name of ‘Naleem Hajiyar Mandapam’, with the contribution of Kaffar Saththar, a building called Kaffar Saththar Mandapam’ and with the cooperation of the people of Muthur, a building was constructed for the hostel called ‘Makkal Mandapam’.
After all the construction works were completed, all the activities of the Nathwa Council were transferred to the new building on 26.08.1973 and the Nathwatul Ulama Arabic College was relocated. Al-hamthulillah
Beginning of Al-Quran Memorization Section (Hiful Section) :
Another chapter in the history of the college was created by the great help of Allah Under the guidance of Ash-Sheikh. VM. Faleel Alim, the Nathwatul Ulema Council started the Memorial Section of the Holy Quran on 08.10.1980 with 10 students in the prayer room of the late Naleem Hajiyar Hall. Ash-sheikh Aliyar Hazrat, Vice Principal, Jamiathul Falah Arabic College, Kathankudi was the special guest to inaugurate the class.
The late As-Sheik.VMM. Faleel was in charge of the Hifil Section and MM. Careem, the final year student, was given the responsibility of teaching the Hifil students and on 01.11.1981 Ash-Sheikh. MM.Careem (Nathwi) was appointed as the first teacher for this section. Thereafter, in order to appoint a Hifil teacher for this section, Ash-sheikh SM. Kalanthar Lebbai from Kaththankudi was appointed on 01.08.1985. as a Hifil teacher.
When the enrollment for the Hifil section increased annually, a separate small building was constructed for this section with the financial assistance of Al-Haj. ASA. Kareem and relocated to the new building on 03.06.1990. Thereafter Ash-Sheikh. MM. Careem (Nathwi) was appointed as an assistant teacher for the Islamic Sharia Section.
Indefinite leave was granted to the students on 13.10.1987 due to frightful circumstances prevailing in the country during the period of 1987 and reopened On 20.01.1988 at Muthur Grand Mosque under the supervision of the Honorary Treasurer of the College Ash-sheikh V.M. Faleel Alim. At this time 20 local students and three teachers, late Ash-sheik.MA.Thahir (NAthwi), Ash-Sheikh. MM.Careem (Nathwi) Ash-Sheikh. M.Abdul Rahman (Noori) were attended.
The impact of the severe violence in the country on 13.10.1987 was affected our village as well. When the council realized that it is impossible to take over the responsibility late Ash-Shiek. Sehu Neina Ahamathu Muhaitheen, who departed to Galle seeking refuge after giving holiday to the students, it appointed late Ash-Sheikh.Abdul Rahman (Noori), vice principal of the college, principal of the college on 01.06.1988. And Ash-Sheikh.M.M.Careem (Nathwi) was appointed as vice principal.
The classes started in Muthur Grand Mosque due to the war, reopened in the college premises on 04.08.1988 with the help of Allah.
Death of Ash-sheikh V.M. Faleel Alim and takeing his responsibility.
When Ash-sheikh. V.M.Faleel Alim, who is the backbone of the college, passed away by pursuit of almighty Allah on 18.09.1993, Nathwa executive council, received the forecasting and advice of Faleel Aalim, have appointed Ash-Sheikh.M.M.Careem (Nathwi) treasurer for the vacancy of Treasurer on 23.09.1993.
During this period following the resignation of Ah-Sheikh. M.Abdul Rahman (Noori) from the post of Principal on 28.05.1994 due to his continued illness, Nathwa executive council appointed Ash-Sheikh.M.M.Careem (Nathwi) Principal of the College who was the vice principal of the college.
Ash-Sheikh.M.M.Careem (Nathwi) who was in charge of the finance of Nathwathul Ulama Council and Principal of the College began to focus on the students’ curriculum and the physical resources of the college. Due to his selfless effort it could be created to prepare the curricula to face G.C.E.(O/L) and G.C.E.(A/L) Examination along with the Arabic syllabus and the formula to enroll the freshers to the college once a year.
The change in the academic field of the students caused a massive upsurge in the students’ achievements. As a result, four students who wrote G.C.E.(A/L) Examination in 1999, were selected for Southeastern University and also to foreign universities such as Al-Azhar University – Cairo, Egypt, Madinah Jamia Islamic University, Mecca Ummul-Qura University, Libya University and Sudan Islamic University. Similarly, the chances of getting selected for a college of education began to increase significantly every year
Following the revolutionary education change, a program was launched in 1994 to identify and address the need for a separate building for the students studying in the corridor, a separate building for worship and the bed for students sleeping on the ground floor. Because of this Hon.Al-Haj Najeeb A. Majeed (MP, Trincomalee District) allotted 107 beds and they were handed over to the college.
Another step in physical resource development was the allocation of funds for a two-storey classroom building for students during the Graduation Ceremony for Haafil Students held on 23.05.1999. The foundation stone for the basement was laid during the graduation ceremony for Moulavi held on 08.08.2000 as promised by late minister Hon.M.H.M.Ashraf , Minister of ports, shipping, and rehabilitation.
Realizing the need for a separate building for students to worship at this time, the principal met Abdul Kareem Seeha, ambassador of Saudi Arabia for Sri Lanka, with the help of Ash-Sheikh.MMA.Mubarak (Madani) and received the allocation for Masjid al-Jawhara. During the graduation ceremony held on 08.08.2000, the foundation stone was laid by Ash-Sheikh.MMA.Mubarak (Madani) and the mosque was opened by Ash-Sheikh.MMA.Mubarak (Madani) on 09.07.2001. (Due to insufficient building for Hifil students, the lessons for Hifil section are being conducted inside this mosque at present)
The building was completed with the allocation of the second floor of the student classroom by the Minister of Eastern Development Hon. Al-Haj Raouf Hakeem in 2003 and the allocation of the third floor by Hon. Al-Haj Rishad Badiyudeen in 2007 and the students were given the opportunity to learn.
Among the early founders in the administrative history of the Nathwatul Ulama Council was the late Ash-sheikh Mohamed Abdul Qader Abdul Jabbar who served as the General Secretary from 15.10.1949 to 08.05.1975 and following his death Ash-sheikh Mohamed Hanifa Mohamed Mahroof served from 05.09.1959. Due to his continuouse ill, on 19.06.2003 Ash-Sheikh. Seyyathu Ahamathu Nifaris was appointed as the new General Secretary and served until 03.03.2010. Following his death, Al-Hafil Ash-sheikh Mohamed Shareef Mohamed Saleeth (Nathwi) was appointed on 04.03.2010 and as a result of his resignation due to his need, Ash-sheikh A.W. Rishad has been appointed as the new General Secretary with effect from 01.01.2013.
Similarly, Ash-sheikh Mohammad Abdul Qadir Mohammad Salih, one of the early founders of the Nathwatul Ulama Council, presided from 15.10.1949 to 04.04.1963. Following his demise, Ash-sheikh Abdul Salam Abdul Wasih took presidency on 05.04.1963 and held the post till 01.02.1983. Then, Ashsheikh Seenikkandu Abdul Jabbar was appointed as the president on 15.02.1983 following the resignation of Ash-sheikh Abdul Salam Abdul Wasih from the post of president out of self-interest. During his period, he was on the side and was booming for the rise and growth of the college with Ash-sheikh MM.Careem (Nathwi) who served as the Principal of the College and the Treasurer of the Nathwathul Ulama Executive Council. Ash-sheikh Seenikkandu Abdul Jabbar passed away on the evening of 07.12.2015. Innalillahi vainna ilahi rajioon.
Following the death of the president, the ranks of the senior ulamas of the Nathwatul Ulama Council became intermittent. The Treasurer had to face the challenge to carryon Nathwatul Ulama council. He was, however, able to meet the challenge by filling in the administrative vacancies that had arisen from time to time by the students who taught them. However the council convened and consulted to fill the vacancy for the president. Holding several meetings no decision at once. The reason is how to hold the position of president. Everyone backed off as the experience was not enough. Ash-sheikh MM.Careem (Nathwi) Senior Member and Treasurer of the Nathwa Council, urged the members to think patiently and come to an appropriate decision. He gave two weeks to think of it.
When the Council reconvened two weeks later, and all the members of the of Council said, “we have unanimously decided that you should be the president and we have a will to act out under your guidence”, Treasurer of the Council and the principal advised “It is improper for one person to act as a President and a principal, as it was a matter of law”. As no one agreed to take up the matter, he resigned from his post of Treasurer and appointed Ash-sheikh Kachchu Mohamed Harees (Nadwi) to the post of treasurer with effect from 05.01.2016 and assumed the post of President with effect from 26.12.2015 and he has appointed two vice-presidents to guide them.
An administrative structure should be the basis for the proper presentation of His religion to the community by the great help of Allah. Thus the Natwathul Ulama Council has its structure and internal administrative divisions to function as a strong body. Its main divisions are the Education Development Division, the Financial Division, the Archive and many other groups.
Ash-sheikh MM.Careem (Nathwi), who has a huge responsibility to lead the education administration of the college and the administration of the Nathwathul Ulama Council at the same time, established the existing administrative office with his own funds and with the small help of another brother to alleviate the problem of not having a separate building for the administration of education and opened it on 05.04.2016. At the same time he streamlined the work of the administration felicitating the Doctors (Ph.Ds), Masters, Graduates and Diploma holders who learned from himself.
With the help of Allah, the Nathwathul Ulama Council has recruited two scholars (Ph.D) and several graduates in order to create many new changes in the field of education. Recreating the Nathwwathul Ulama – Ladies’ Unit in 2017, Students (female) who have passed the Ordinary Level are included in the 5 year curriculum. Similarly, from 2020 onwards the students (male) who passed the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination in 2019 have been included for the 7-year curriculum with many career guidance courses incorporated.
Insha Allah various programs have been initiated in the educational journey to transform this college into a university by 2030. It is seen as the culmination of the educational revolution of 1994. The college is considered to be the triumph of the unshakable Ihlas of its forefathers who started this college with a pure heart and for Allah for such progress and success. May Allah bless this situation to continue till the Day of Resurrection.
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