— Khurram Amin      khurra's photography

Historical institution battles march of time

Once a centre of educational excellence,129-year-old Islamia High School is struggling to save its land from encroachers
Published May 10, 2015
This entrance leads to the offices of the administration and the school backyard. Once, this main entrance led to vast lawns at the back which have now been encroached upon and reduced in size.
This entrance leads to the offices of the administration and the school backyard. Once, this main entrance led to vast lawns at the back which have now been encroached upon and reduced in size.

Once a centre of educational excellence and a symbol of unity for the Muslims of the garrison city, the 129 years old Islamia High School on Murree Road opposite Liaquat Bagh, is struggling to save its land from encroachers and rebuild its reputation as an institution with outstanding educational standards.

In 1885, the Muslim community of Rawalpindi began to feel the need for an educational institution where Arabic and Islamic Studies could be taught to Muslim students.

Members of various Muslim sects joined hands to establish an educational institution for the Muslims of the city. Saith Mamoon Jee from the Bohra community, donated 42 kanals for the school building, and donations were collected for the construction of the school.

A long veranda outside the classrooms.
A long veranda outside the classrooms.

An old teacher at the school, Ijaz Khokhar, told Dawn that a donation box was placed at the Bari Imam shrine which was visited by Muslims from all over the Indian Subcontinent.

In 1886, classes began at the school. In 1934, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah visited the school and held a public meeting in the grounds of the Government Islamia High School, opposite the Liaquat Bagh on Murree Road. Fatima Jinnah and Begum Raana Liaquat Ali also frequently visited the school.

A vintage notice board hangs outside the principal’s office.
A vintage notice board hangs outside the principal’s office.

The school continued to be known as an eminent educational institution and the students who graduated from this school went on to become respected politicians, judges, army and civilian officers, doctors and engineers.

However, over the last 30 years, the historical institution has fallen into insignificance and lost much of its land to encroachers.

Arched verandas of the school building constructed from red bricks, in the typical Anglo-Indian style of the time. Today, cracks have appeared in this part of the building.
Arched verandas of the school building constructed from red bricks, in the typical Anglo-Indian style of the time. Today, cracks have appeared in this part of the building.

The school building is in bad shape with one part of the roof collapsed and cracks in the walls of the main building where over 700 students attend classes each day.

Some years ago, former MNA Malik Shakil Awan managed to bring some fund from the Punjab government and had one new block constructed on the premises. However, it is not enough to accommodate the ever-growing number of students at the school.

This classroom has been locked for the last six years after a part of the roof collapsed and the building was declared dangerous. Despite repeated requests from the school, the building has not been repaired by the government.
This classroom has been locked for the last six years after a part of the roof collapsed and the building was declared dangerous. Despite repeated requests from the school, the building has not been repaired by the government.

“The 42 kanals of school’s land were reduced to 16 kanals over the years. The land adjacent to the mosque affiliated with the school was also encroached upon as it is prime real estate on main Murree Road. We approached the courts but the case is still pending decision,” the principal of the school, Imran Qureshi, said.

A picture of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah hangs in one of the classrooms which are currently in use. Jinnah was one of the many prominent visitors to the school.
A picture of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah hangs in one of the classrooms which are currently in use. Jinnah was one of the many prominent visitors to the school.
This cast-iron bell has been hanging here for the last 130 years and is still in use.— Photos by Khurram Amin
This cast-iron bell has been hanging here for the last 130 years and is still in use.— Photos by Khurram Amin

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2015

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