Al-Ma’moun Madrasa

Al-Maamoun High School in Aleppo—formerly known as The First Preparatory School (Madrassat al-Tajhiz al-Ula)—is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Syria. It was established in 1892 by order of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and is located in the Jamilieh district, a modern urban extension of Aleppo beyond its ancient walls. Since its foundation, the school has played a pivotal role in the city’s cultural and political life, witnessing key transformations in Aleppo’s modern history.

The school began under the name “al-Maktab al-I’dadi” (Preparatory School), and in 1912 it became “al-Maktab al-Sultani” (Imperial School), before being renamed “Madrassat al-Tajhiz” (The Preparation School) in 1920. In 1947, it adopted its current name—Al-Maamoun High School—in tribute to the Abbasid Caliph Al-Ma’mun, a historical figure celebrated for his patronage of science and culture in the Islamic Golden Age.

The school building features a unique architectural style that blends Ottoman design with local Syrian elements. It was designed in the shape of the Latin letter “E” by a French architect and constructed using stone, lime, and iron. A distinctive iron gate, bearing the seal of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, adorns its entrance. The building houses 30 classrooms, accommodating around 2,000 students, along with modern science laboratories, a library containing over 4,000 books, and sports facilities for football and handball, in addition to areas dedicated to student activities.

During the French Mandate period, the school became a center of nationalist activism, with students organizing protests and demonstrations against colonial authorities. This earned the school a lasting legacy as a symbol of civic awareness and peaceful resistance, deeply embedded in the collective memory of Aleppo’s residents.

Throughout its history, Al-Maamoun High School has nurtured many influential figures in Syrian cultural and intellectual life. Among its notable alumni are:

– Dr. Abdul-Salam Al-Ujeili – physician, writer, and politician
– Salah Dinehni – pioneering filmmaker
– Muhammad Nadim Fadel – renowned linguist
– Suleiman Al-Issa – celebrated poet and first editor-in-chief of the school’s student magazine, which was launched in 1950