AMU alumni in Jubail demand Bharat Ratna for Sir Syed

Jeddah: Sir Syed Day, the annual get together event organized by the alumni of India’s premier educational institution Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), was held at Jubail’s SABIC beach camp.

The event was organized to pay tribute to and remember the contribution of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of AMU and one of the key architects of modern India.

Sir Syed was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the empowerment of the poor and backward Muslim community. The aim of Sir Syed was not merely restricted to establishing a college at Aligarh but at spreading a network of Muslim managed educational institutions throughout the country.

Thus, he instituted All India Muslim Educational Conference that revived the spirit of Muslims at national level. The Aligarh movement motivated the Muslims to help open a number of educational institutions. It was the first of its kind Muslim nongovernmental organization in India, which awakened the Muslims from their deep slumber and infused social and political sensibility into them.

AMU alumnus Zaif Ahmad Qaisar put forward the demand for a Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) for Sir Syed. His demand was backed by more than 300 alumni at the event.

Speaking as the chief guest, Iftekhar Alam, adviser and director at Al-Khodari, emphasized the need for all Muslims to keep a perfect balance between modern scientific education and strong Islamic values.

Senior and well-known alumnus Mukarram Ali Khan of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) was the guest of honor. He urged the alumni to revive Urdu language.

Syed Hameed, principal of International Indian School in Jubail, was felicitated for the national award he won on the Teacher’s Day from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. Vice Principal Naushad Ali was also felicitated for his contribution to the Indian community.

Tariq Saeed opened the event. Senior Aligarian Anis Bakhsh introduced the guests. Syed Baqar Naqvi conducted the event. Rizwanullah Khan delivered the vote of thanks.

Sayeed Malik Ahmad and Zubair Khan, who died in 2014, were also remembered for their contributions and were felicitated posthumously.

Zehra Siddiqui, Musaiyab Ali Mirza and Mohammed Aazim Khan, all toppers at Jubail school, were awarded trophies for achieving a CGPA of 10 at Class X examination while Ariba Abu Nasr was awarded for being a topper in Class XII with 94 percent marks.

Among those who attended the event were Jubail school Chairman Taher Mohiuddin, Shoaib Quraishi of KFUPM, well-known poet Saqib Jaunpuri, Aziz Siddiqui, Rahat Sultan, Toastmaster Kaleem Ahmad, prominent community member Syed Waheed Lateef, Asif Ali Siddiqui, Javed Ansari, Wais Quarni, Anwar Habeeb, Amjad Kamal, Abu Nasr, Naseemuddin, Navaid Khan, Imran Ahmed, Ikramullah Khan, Obaidurrahman, Masoodul Hasan, Qaiser Pasha, Nafees Ahmad, Jameel Khan, Nasimuddin Ansari, Mohammed Shibli Siddiqui, Mufeeduzzaman, Muzaffar Khan and Khalid Ausaf.