Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's 205th birth anniversary celebrated

The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (Amuaaq), an associate organisation of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) under the aegis of the Indian embassy, celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of the university founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan recently under the managing committee presided by Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani.Dr Syed Sabahat Azim, who is currently the CEO of Glocal Healthcare and a former IAS officer of Tripura cadre, besides being a medical graduate from AMU was the chief guest.Indian embassy first secretary Sachin Dinkar Shankpal, prominent community members Imtiaz Anwar Siddiqui, Dr Hasan Chougule, Sophia Bukhari, Rajesh V C, and ICBF president Vinod V Nair were the guests of honour. Shahabuddin Ahmad (chairman, Bazm e Sadaf), Sitwat Ali Siddiqi, Rahul (WWICS), Altaf Khan (Reyada), Rafat Jahan and Haque were special guests.In his address replete with anecdotes and quotes, Dr Azim, drew parallels between the challenges faced by the community and those that were prevalent at the time of Sir Syed and urged the audience to plan for the long term in a proactive manner like Sir Syed, utilising the opportunities thrown open by the digitalised world.Dr Jilani, in his welcome address, paid glowing tributes to Sir Syed and recalled how he travelled to England to study the British education system and established the MAO College on the pattern of universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He paid homage to the late Dr Mohammed Sabih Bukhari and the late Mohammed Habib un Nabi.Shankpal described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as one of the greatest educationists in the world. Shankpal recalled Amuaaq's achievements in education, community service and sports, and congratulated the alumni and also appreciated the association for their compassion, empathy and brotherhood.Siddiqui, who also is an alumnus of AMU, advised all Aligarians in Qatar to work together and commended Amuaaq leadership for celebrating Sir Syed Day in a unified manner during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Amuaaq patron Sophia Bukhari requested all AMU alumni to work towards the benefit of their alma mater and contribute more towards education. She also remembered her late husband, who was strongly associated with the organisation.Amuaaq chairman Jawed Ahmad gave an update on membership and alumni directory. Chougle urged all Aligarians in Qatar to come together to fulfill the association's mission towards community and alma mater. He mentioned that much more focus is required towards education. Prof Zaidi spoke about the vision and mission of Amuaaq, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and AMU.A performance by a group of children on the World Cup theme song 'Hayya Hayya,' a Kahoot quiz and an Urdu symposium were conducted and AMU doctors and community leaders felicitated for their support towards community.The international release of the book titled 'Syed Mahmood: Colonial India’s Dissenting Judge' was launched at the event. The book is authored by two young law academics, Mohammad Nasir and Samreen Ahmad.A mehfil e sukhan was presided by senior Urdu poet Ateeq Anzar while popular poet Janab Ahmad Ashfaque did the nizamat. Ashfaque Deshmukh, Dr Wasiul Haque Wasi and Dr Nadeem Jilani also presented their poems.Dr Jilani appreciated and thanked all members of managing and advisory committees of Amuaaq, especially chairman Jawed Ahmad, vice president Mohammad Faisal Naseem, general secretary Khan Farman Khan, ladies wing vice president Dr Ashna Nusrat, Dr Syed Intekhab Alam, Ghazala Yasmeen, Mamnoon Bangash, sports head Farrukh Farooqui, Mohammed Nayeem Aman, Abad Khan, Saima Rafat and Imaduddin Ahmad. The anchors were Dr Ashna and Mohammed Nayeem.Dr Jilani announced the excellence awards: Best parenting award 2022 - International Excellence Awards Educational Excellence & Exceptional Parenting - Abdurahiman Elikkottil, Shahina Rahiman (parents of Hafiz Rahman Elikkottil who scored 500/500, CBSE, Grade X exams). Sir Syed Award for Professional Excellence 2022 was presented to Prof Javaid Zaidi, advisor, Amuaaq, and a professor at Qatar University.Amuaaq Emerging RJ & Journalist Excellence Award was presented to Mohammed Sarwar Mirza, an alumnus of AMU, who works for 107 FM Urdu radio Qatar. Notable alumni of AMU in Qatar, excellence award was presented to Ahmad Azim Khan, Aftab Hussain and Ali Imran.Dr Ashna Nusrat and Almas Ahmad organised a quiz competition on Sir Syed’s life, mission, achievements, AMU and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The winner was Aquib, first runner up Amaan and second runner up Anees.Prof Javaid Zaidi, Nishat Ali Khan, Syed Shahabuddin, Ghufran Ali Khan, Ali Imran, Sarwar Mirza, Mohd. Alamgir, Rizwan Ahmad,Anjum, Shafqat Nabi, Mohammad Irfanullah, Lutfee Kakar, Junaid Nizam, Rashid Chisti, Dr Imtiyaz, Dr Sikandar, Dr Habiba Hina, Dr Mosharraf Shamim, Dr Mazhar Salim, Dr Munavvar Ansari, Dr S Jaffery, Dr Imran, Dr Syed Mohammed Hasan Rizvi, Dr Mazhar Salim Bustami, Dr Munavvar Ansari and other community leaders also attended the occasion.Finally, the national anthems of Qatar and India were played. The event culminated with a rendition of the university’s musical tarana (anthem),"Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman,main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ”.