The Executive Committee of AMUAAQ at the event.

By Umer Nangiana


The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (AMUAAQ) Qatar celebrated the 198th Birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a prominent scholar from Indian sub-continent, recently.
In a ceremony held on December 12 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sir Syed’s anniversary was celebrated with great spirit and enthusiasm. More than 150 members of AMU Alumni Association, well-wishers of AMU, and prominent dignitaries from Doha were present besides the President IBPN, President of DPS-MIS, Group Director of Radisson Blu, President AMUHQ, President Goa Association, President World Bihar Organization, school principals, and many top businessmen.
Tariq Anwar, Member Parliament and General Secretary of NCP-India, was the chief guest. The programme was held under the patronage of M S Bukhari, Chairman of AMUAAQ.  Dr Ibrahim Saleh al-Naimi, President Qatar Community College, and Mohd Habibun Nabi, Chief Patron AMUAA, were the guests of honour.
The programme was conducted by Aqueel Ahmad and he also delivered a speech on the life of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University.
Mahir Nadeem, President of AMU Association, shared his thoughts on Sir Syed’s contribution to the society, while Aqueel Ahmed delivered a speech on Sir Syed’s life, his mission and vision.
Others applauded Sir Syed’s vision for a modern education for society.
Bukhari, in his speech, said Sir Syed was a great reformer, who truly believed in educating and empowering the Muslim community and was successful to a great extent in implementing it despite strong opposition from a section of the Muslim community that hated the British and their language.
He added: “Today we can see the products of the Aligarh Muslim University excelling in every field of activities not only in India also in developed countries like USA, UK, Middle East.”
They have earned a name for the community and the country, he said, urging all present to play a role in bettering education in the society.  
Chief guest Tariq Anwar talked about the Aligarh movement and stated the benefits of education.
A short mushaira session (Urdu poetic session) followed, featuring renowned Qatar-based poets such as Nadeem Mahir, Aziz Nabil, Ahmad Ashfaq, Anwar Kareem and Amjad Ali Sarwar. The programme ended with the singing of the university’s famous anthem.