Sir Syed Day 2021: Aligs mark the 204th birth anniversary of its founder in the UAE

Sharjah: In 2021, once again with utmost zeal and reverence, Aligarh Muslim University Alumni – UAE celebrated the birth anniversary of the university’s founder, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. After two years of the gap caused by the pandemic, on 10 December 2021, more than 400 alumni assembled at Coral Beach Resort (Sharjah) to commemorate Sir Syed’s services to society. Brigadier Syed Ahmad Ali made his presence as the Chief Guest of the event and H.E. Mohammed Saeed Ali Kindi was the Guest of Honour over there.

Every year, Aligs (alumni of AMU) around the world, observe this special day with sublime pride and reverence. But, amidst the pandemic, the programme was cancelled in 2019 and 2020. Now, as things are getting normal after a massive vaccination drive in the region, alumni of the university celebrated the 204^th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan following SOPs and guidelines.

During the keynote address, Brigadier Syed Ahmad Ali, said, “There is a strong connection between the UAE and AMU; the UAE royals have visited AMU several times in the past and they appreciated the university’s imperative role in producing quality talent across all academic and cultural fields. Way back in 1975, the first President and Founder of the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, visited the university and offered an impressive grant of USD 200000 for setting up the Department of Petroleum Studies. And, in the late 1990s, Obaid Bin Saif Al Nasseri, the then Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the UAE, visited AMU to receive D. Lit. Degree (Honoris Causa).”

S.M. Qutbur Rahman, an alumnus of AMU and Dubai-based businessman and philanthropist emphasised upon helping young entrepreneurs, he said, “The fraternity should introduce some incubation centres and accelerator programmes for aspiring entrepreneurs from AMU, not only in the UAE but across the world. Aligs have a unique sense of business which should be supported and nurtured by their seniors.”   

Speaking on Sir Syed’s educational mission, Mr Qamar Sherwani, event management professional living in the UAE for more than 15 years, said, “Sir Syed is known as the undisputed leader of the educational renaissance in the Muslim World, which began with the foundation of AMU in the late 19^th century. His vision for modern education and social reform is emulated worldwide not only by Islamic Nations but even by the seers of the Western World.”

“Sir Syed’s unique approach of human transfiguration is a fine balance between scientific mindset and character-building that gradually becomes a benchmark in the modern system of education. From Engineering to Astronomy and Business to Sports, former students of AMU have proven their mettle in almost every progressive field around the world,” Sherwani further added.

Eng. Ateeq Khan, an alumnus of AMU in the UAE expressed his feelings for the alma mater and Sir Syed in the following words, “Though the core purpose of establishing AMU was the socioeconomic development of Muslims in the region, Sir Syed’s urge to help humanity was all-encompassing. That’s why right from its inception, AMU equally benefited the people of all faiths, religions, and origins. Today, there will be hardly any progressive society on earth where Aligs are unnoticed, and the UAE is no exception.”