Aligarh Alumni Association Washington DC Holds Annual Iftar-Dinner Fundraiser
By Afzal Usmani
Pictures by Rafat Husain
The Aligarh Alumni Association Washington DC (AAA-DC) held its annual Ramzan Fundraising program on May 26, 2018, at the Senior Center of Rockville, Maryland.
More than 150 people representing various community organizations, including the University of Karachi Alumni Association of Greater Washington Area and the Hyderabad Association of Metropolitan Washington Area,attended the event. The program’s objective is well known: to carry forward the aims of the Aligarh Movement to bring a positive social change in the community through education. The Association has been fostering this cause since its inception in 1975.
Through the program, the AAA-DC has been helping meritorious and needy students. So far, over 2,800 students have benefitted at AMU through the AMU scholarship program since 1976. Besides, through the Feeder Program that was started in 2008, over 5,000 students have benefitted in other parts of India.
The proceedings began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Maryam Usmani and its translation by Ali Abdullah. The audience gave a big round of applause to the two youngsters. Next, the AAA-DC Secretary-Elect Mohib Ahmad welcomed the audience. HarisAzmi was the Master of Ceremony. Aftab Ansari (Chairman Scholarship Committee), RaziRaziuddin (In-charge of Feeder Program), and Mohsin Khan (Member, Scholarship Committee) apprised the audience ofthe status of their respective programs. The video presentation of personal accounts of the recipients and beneficiaries of various programs was very impressive. Guest-speaker SeharRaziuddin delivered an eloquent and thought-provoking speech. Sehar, who has been a regular volunteer for AAA-DC events since her childhood with her parents, DrsArati and RaziRaziuddin, emphasized thatthe reward is multifold if the religious obligation of fasting is coupled with sincere strivings for the cause of education. Chief Guest SuhailFarooqui, an entrepreneur and co-founder of So-Go Survey, gave an emotional and eloquent talk and appealed to the audience to do more for educational and humanitarian causes. Suhail’s family has a deep-rooted link with the AMU and has been involved in educational causes and social empowerment of the community.
Atiya Khan, a lifetime member and former office bearer of AAA-DC, who is well-recognized for her valuable contribution to the growth of HDF (Human Development Foundation working for improving the quality of life in less developed areas) made a strong appeal to support the great cause taken up by AAA DC. The Association collected $45,000 as donation. Shakila Raza, a veteran volunteer for the Association, thanked the donors, participants, and enthusiastic volunteers supporting a very important cause. President of the Association Rafat Husain coordinated the program effectively and it was very encouraging to see the active participation of the younger generation in the proceedings. Overall, it was a pleasant evening, and everyone went home with satisfaction.
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