Oct 11 , 2015
News
Glowing tributes to Sir Syed – a great reformer, educationist
AMU’s association observes 198th birth anniversary of Sir Syed
APPKARACHI - With only two years left for Aligarhians to observe Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's 200th birth anniversary in 2017, glowing tributes were paid to great reformer and educationist on the occasion of his 198th birth anniversary.
The day was observed here under the auspices of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) which held a function in this regard at the campus of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET). Largely attended by Aligarhians and followers of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the function was held under the chairmanship of SSUET Vice Chancellor Mohammed Adil Usman and addressed by eminent speakers including scholars, writers, critics and intellectuals.
Noted writer, poet, and critic Professor Sehar Ansari, researcher and educationist Professor Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, columnist Professor Tahir Masood and Journalist Agha Masood Hussain were among those who expressed their views on the occasion.
They spoke at length on the life and achievements of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and his unmatched services and mission for the renaissance of the Muslims of the sub-continent which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam.
Addressing on the occasion Vice Chancellor Adil Usman described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as the proponent of a new culture in the sub-continent which helped the Muslims to come out of a quagmire. It was a difficult mission but Sir Syed through his devoted and missionary zeal made it possible, he said.
“He set the direction of the Muslim society which was indeed a tough work to do at that crucial time of the history,”he said.
The vice chancellor particularly referred to the construction of “Sir Syed Tower”, on AMUOBAs land opposite Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi and described it a great achievement. He said that the tower named after the great visionary, will be completed within the stipulated time thus materialising the dream of Aligarhians. He described the construction of 6-storey ZA Nizami new block at university as another achievement and it has been completed in a record time and as a result academic activities also started here. He also said that the credit of this success goes to all Aligarhians who deserve appreciation.
The vice chancellor made it clear that objective of Sir Syed Tower is not to get financial benefits but the revenue to be earned from this project will be spent for the promotion of education. He pointed out that SSUET has a very experienced faculty which made it an institution of international standard.
In his speech, Professor Sehar Ansari recalled his recent visit to USA and said that Sir Syed's mission was being vigorously promoted by Aligarhians living in North America and Canada which reflects that Sir Syed's movement is alive both in the East and the West. He called upon the new generation to follow the mission and footsteps of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan so as to face the ever changing conditions and challenges of the current world order and thus provide a hope for a new morning.
Ansari said that Sir Syed was bright minded personality who followed wisdom. He said that during his visit he informed the Aligarhians about the activities of AMUOBA, particularly the role of SSUET, construction of Sir Syed Tower and association’s magazine ‘Tehzib’ which was vigorously applauded in their meetings.
The eminent researcher and educationist Professor Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi described Sir Syed as an epoch-making figure who greatly influenced the generation after him. He particularly referred to his services in the field of science through the Scientific Society established by him and said its rays reached Europe.
He said that Sir Syed propagated national aspirations through his magazine "Tehzib-ul-Ikhlaq" and promoted two nation theory when Hindus called for making Hindi the national language and as a result whereof the MAO College and Aligarh Muslim University came into being.
Professor Tahir Masood said that Sir Syed brought the Muslims of South Asia from their downfall and it was because of him that dream of an independent land for Muslims could become true. He referred to allegations leveled against Sir Syed by his opponents and said that he was the one who exposed the imperialists through his magazine Tehzib-ul-Ikhlaq. He said that the institution he established produced people like Maulana Jauhar, Hasrat Mohani, Liaquat Ali Khan and scores of others.
Agha Masood Hussain said that the mission and thoughts propagated by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan were unmatched and it was through his sheer wisdom that he created awareness among the Muslims to take course to modern knowledge.
Earlier, Arham Mushtaq and ShahZeb Rehmani, two SSUET students delivered speeches in Urdu and English on the life and achievements of Sir Syed and drew great applause from the audience, while Editor Tehzib, paid poetic tributes to the great reformer.
The function culminated with vote of thanks proposed by AMUOBA General Secretary Masood Alam and singing of traditional "Tarana-e-Aligarh" by university students in unison with Aligarians.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk