Sir Syed bicentenary celebration organized by AMOUBA - Kuwait

Sir Syed’s birth anniversary (October 17th, 1817) in the Aligarh community is more popularly known as the ‘Sir Syed Day’. He established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh in 1877, which later become the University in the year 1920. Taking it as an opportunity, the AMOUBA - Kuwait celebrated the Bicentenary of Sir Syed, by discussing the great works done by him and the scope of widening the mission and vision of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, as he would have wanted it to be, on 2nd November 2017 at Hilton Kuwait.

Distinguished invited speakers devoted their talks with great enthusiasm. The list of speakers on this occasion included persons associated with Aligarh Muslim University like Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice- Chancellor Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and the Special Guest Dr Yusuf Syed Hassan Zalzala, Professor at Faculty of Statistics Kuwait University and Former Minister Commerce and industry Kuwait. There was galaxy of other distinguished members of public life, academicians, and administrators, social activists from India and Kuwait who actively participated in this function. To name a few, Khalid Hamdan Al-Saif, Deputy Chairman and CEO NAPESCO, Mirza Umair Beg, Senior Scientist, KISR, Aijaz Ahmed Sarfraz MDSahara Air-conditioned, Syed Mohammad Ashraf, Manager Contract Arabi Enertech, Abdullah Thakur, CEO Al-Dhow Capital Holding, M Malik- MD Al-Khulaib International.

The program started with Tilawate- Quran and National Anthem of India and Kuwait followed by presenting of Bouquet to the Chief Guests Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice- Chancellor Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and the Special Guest Dr Yusuf Syed Hassan Zalzala, Professor at Faculty of Statistics Kuwait University and Former Minister Commerce and industry Kuwait, as a token of love and respect. Program Convener, Kashif Syed. Welcome address Khurram Saeed, The President of AMOUBA briefly highlighted the works and achievements of AMOUBA. He emphasized on the fact that we need to take Sir Syed’s mission forward by concentrating on innovation, research, building knowledgebased AMOUBA aims and objectives and taking the reputation of the country to new heights. He also discussed active participation of AMOUBA towards Muslim education and helping students from weaker sections of our community to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams, besides completion of AMOUBA project of adopting school in Aligarh.

Session started with the speech of Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor AMU. Dr Yusuf Syed Hassan Zalzala delivered a remarkable address dealing with the special features of the character and contributions of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan towards modern education. In his address he highlighted the importance of modern education and the need of more universities like Aligarh Muslim University for educational and cultural development of any nation. He talked about the works of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan which brought the Aligarh Muslim University into existence. He expressed the serious concern of the scientists, engineers and all well-wisher of our nation on dwindling standard of higher education of Muslims. He congratulated that AMOUBA- Kuwait alumnus as well.

The second session culminated into a Prize Giving Ceremony in which some meritorious Children of Alumni and other winners in competitions organized by AMOUBA Kuwait who have secured very high positions in various events . The Prizes were given out by Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor AMU. This was followed by the much-awaited program of the night- the musical event. The performance was given by great musician Johny Foster- the voice of AMU Tarana. Johnny Foster and his team started off by reciting of his self-composed Nazm on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Ghazals of various poets. As per the tradition followed in all the functions of the Aligarh Muslim University, the AMOUBAKuwait Bicentenary Celebration of Sir Syed ended with AMU Tarana followed by the National Anthem. AMU Tarana is considered one of the best anthems written for any educational institution. Aslam Parvaiz, VicePresident AMOUBA thanks the guest. The guests then proceeded towards the dinner.