A busy year for AMU alumni in Qatar
Despite the pandemic that brought the globe to a standstill, the AMUAAQ held several activities this year to make AMU’s Centenary Year a memorable one
FOR the alumni of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Qatar, and all across the globe, the centennial celebrations of the university this year are very, very special as their alma mater crosses a historical milestone.
The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) is seen as one of the most active AMU alumni associations in the Gulf region. Established in the year 2003 by some senior alumni of AMU residing in Qatar, members of this body share a common vision and mission, values and traditions. The prime objective is to serve the educational, social, literary, and cultural needs of the community.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that brought the globe to a near standstill, the AMUAAQ was able to organise a slew of activities this year, with an aim to making the AMU’s Centenary Year a memorable one. The association hosted several online competitions on a range of topics including ‘Awareness relating to COVID-19’, ‘International Quiz on Kahoot’, etc.
The alumni association also organised numerous interactions with academicians and intellectuals over the Zoom platform, including one with Ms Arfa Khanum
Sherwani, an award-winning journalist and a senior editor with The Wire website.
In order to discuss and plan AMUAAQ’s activities during the COVID-19 lockdown, a ‘Walk Jog’ initiative was launched where all functionaries of the association used to meet in park every Friday morning while strictly maintaining the required social distancing norms and other COVID-19 protocols.
Furthermore, various charitable activities were undertaken this year to support the needy sections of the society. However, several planned activities like medical and blood donation camps, beach cleaning, etc. had to be put off due to the COVID-19 restrictions. These activities have now been slated for the next year.
Meanwhile, congratulating the alumni upon the completion of 100 years of the AMU, Dr. MS Bukhari, chief patron of AMUAAQ, said, “The AMUAAQ is committed to providing educational and financial assistance to needy and deserving students. The charitable activities of AMUAAQ aim to benefit needy people irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality.”
Talking about the significance of the centenary year for the AMU alumni, Dr Syed Jaffery, president of AMUAAQ, said, “Education is a huge enterprise that touches everyone’s lives. What we are celebrating is a rich history of ideas and discoveries that shaped modern education. Our centennial gives us an opportunity to shine a light on this extraordinary past while also mulling over what the future holds.”
Dr Jaffery, who works at the Ministry of Public Health (Qatar National Diabetes Strategy), added, “To me, it is about the cohesion and team spirit that was inculcated during our stay and learning at AMU. However, it also marks the endearment of the traditions of our alma mater.”
Talking about the activities of the AMU alumni in Qatar, Zeyaul Haque, general secretary of AMUAAQ, said, “AMUAAQ is working towards advancing modern education in the Indian society. But there is a lot more that needs to be done.”