By TCN News,
California: The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (AMUAA) of Northern California, in collaboration with Aligarh Education Endowment Fund (AEEF), celebrated Sir Syed Day with traditional zeal at the ICC auditorium here on 30th October 2010.
A number of AMU alumni as well as many other national and international personalities were present here to pay tribute to AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. On the occasion, speakers delivered speeches highlighting various aspects of Sir Syed’s mission and role of AMU in Muslims education.
Group Photo of Organizers and Visiting Poets
The program was formally started with an invocation by Suhail Farrukh followed by welcome speech by Afzal Usmani in which he gave a short description of Aligarh Movement and also elaborated on the activities of AMUAA.
Praising Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mr. Wolfe, President of Unity Productions Foundation (UPF), said: “For me he seems as a man who never stopped in his attempts to educate. Aligarh Muslim University and the philosophy of Sir Syed are a continuing inspiration for my work.”
Talking about the goal of his organization UPF he said: “UPF is working to bring East and West, Muslims and others into a productive dialogue. Our goal is to establish peace through the media. We believe that education is the surest road to peace.”
Audience
In her speech Dr. Talat Hasan threw light on the work that the Aligarh Education Endowment Fund (AEEF) has been involved with and urged AMU alumni to engage in community services. She also highlighted the five focus areas of the AEEF which included scholarships for the disadvantaged students, supporting young women, and coaching for candidates who want to appear in competitive exams.
On the occasion, a short video titled “Mahaaz” was also screened which showed students at an Aligarh Students/Alumni sponsored school learning to become productive members of society. The first session of the program ended with singing of the Aligarh University Anthem.
In the second session of the program, an international Mushaira was conducted wherein Urdu poets from different regions and countries including California, New York, India and Pakistan presented their poems on different topics. They include Raees Ansari (India), Nida Fazli (India), Asar Bahraichi (India), Naseem Nikhat (India), Vasmi Abidi (California), Mahnaz Naqvi (California), Saiyed Irfan Ahmad (California), Khalil Irfan (New York) and Tariq Sabzwari (Pakistan).