By TCN News,
California: The California chapter of Aligarh Muslim University alumni will celebrate Founder’s Day, popularly known as Sir Syed Day, by hosting an International Mushaira along with dinner here on October 30 in Bay Area.
Coming October 17 is the 193rd birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh Muslim University. Sir Syed, the famous 19th century scholar, historian and social reformer, was born on October 17, 1817. Sir Syed spent most of his time on promotion of social, economic and educational conditions of Indian Muslims.
To celebrate his birth anniversary, the AMU Alumni Association of Northern California is organizing the 12th Annual International Mushaira, along with dinner, on October 30 at India community center in Milpitas at 6:00 pm. Featured guest poets from the Indian sub-continent include, Nida Fazli (India), Tariq Subzwari (Pakistan), Naseem Nikhat (India), Rais Ansari (India), Asar Bahraichi (India), Khalid Irfan (New York), and selected poets of California. The Chief Guest and key note speaker is Michael Wolfe, President and Executive Producer of Unity Productions Foundation.
The Mushaira, which originated in the courts of kings and patronized by the nobility, survived these institutions due to the links with the common man. It was completely brought into the public domain by the beginning of the last century. Mushaira, with a strong secular tradition, had been taking Urdu poetry to the masses, entertaining and educating them. Its appeal cuts across caste, communal, linguistic, and national barriers. It has contributed greatly in keeping the interest in the Urdu language alive and unifying the people through collective celebration of universal human values in today’s society threatened by the culture of intolerance.
AMU Alumni Association of Northern California’s annual Mushairas are well recognized and widely acclaimed as the most sophisticated and popular in North America and attract almost 500 enthusiasts and admirers of Urdu poetry in the Bay Area.
The Alumni Association of Northern California consisting of the alumni of Aligarh Muslim University and its friends and supporters of the Aligarh movement was founded in 1996 as a secular, non-partisan, non-political organization serving the Educational, Social, Literary and Cultural needs of the Community. An important element of the AMU Alumni Association of Northern California is its scholarship program. At its annual event the association has raised funds for scholarships to meritorious and needy students to enable them in achieving their educational goals. Over the years hundreds of students have benefited from this scholarship program.
The Aligarh alumni are spread in large numbers in all over the world with the majority being in the sub-continent. Prominent personalities in all walks of life including statesmen such as Dr. Zakir Husain – former president of India, Ayub Khan – former president of Pakistan, M. Hamid Ansari – current vice president of India, renowned poets and writers such as the late Ali Sardar Jafri, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Asrar-ul Haq Majaz, Shakeel Badayuni, Asmat Chugtai, the popular Jawed Akhtar and artists such as Naseeruddin Shah are all Aligarh alumni.
Around this time of the year, hundreds of thousands of students, alumni, and well wishers of Aligarh Muslim University around the world celebrate the Founder’s Day.
Note: More information about the California event can be obtained either at the association’s website (www.amualumni.org) or by calling (650) 212-2544.