By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Sir Syed Day was observed for the first time in Manipur by Aligarh Muslim University – Alumni Association of Manipuri Muslims (AMU – AAMM) on 17 October 2012 at Late Pishak Bibi Memorial Community Hall at Yairipok Tulihal Mayai Leikai in Imphal East district. The function commemorated the 175th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, one of the builders of modern India and founder of AMU.
Singing the AMU tarana.
The function was attended by around 300 Muslims from the State who studied in AMU. Former Principal Secretary of Government of Manipur A.R. Khan (IAS Retd.) and former speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr. Maniruddin Sheikh, who studied in AMU in the 1970s, addressed the gathering. Both the speakers remembered and hailed the endeavors of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to empower the Indian Muslims with the help of modern education. Dr. Maneruddin said, “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a great visionary and a Muslim reformer who worked for the intellectual development of the Muslims in this sub-continent through modern education. Sir Syed championed the cause of modern or western education at a time when the Muslims and the Indians in general considered it a religious sin to get modern education. Over the years we have made some progress in the field of education; however we are way behind the other communities, and still to achieve the goal that Sir Syed had visualized. We need to revive the educational movement that he had started to make the Muslims realize the need and value of modern education.
Gathering for the feast.
Remembering his days in AMU, S.M. Islamuddin, Associate Professor at Lilong Haoreibi College in Lilong, said, “AMU was a very popular university in our days. Still it is popular among the Manipuris. I joined the university for Masters in Geography in 1975. At that time there were 75 Manipuris studying in AMU. Most of the Manipuris who studied in AMU are well-placed in the society. Among the prominent Manipuri Muslims who studied in AMU are former Speaker and well-known Pediatrician Dr. Maneruddin Sheikh, Retired IAS A.R. Khan, Retired IPS Abdur Rahman, Principal of Lilong Haoreibi College Md. Khalilur Rahaman, Associate Professors Md. Kheiruddin and Abdul Hakim, both teaching in DM College of Commerce, Associate Professor Syed Wahidur Rahman teaching in GP Women’s College, to name a few.”
The Muslim candidates who cleared the recently declared Manipur Civil Services Examination, 2012, conducted by Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC), were felicitated at the function by giving them mementoes. Some of these successful candidates studied in AMU. The nine Manipuri Muslim candidates, out of the total 138 candidates who cleared the examination are:
1. Shamim Ahmad Shah
2. Md. Abdul Kalam
3. Syed Abdul Kalam
4. Mohammed Rabban Shah
5. Mohd. Yasser Ahmed Khan
6. Syed Samir Ahamad
7. Mohammed Suleiman Daulat Khan
8. Md. Ziaur Rahman
9. Md. Imran Khan
AMU – AAMM was formed on 1 July 2012 with Md. Riyajuddin Shah as President and Md. Bariyajuddin Shah as General Secretary.