JUBAIL — An annual get-together on the occasion of Sir Syed Day was marked here Saturday at Sabic beach camp. The event was organized to pay tribute and remember the contributions of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and one of the key architects of modern India. Khan was one of those early pioneers who recognized the critical role of education in the empowerment of the poor and backward Muslim community. In more than one ways, Khan was one of the greatest social reformers and a great national builder of modern India. The aim of Khan was not merely restricted to establishing a college in Aligarh but at making a network of Muslim-managed educational institutions throughout the country. With this vision, he instituted All India Muslim Educational Conference that revived the spirit of Muslims at national level. The Aligarh Movement motivated Muslims to help open a number of educational institutions. It was the first of its kind of such Muslim NGO in India, which awakened the Muslims from their deep slumber and infused social and political sensibility into them. Speaking at the occasion, Zaif Ahmad Qaisar, an alumni of AMU, put forward the demand for a Bharat Ratna (India's highest civilian award) for Sir Syed. The sentiment was shared by more than 300 people present on the occasion. Iftekhar Alam, the advisor and director at Al-Khodri who was the chief guest at the event, emphasized the need for all Muslims to keep a perfect balance between modern scientific education and strong Islamic values. Senior alumnus Mukarram Ali Khan, who was the guest of honor, urged the audience to revive Urdu language, while Syed Abdullah Rizvi accentuated the role of mothers in education and character molding of a child. Educationists Dr. Syed Hameed, principal IIS-Jubail, was felicitated at the event for his national award that he won on Teacher's Day, presented to him by the President of India, and Dr. Naushad Ali, vice principal IIS-Jubail, was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to the Indian community. Sayeed Malik Ahmad and Zubair Khan, who passed away this year, were also remembered for their contributions and felicitated posthumously. Meritorious students of IIS-Jubail — Zehra Siddiqui, Musaiyab Ali Mirza and Mohammed Aazim Khan — were awarded trophies for achieving a CGPA of 10 in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) grade 10 examination, while Ariba Abu Nasr was awarded a trophy for being a topper in the CBSE grade 12 examination for securing 94 percent marks. Prominent Aligarians and community members present at the occasion were Dr. Anwar Habeeb, Dr. Javed Ansari, Dr. Amjad Kamal, Dr. Abu Nasr, Dr. Naseemuddin, Asif Ali Siddiqui, Navaid Khan, Imran Ahmed, Ikramullah Khan, Obaidurrahman, Wais Quarni, Saqib Jaunpuri, Masoodulhasan, Dr. Khaiser Pasha, Nafees Ahmad, Jameel Khan, Syed Waheed Lateef, Taher Mohiuddin, Nasimuddin Ansari, Mohd. Shibli Siddiqui, Aziz Siddiqui, Mufeeduzzaman, Muzaffar Khan, Khalid Ausaf, Shoaib Qureshi, Rahat Sultan and Kaleem Ahmad. Dr. Mohd. Tariq Saeed opened the event; Anis Bakhsh introduced the guests; Syed Baqar Naqvi conducted the event; and Rizwanullah Khan proposed the vote of thanks. — SG
