Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) Organised its flagship annual programme “Women empowerment and Zaiqa-e-Aligarh 2023”
The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) an associate organization (AO) of ICBF under the aegis of the Embassy of India-Qatar, organized its annual ladies event “Zaiqa -e- Aligarh 2023 on 19th October 2023 at ) at the beautiful indoor venue of Crown Plaza, AL Manar Ball Room Doha.
The event was organized by ladies’ wing of AMUAAQ and was attended by many dignitaries including India’s new ambassador to Qatar His Excellency Mr. Vipul and his wife Mrs. Kirti Chhokar. AMU Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) Executive committee and members extended a warm welcome to His Excellency Shri Vipul Jee, the newly joined Ambassador of India to the State of Qatar and his wife.
The program highlighted issues of gender inequality in our society, women’s mental health and menace of child abuse through skits, poems and power point presentations. The hallmark of the event was a cookery competition in which participants presented their best cuisines both traditional and modern, in categories of starters, main course and desserts. Well known business woman Mrs. Zainab Abbas was the chief judge along with two renowned chefs from Marriot hotel Ranjan kumar and Leroy Azavedo.
The stage program was anchored eloquently by Vice president (ladies wing) of AMUAAQ and President of AMU Alumni Qatar Toastmasters Dr. Ashna Nusrat. Dr Nadeem Jilani, President of AMUAAQ in his speech lauded the efforts of ladies wing and prayed for peace in the world especially for Gaza and Palestine. Chief Guest of the event Ambassador of India Shri Vipul praised the organiser for raising pertinent issues of the society and highlighted how Govt of India through its program of “Beti parhao Beti Bachao” (Educate the girl child, save the girl child) is keeping the issue of women empowerment at the forefront of its policies.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included representative of Russian Embassy Captain Mavel Burmistrov, Mrs. Asha Shiju (Guest of Honour) while special guests were Mr Babu Rajan, Avinash Gaikwad, President of ICBF Shanavas Baba, Divisional Director of Toastmasters Mrs. Nirmala Raghuraman , Hanna Safardokht President of Royal Qatar Toastmastes , Najmul Hassan Khan (JMI) , Rafat Jahan from Deccan Deewan, An interactive Quiz deftly handled by Dr. Ashna and supported by Ghazala Yasmeen , Saima Rafat and Mahjabeen Hussain for the men in the audience testing their knowledge of different spices. Audience members were given gifts for answering the question right. Chairman of AMUAAQ advisory committee, Er Jawed Ahmed oversaw the distribution of Mementos and certificates to participants and the dignitaries.
Mr. Ahmad said: “It was a really fun and a thoughtful event, where we learned Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries.”
There was lucky draw in which a diamond ring was won by audience member Amna Shahabuddin. The ring was sponsored by Malabar Gold while gift vouchers from Bikaner Wala restaurant and Sheen Services was also won by audience members.
Cookery competition winners were
Winners: Main course : Masaret Begum, Winner Dessert Sadaf Parveen, Winner Starter : Sadia Naushad
1st runner up: Main Course: Shaheen Khan, Dessert: Masarret Begum, Starter: Sadaf Parveen
2nd runner up: Main Course: Khadija Parveen , Dessert: Sadia Naushad, Starter: Saima Rafat,
Each Category 1st winners were given apparels from Saima Ahsan’s Be you fashion and tailoring, certificate and a customary Zaiqa-e-Aligarh 2023 winner apron and other winners were given prizes and certificates.
AMUAAQ executive committee members Mohammad Farman Khan, Dr Intekhab Alam, Farrukh Farooqi, Mamnoon Ahmad Bangash, Dr. Mohammad Nayeem Aman, Abad khan and advisory committee members Tanvir Ahmad, Mohammad Gauhar, Irfanullah, Ahmad Ashfaq, Irfan Ansari, Syed Shahabuddin, Ali Imran, attended the program.
The program ended with the guests tasting the delicious dishes made by participants followed by formal buffet dinner.