Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) Sir Syed Day Celebration – 2022

The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (AMUAAQ) an associate organization (AO) of ICBF under the aegis of the Embassy of India-Qatar, celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of the university’s founder “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan” on 16th December 2022 (Friday) at the beautiful indoor venue (Jade Ball Room) of the Hayatt Regency Oryx Doha Hotel under the managing committee of Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association presided by Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani.
Dr. Syed Sabahat Azim who is currently the CEO of Glocal Healthcare and a former IAS officer of Tripura Cader, besides being a medical graduate from AMU was the chief guest while Mr. Sachin Shankpal Dinkar (First Secretary Indian Embassy, Qatar), Imtiaz Anwar Siddiqui, Dr. Hasan Chougule (Entrepreneur), Mrs. Sophia Bukhari. Mr. Rajesh VC (District director Toastmasters) and Mr. Vinod V Nair (President, ICBF), graced the occasion as guest of honour.
Shahabuddin Ahmad (Chairman, Bazm e Sadaf), Mr. Sitwat Ali Siddiqi, Mr. Rahul (WWICS), Mr.Altaf Khan (Reyada), Rafat Jahan, Mr. Haque attended the program as special guest while representative of Lulu group, City Exchange, Care N Cure, Gulf Light, Affix ,Omega Power, Seen services, Al Aqsa Neon, Ultimate extended their wishes and support
Chief Guest, Dr. Sabahat Azim, thanked AMUAAQ for inviting him to SS Day function. In his keynote address, he advised the audience not to lose hope and work on things that are important but not urgent. In an inspiring speech, full of anecdotes & quotes he drew parallels between challenges faced by the community & those that were prevalent at the time of Sir Syed and counselled the audience that like Sir Syed we should also plan for the long term in a proactive manner, utilising the opportunities thrown open by the digitalised world.
Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani, President AMU Alumni Association Qatar, in his welcome address paid glowing tributes to the founder of Aligarh Muslim University and remembered how Sir Syed travelled to England to study the British Education system and established MAO College on the pattern of universities of Oxford & Cambridge. He also welcomed all the dignitaries and gave a glimpse of the activities of AMUAAQ throughout the year and outlined future plans of the association. He also gave tribute to late Dr. Mohammed Sabih Bukhari and late Mohammed Habi bun Nabi .
Mr. Sachin Shankpal Dinkar , First secretary, Indian Embassy in his address said that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was one of the greatest educationists in the world and felt great to be the part of this event, in his speech, counted AMU Alumni Association Qatar’s achievements in education, community service and sports and congratulated the alumni and he also appreciated AMUAAQ for their compassion empathy and brotherhood.
The guest of honour, Mr Imtiaz Anwar Siddiqui who also is an alumnus of AMU spoke on the occasion and advised all Aligarians in Qatar to work together and commended AMUAAQ leadership for celebrating Sir Syed day in the midst of FIFA World Cup in a unified manner.
Sophia Bukhari, Patron of AMUAAQ requested all AMU alumni to work towards the benefit of their alma mater and contribute more towards education. She also mentioned that AMU & their Alumni contributing a lot towards education. She also remembered her husband late M.S. Bukhari , who was strongly associated with AMUAAQ.
Jawed Ahmad, Chairman of the AMU Alumni Association Qatar informed about the membership, Alumni directory update and congratulated all the Aligarians for being exemplary ambassadors of our Alma Mater and for contributing meaningfully towards realizing the dream of Sir Syed and work hard to keep ourselves among Oxfordian and cambridgian as well, to give complete tribute to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
Mr. Hassan Chougle in his address said that all Aligarian in Qatar should come together to fulfill the AMUAAQ mission towards community and alma mater. He appreciated the AMU Alumni Qatar team for their tremendous efforts towards community services. He also mentioned that much more focus is required towards education, in this regard initial initiative was taken by AMUAAQ to bring some courses to overseas.
Vinod Nair in his speech highly praised the A.M.U Alumni Association-Qatar for the great efforts it is making for the progress of the University and community. He also mentioned that we can spread the education easily by utilizing the technology. Lastly he mentioned that he look forward to work with AMUAAQ in future for the development of university and community.
Rajesh VC (District director, Toastmasters) requested all AMU alumni to work towards the benefit of their alma mater and contribute more towards society and skill development. He also mentioned that AMU & their Alumni have been contributing a lot towards community as he has been observing it via social media & news papers. He also appreciated amu alumni for chartering a club with Toastmaster International as AMU Alumni Toastmasters. He also mentioned that AMU Alumni is among the TOP distinguish club in very short time.
Professor Javaid Zaidi spoke about the vision and mission of AMU Alumni Association Qatar, he also talked about Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and AMU. He also addressed that all Aligs should come together to fulfill the AMUAAQ mission towards community and alma mater.
Besides the inspiring speech of the Chief Guest, there was a splendid performance by children on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 theme song “Hayya Hayya”. A Kahoot Quiz and an Urdu symposium were conducted from Doha literary circles kept the audience engaged and entertained. No SS Day celebration is complete without the traditional dinner. Over 200 Aligs & well wishers attended this program with their families and went down the memory lane of nostalgia. AMU doctors and community leaders were felicitated for their support towards community.
First international release of the book titled “Syed Mahmood: Colonial India’s Dissenting Judge “ was launched on this Founders’ day celebration in 75th year of India’s independence amidst the biggest festival of Football (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022) with the theme Hayya Hayya (Better together). Two young law academics, Mohammad Nasir and Samreen Ahmad are the author of the book both informative and analytical in its dissection of his erudite and often astounding judgements. Guest and Alumni congratulated both the author.
On the occasion of Sir Syed Day 2022, participants and guest Congratulated Qatar for hosting one of the most important global sports event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and unitedly stand and wish Qatar for successful accomplishment of best ever FIFA 2022
Mehfil e sukhan was presided by senior Urdu poet Janab Ateeq Anzar while the popular poet Janab Ahmad Ashfaque did the nizamat. Others who kept the audience entertained by their beautiful poetry included Janab Ashfaque Deshmukh , Dr Wasiul Haque Wasi and Dr Nadeem Jilani.
Dr. Jilani appreciated and thanked all members of managing & advisory committees of AMUAAQ especially Chairman Jawed Ahmad, VP Mohammad Faisal Naseem , GS Khan Farman Khan , VP ladies wing Dr Ashna Nusrat , Dr. Syed Intekhab Alam, Mrs Ghazala Yasmeen, Mr Mamnoon Bangash , Head of Sports Mr Farrukh Farooqui , Head of Toastmasters Mohammed Nayeem Aman, Mr Abad Khan, Mrs Saima Rafat and Mr Imaduddin Ahmad for their hard work and commitment to organise such a memorable program at a very short notice.
Mr Farman Khan, General Secretary AMUAAQ informed after the event about the activites undertaken by AMUAAQ like – Zaiqa E Aligarh including Women empowerment and child abuse, Alumni meet, Multi Specialised Free Medical camp, Blood donation camp, Sports day, Interfaith seminar, Felicitation program, Toastmasters meeting, Stand with FIFA 2022, Beach Cleaning, Supporting and Standing with India and AMU, and also supporting to community for financial assistance to mostly affected areas during Pandemic Situation (Covid19) in India. He also mentioned about the available opportunity for employment as many people lost their jobs because, of Covid-19 pandemic. Apart from the above-mentioned collective activities many individual one to one basis activities were undertaken to build brotherhood and positive environment among all residing in Qatar, helped needy people to get the benefit of Vande Bharat Mission flights etc.
The events’s anchoring was deftly handled by Dr. Ashna and Mohammed Nayeem. Dr. Ashna wonderfully threaded the discussion. Mamnoon Ahmad Bangash started the program with the recitation of Verses from the Holy Quran while initial introduction and safety guidelines were briefed by Ghazala Yasmin.
President Dr. Nadeem Jilani announced the Excellence award
Best parenting award 2022 – International Excellence Awards Educational Excellence & Exceptional Parenting was Presented to Abdurahiman Elikkottil & Shahina Rahiman (Parenting Hafiz Rahman Elikkottil to score 500/500, CBSCE , Grade X)
Sir Syed award for professional Excellence 2022 – International Excellence Awards Sir Syed award for professional Excellence Presented to Prof. Javaid Zaidi Advisor, AMUAAQ, Professor, Qatar University
AMUAAQ Emerging RJ & Journalist Excellence Awards Presented to Mohammed Sarwar Mirza an alumnus of AMU, works for FM 107 Urdu radio Qatar.
Notable alumni of AMU in Qatar, excellence Awards Presented to Ahmad Azim Khan, Aftab Hussain and Ali Imran.
Dr. Ashna Nusrat & Almas Ahmad organised a quiz competition on Sir Syed’s life, mission, achievements, A.M.U & FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It was highly appreciated and enjoyed by all participants as it was played on the Kahoot mobile app and a Projector screen – Winner of this program was Master Aquib, 1st runner up Master Amaan and 2nd runner up Mr. Anees.

Dr Ashna Nusrat an alumnus of AMU informed that this association has 4 subdivision. They are: 1.AMUAAQ – Toastmaster, 2. AMUAAQ – Sports, 3. AMUAAQ – Healthcare, 4. AMUAAQ – Ladies, She also informed that Apart from these there is no other official groups of AMUAAQ

Mr. Faisal Naseem, Vice President, A.M.U Alumni Association-Qatar thanked all the attendees and esteemed guests.
Prof. Javaid Zaidi, Nishat Ali Khan, Syed Shahabuddin, Ghufran Ali Khan, Ali Imran, Sarwar Mirza, Mohd. Alamgir, Rizwan Ahmad,Anjum, Shafqat Nabi, Mohammad Irfanullah, Lutfee Kakar, Junaid Nizam, Rashid Chisti, Dr. Imtiyaz, Dr. Sikandar, Dr. Habiba Hina, Dr. Mosharraf Shamim, Dr. Mazhar Salim, Dr. Munavvar Ansari, Dr. S. Jaffery, Dr. Imran, Dr. Syed Mohammed Hasan Rizvi, Dr. Mazhar Salim Bustami, Dr.ABDURAHIMAN ELIKKOTTIL, Dr. Munavvar Ansari and other community leaders also attended the occasion.

Finally, the National Anthem of Qatar and National Anthem of India was virtually played. The event culminated with a beautiful rendition of the university’s evergreen musical tarana (anthem),“Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman,main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ”.

A sumptuous Indian dinner was severed to all the participants.