AMU teachers appeal all to follow government directives on COVID 19

Aligarh: Senior faculty members of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) expressed deep concern over the irresponsible act of a section of a religious Muslim organisation for holding of a congregation in the Markaz at Nizamuddin.

The appeal signed by senior academicians including Professor Shahid Siddiqui (Principal, JN Medical College), Professor Ali Mohammad Naqvi (former Dean, Faculty of Theology), Professor Mohammad Zaheeruddin (former Dean, Faculty of Law), Professor A R Kidwai (Director, UGC HRDC), Dr Mohammad Shahid (Deputy Director, Sir Syed Academy), Professor Asim Siddiqui (Department of English), Professor Mohammad Sajjad (Department of History) and Professor Asfar Ali Khan (Director, School Education, AMU) said that it was a negligence to allow such a large gathering, knowing well that the dangerous COVID-19 virus has already spread its tentacles in different parts of the country.

The faculty members also took a strong exception to the attempts being made by certain section to paint the entire Muslim community as villain and to squarely blame it for accentuating the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. They are of the considered opinion that the Nizamuddin episode is only an aberration as the Muslim community is religiously following all the instructions and directives of the Central Government regarding social distancing, complete lockdown and maintaining personal hygiene, and is extending full cooperation to the authorities.

AMU faculty members called upon the Central Government to institute a high level inquiry on the lapses and the guilty must be brought to book. The faculty expresses deep concern over the campaign launched by certain vested interests to give communal twist to this devastating human tragedy.

The AMU faculty appealed to all sections of society, including the Muslim community, that at a time when the entire human race faces a huge public crisis, we should join hands and face the menace of COVID-19 united and with full determination and should follow all the directives of the government and advice of the doctors so as to win this huge battle against the deadly virus.