“Sir Syed’s Writings Can Take the Community out of Inertia: Arif Mohammad Khan

Aligarh : Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said on Thursday that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was a brilliant thinker, a foresighted leader and a man of action. ‘His writings have potential to take us out of inertia, and generate institution-building minds’.

Speaking at the launch of four volumes of the collected works of Sir Syed, published by Sir Syed Academy, AMU, at India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, Governor Khan congratulated AMU Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor and Sir Syed Academy for publication of “Maqalat-e-Sir Syed” and other writings of Sir Syed, for benefit of readers.

After releasing the book, Kerala Governor said that Sir Syed started his reformist and educational movement in an era when English and modern education were considered bad, by a large section of the Indian population. “For the first time in India, status quo and inertia was broken by Sir Syed”, he said.

He said, “Sir Syed had a great understanding of the Qur’an and he emphasised on obtaining modern education, and preference of reason and rationalism over passion and emotion”.

Talking about culture and civilization, and the question of the nation and Millat, Mr Khan said “imitation or Taqleed leads to intellectual stagnation and it is the opposite of creativity. Sir Syed emphasized on the acquisition of scientific and technical knowledge and modern sciences. In the Qur’an, there is an invitation to ponder over the phenomena of the universe, which is also an invitation to use reason and wisdom and to develop interest in science”.

The Kerala Governor further said that Sir Syed called geography the basis of the concept of ‘nation’ and emphasized on living in harmony with people of all religions.

Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan, referring to various decrees or fatwas against Sir Syed, said that judging the religion and faith of others is an unreasonable act. “Stop being judgmental about others and everything will be fine”, exhorted Mr. Khan.

“The relevance and significance of Sir Syed’s thought is being recognized day by day, and there is an urgent need to publish his original writings so that more and more people can read them and learn from him how to survive and sail in tumultuous times”, Mr. Khan added.

Delineating Sir Syed’s message with reference to Allama Iqbal’s famous Urdu poem “Syed Ki Lo-e-Turbat”, Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan congratulated Sir Syed Academy and emphasised “These writings are very meaningful and useful today”.

In his presidential remarks, AMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor said Sir Syed had a multi-faceted personality who wrote on diverse topics. “We have provided all support to Sir Syed Academy for the publication and promotion of Sir Syed’s writings, and any further suggestion will be seriously considered”.

The Vice Chancellor informed that Sir Syed Academy has published more than 35 books since the bicentenary celebrations of Sir Ahmad Khan. “Digitization of 100,000 pages out of 1.25 lakh pages has been done by the Sir Syed Academy, and the remaining pages are also expected to be completed in the next three months. Digitization of valuable texts and documents is also underway at Maulana Azad Library of the University, for preserving them for posterity and facilitating their use by others”.

The Vice-Chancellor also informed that a proposal to set up Sir Syed Chair has been submitted to the University Grants Commission.

Briefing about various activities and achievements, Prof Mansoor said, the University has conferred Sir Syed International Excellence Awards upon eminent and distinguished scholars and authors including Prof. David Lelyveld (2017), Prof. Christian W. Troll (2018), Professor Gail Minault (2020), Prof Francis Christopher Robinson (2021), and Barbara Daly Metcalf (2022), who are professor emeritus and reputed in the world of knowledge and research.

“Sir Syed Endowment Fund was established recently; whose corpus has increased upto Rs 50 lakh. Coffee-table book “Jehan-i-Syed” was published on the occasion of Sir Syed bicentenary celebrations (2017), that presents an overview of Sir Syed’s life and Aligarh Movement”, added Prof Mansoor.

The Vice-Chancellor specially thanked Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan for releasing “Maqalat-e-Sir Syed”.

Earlier, in his keynote address, Professor Saud Alam Qasmi (Dean, Faculty of Theology, AMU) said that Sir Syed started writing from an early age and his passion for writing never diminished.

“Reason, modernity and utility are the three main features of Sir Syed’s thought process. Sir Syed said unless there is rationality behind your speech and action, it will not be acceptable. Every modern thing should not be abandoned and traditions should not chain you, instead one should think about their utility”, remarked Prof Qasmi.

He further said “Maqalat-e-Sir Syed is a record of epoch-making thought leader. A leader should be far-sighted. We notice these attributes in Sir Syed. There is simplicity and directness in his style of writing, and his articles reflect his passion for knowledge and reform. No intelligent person can deny the significance of Sir Syed’s thoughts in the present era”.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Ali Mohammad Naqvi (Director, Sir Syed Academy) said: “rationalism, scientism, freedom and liberalism, and non-violence are the four prominent features of Sir Syed’s thought. Sir Syed projected Islam as a religion of peace and respect for human relations. He advocated for avoidance of sentimentality, adopting rational thinking, modern higher education and interfaith relations. Avoiding conflict with the government was part of his strategy”.

While welcoming the chief guest and other dignitaries, Prof. Naqvi appreciated the role of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor in patronising Sir Syed Academy. “Volume first and second of Maqalat-e-Sir Syed was released in Aligarh while volumes III, IV, V and VI are being released in this event”, he added.

Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr. Mohammad Shahid (Deputy Director, Sir Syed Academy) said, “Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan’s speeches are always full of content and logic. We are grateful to him for sparing time for this event.” Dr. Mohammad Shahid also described the future publication plans of Sir Syed Academy.

The Vice Chancellor presented a memento to the Chief Guest Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan on the occasion.

Dr. Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC-HRDC, AMU conducted the proceedings.

AMU officials, senior teachers, research scholars and other dignitaries attended the programme.