RIYADH — India Islamic Culture Center (IICC) overseas chapter organized a seminar in a local restaurant to discuss the relevance of Sir Syed and his Aligarh Movement in the modern time. Addressing a gathering of Indian community here, Chief Guest Dr. Hifzur Rahman Azmi, the first secretary at Indian Embassy here, said that Sir Syed was a prominent 19th-century Muslim scholar, thinker and reformer of the Indian subcontinent who is vastly admired for his sharp observation of the challenges that faced his society. "Sir Syed was not only the ambassador of modern education in the Indian Subcontinent, rather he is considered as the pioneer who introduced modern sciences in the Muslim world at large," Dr. Azmi added. Highlighting the significant role that ‘Tahzeebul Akhlaq' played in the success of Aligarh Movement, Dr. Azmi said that this prominent journal provided to Sir Syed and his reformist movement a prodigious platform to disseminate his religious, social and reforming opinions. "It was none but Tahzeebul Akhlaq that is credited to establish Sir Syed as one of the fathers of Urdu fiction. Therefore, it is high time to revive it with the same mission and spirit that Sir Syed had aimed at while launching this prominent journal", Azmi urged. Referring to Sir Syed's affection to his religion, Akhtarul Islam Siddiqui who conducted the program said: "When William Mayure's blasphemous book ‘The Life of Mohammad' was first published during late 18th Sir Syed was so much concerned that he communicated from England to a friend in India: "William Mayure's book has deeply disturbed me. His bias and injustices have singed my heart. But I have resolved to rebut it and I don't care if I am broke and become a beggar in the process." In his opening remarks, Murshid Kamal Jamayee, questioned whether the current setup of AMU fulfills the dreamed mission of its founder. "Today, it is observed that the Muslim societies of South Asia are facing the same challenges as they were in the 19th century. Lack of education and a narrow religious worldview are still amongst our daunting problems," he remarked. Paying rich tribute to the bold steps taken by Sir Syed to face the grave challenges of modernity and bring about the reforms in the Muslim society Kamal said: "To reinterpret the Islamic thought is considered his most prominent legacy. Yet it appears that these legacies have not received due attention as today, the Muslim societies of South Asia are facing the same challenges that Sir Syed highlighted over a century ago. Sir Syed must be appreciated for his daring intellectual and pragmatic response to the challenges of the time". Zakir Azmi Nadvi presented a comprehensive paper on "Relevance of Sir Syed and Aligarh Movement in Modern Time" wherein he termed him as an erudite Muslim reformer who had emerged as a moderate and modernized educationist after 1857 at a time when the British were under the impression that Muslims are conservatives and impediments towards progress. "Sir Syed had to face multifarious criticisms and oppositions for rational approach to faith having soft corner for adopting English language as a tool of imparting the modern education. However, he did not give up his mission of promoting modern education as he was strongly convinced that Muslims cannot progress without acquiring modern knowledge. Finally, his efforts earned him the title "Prophet of Education," Nadvi added. AMOUBA General Secretary while representing the AMU Alumni association stated that Sir Syed was the first Indian educationalist who had visited England and had keenly observed Oxford and Cambridge before establishing Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College (MAO), which later became Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Adding that Sir Syed is credited to being the first reformist who advocated for making education globalized and introducing the first residential system at MAO. Zafrul Islam Abdul Bari highlighted the post-1857 political and social conditions of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, which led Sir Syed to establish AMU. A young Alig engineer turn poet Marghoob Mohsin also addressed the event stressing on the need to revive the Student Club, which has, in past, produced visionary leaders who have served the community on various fronts. "Although we have made tremendous progress in the field of medical science, arts, engineering and NANO technologies, yet many of Si Syed's dreams are yet to be realized," Mohsin added. Earlier the program was started with the recitation of few verses from the Glorious Qur'an by Shabbir Ahmed Nadvi. Many eminent Aligs including Rashid Hasan, Syed Mutayyab and representatives of other social organizations such Khalid Noor, Convener of Milli Council, Anisur Rahman, president of Jamia Millia Alumni Association Riyadh Chapter, Syed Munir Ahmed, president of Bihar Anjuman and Noushad Jamayee were among the attendees.
