RIYADH — Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a confluence of modern and age-old values of brotherhood and mutual coexistence, said a senior academician of the prestigious New Delhi-based university. “The institution is like a platform from which students embark on a journey of learning and self-discovery. It is a model of national integration where children from every religion, sect and denomination study together,” Abdul Naseeb Khan, Principal of Jamia Senior Secondary School, said at the seventh annual JMI alumni meeting here dubbed “A JMI Campus Across the Sea.” The term “A Jamia Campus across the Sea” was coined in 2008 by Ghizal Mahdi, the founding member and current president of the association. Khan was the chief guest while Dr. Zubair Meenai, professor of Social Work department, was the guest of honor at the gala event attended by over 400 Jamia alumni and their families. Representatives of other alumni associations and social organizations were also in attendance. In his address, Khan shed light on the achievements of Jamia School. He said graduates of the school were doing well in competitive examinations for engineering and medicine. Meenai, a renowned scholar in the field of social work, dwelt on the values that are synonymous with Jamia. He urged the alumni to inculcate critical thinking and to question the status quo. He expressed admiration for the way Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association (Riyadh Chapter) has imbibed democratic values in its day-to-day activities. He said: “It is in the DNA of the university to be a rebel with a cause: to rebel against injustice and hypocrisy.” He said that Jamia had taken progressive educational measures long before they were in vogue in educational circles. Being a former dean of student welfare, he further suggested that the association should institute scholarships in the university. The association's former president, Khursheed Anwar, emphasized the need for overseas Jamia alumni to contribute to educational initiatives of the university. He dwelt at length on an educational initiative launched by eminent educationist Khalid Saifullah who trains madrasa graduates in modern education so as to fulfill the needs of teachers in rural areas. Dr. Shafaatullah Khan, founding member of the association, emphasized the need to revisit and propagate the pristine values of mutual respect and affection. He recounted his experience that every member of the staff was treated with respect and courtesy irrespective of his or her position. Professor Sarwar Hussain emphasized the role of the alumni in propagating the humane values of compassion and brotherhood espoused by Jamia across the globe. In his presidential address, Mahdi highlighted the major achievements of the association, specifically mentioning instances when the association members rose to the occasion to help members in need. He spelt out his vision for the next two years to strengthen the fraternal bonds within the Jamia alumni as well as between the overseas alumni and JMI. One of his cabinet's missions is to bring out a directory of Jamiaites across the Kingdom. It will be presented on the occasion of the 94th Jamia Foundation Day, to be held on October 29 this year, he said. Mahdi said his focus was to inject young blood into the association, maximize participation and democratize the association. He also thanked and read out the names of the Jamia alumni who extended their financial assistance for organizing the event, including Nadeem Nadwi, CEO of Saudi Cricket Council, for his patronage and assistance to the recently-formed Jamia Alumni Cricket team. Senior Jamiaites including Salman Azmi, Ehsan Azim, Zafar Bari, Ghayasuddin, Aftab Nizami, Irfanul Haque, Dr. Tansir Ahmad and Naushad Alam presented bouquets to guests. In addition, Mahdi presented mementos to the chief guest and the guest of honor for their services to JMI. The association's general secretary, Abid Aqeel, presented a report on the activities of the association and its aspirations over the next two years. A former Saudi diplomat and Jamia alumnus, Mansoor Al-Rashidi, welcomed guests and members to Saudi Arabia. The association's former president, Murshid Kamal, anchored the event with aplomb, interspersing the proceedings with rich Urdu poetry. Vice President Ghayasuddin proposed the vote of thanks. Nadeem Alam, a prominent JMI alumnus from Jeddah, also participated in the event. Children of the alumni and their guests participated in a drawing and painting competition. The tiny tots displayed their artistic skills along with young boys and girls. The program was organized under the guidance of Razia Zaidi, Bareerah Saad, Nazma Tansir, Shazia Ahmed, Sania Nisar, Deeba Shamsad, Dr. Shabana Rehman, Sheeren Khan, Shahana Murshid, Saima Pervez, Abid Aqeel Najeeb Qasmi, and many other volunteers. Meritorious children were awarded and consolation prizes were given to all participants.
