| The Occasion |
The 27th March 1998 is a date on which first century of the death of Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan, the great luminary of the Sub-continent was completed.
Unique among his many notable achievements,
was the Aligarh Movement, which he pioneered
for the educational and social reform of
Muslims in the undivided India. The awakening
that he brought about and the path he laid
particularly, through the Mohammadan Anglo-oriental
College at Aligarh that later became the
Muslim University, are significant landmarks
in the renaissance of Muslims that ultimately
led to the creation of Pakistan. Born on
17th October 1817 in Delhi, Sir Syed breathed
his last on 27th March 1898 and was laid
to rest in the precincts of the Aligarh
Muslim University mosque. |
| Main Function |
The Centenary was
sponsored by the Aligarh Muslim University
Old Boys' Association of Pakistan (AMUOBA)
and the Sir Syed University of Engineering
and Technology (SSUET). AMOUBA has been
active since 1948, and SSUET has been one
of the fruits of AMOUBA's sustained efforts
in the field of education, having received
its Charter in 1993. The Centenary-related
programmes started with the celebration
of the 180th Birthday of Sir Syed, and reached their
peak on his 100th Death anniversary. |
The principal function was
an International Seminar held on 21-22 March
1998. Inaugurated by the President of Pakistan,
the Seminar was also attached by the chairman of the Senate, the
the Speaker of the National assembly and the Governor
of the Sindh Province as Chief Guests in its
remaining three sessions.
Noted scholars from Pakistan
and abroad were invited to read papers and
deliver lectures at the Seminar. The themes were so selected as to focus on the lives and
achievements of Sir Syed and his main associates
and followers, as well as on the Aligarh Movement.
The subject matter not only brought out the
historical perspective, but also highlighted
the current and future relevance of the Aligarh Movement to the educational,
social and cultural development of Muslims in
South Asia.
Since the first batch of the graduates of
SSUET came out in 1998, the first Convocation
of the University was also be held in conjunction
with the Centenary on 27th March. With the Prime
Minister of Pakistan as the Chief Guest, this
event was another befitting tribute to Sir
Syed's name.
The Government of Pakistan also decided to launch its newly formulated Education Policy from 27th March. Mark of recognition and respect
to the incomparable contribution of Sir Syed to
educational development.
| Other Programmes |
A number of other programmes either initiated
or planned up to the Centenary date and
beyond, comprising the following were: |
Articles
on Sir Syed, the Aligarh Movement and related
subjects, as well as on the lives and achievements
of prominent associates and followers of
Sir Syed, were published
in various newspapers and magazines, including
the AMUOBA organ, Urdu monthly Tehzib;
|
Interviews,
Talks, Inter-University debates and Quiz
programmes on Radio Pakistan; |
Interviews,
Talks and other programmes on Pakistan Television,
including a long play on Sir Syed,
telecast on 27th March as part of a special
day-long programme; |
Sir
Syed Memorial Inter-University debates in
Urdu and English, organized by SSUET
on 18-19 March; |
Sir
Syed Memorial Essay Competitions in Urdu
and English arranged by SSUET, with prizes
awarded by 27th March; |
Selected
sport events, organised by SSUET on 24-26
March; |
A stage
programme, other competitions and an exhibition
based on students' projects, was organised by
the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT)-a
sister institution of SSUET for 25 March;
and |
A Sir
Syed Memorial International Mushaira was held on 28th March. |
| Publication |
Apart from the articles
being contributed to the newspapers and
magazines as referred above, special
Supplements and Numbers were also brought
outaround 27th March in connection with
the centenary.
In addition, selected writings
of Sir Syed were put together and were presented in a representative volume.
Selections from writings of others have
were also made , to be brought out in two volumes as the best of available
published material (Urdu and English) on
Sir Syed, the Aligarh Movement and the stalwarts
of Aligarh. Some other books, original as
well as reprints, were also published
during the period up to the next birthday
of Sir Syed to complete one whole year of
homage to him.
|
| Coordination |
A broad-based Committee
was constituted for organizing the
Centenary and the Convocation programmes.
The Committee had a strong representation
of the media to ensure adequate publicity,
as well as steadily increasing coverage
to the background, the evolution and the
impact of the Aligarh Movement. At the Committee's
request, the Ministry of Information endorsed to the media, the need for appropriate
programmes relating to the Centenary.
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