UAE: The commemoration of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the revered benefactor of the Indian subcontinent and a distinguished advocate for humanity, was celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervor in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Along with former students of Aligarh Muslim University, the event attracted renowned international poets, fiction writers, film and TV artists, social workers, business leaders, and numerous media representatives.
At the onset of the program, Mr. Imdad-ul-Mulk warmly greeted the attendees, expressing gratitude for their presence. The organizing committee extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Mr. Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group, alongside another Chief Guest, Mr. D.S. Chauhan, IPS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Telangana.
The Sir Syed Day celebration also welcomed several esteemed guests from India. Furthermore, prominent UAE businessman, His Excellency Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Marzouqi, was among the special guests.
On the 19th of October at the Holiday International Hotel in Sharjah, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s legacy was celebrated in front of an audience of more than 800 people, who expressed appreciation for the well-organized event.
A captivating play titled Faisla (The Decision), written by AMU alumnus and creative head Mr. Feroz Khan, was performed for lovers of Urdu literature. The audience was thoroughly entertained, and actors Dr. Farhat Chaudhry, Minhaj Khan, Dr. Shadma Parveen, and MD Tahir Pathan were met with thunderous applause.
Bollywood actor Mr. Rahman Khan brought additional delight to the audience with his unique comedic act, earning widespread praise.
On this special occasion, awards and commemorative shields were presented to individuals of exceptional merit. Prof. Zillur Rahman, Padma Shri, former Chairman of Unani Medicine and founder of the Ibn Sina Academy in Aligarh, India, and former Indian field hockey player Mr. Inamur Rahman, were recognized with the prestigious title Fakhr-e-Alig (Pride of Aligarh).
Mr. Anees Ahmed, General Manager of Al-Maqsoud Auto Leasing, received the title Ittihad-e-Alig (Unity of Aligs) and was honored for his contributions.
Distinguished guests commended the efforts of the Aligarh Muslim University alumni who organized the event, lauding their dedication. The program also included the joint launch of the AMU Alumni UAE 2024 directory by the guests and the organizing committee.
Mr. Kaunain Shahidi portrayed Sir Syed Ahmed Khan with remarkable accuracy, replicating his appearance, mannerisms, and speech. The play Sawalat-e-Syed was written and directed by Dr. Sayeed Alam.
At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Akhtar Alam, CEO of Tannouf Group, expressed gratitude to the honored guests and all who contributed to the success of the event. It was announced that the next Sir Syed Day will be held on 18th October 2025 at the Holiday International Hotel in Sharjah.
In media interviews, attendees praised the unique anthem and a touching poem titled Bint-e-Hawa (Daughter of Eve), which celebrated the strength and abilities of women.
Distinguished attendees included Dr. Areeba Khan, Haris Qamar, Atul Kumar Aggarwal, Mansoor Ahmed, Burhan Khalid, Pushkin Agha, Deepak Sharma, Shakeel Imam, Mohammad Ghayyour Ahmed, Anwar Baari, and others. The event was conducted by Atif Rizvi, Safaraz ul Hasan, and Shadma Parveen.
