AMU Law Society Organises International Virtual Conference on 'Sir Syed'

The Law Society, Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organised its Seventh International Virtual Conference on 'Sir Syed: Vision and Mission'.

Chief Guest of the conference, Er. Nadeem A. Tarin, Prominent Businessman and Educationist, Saudi Arabia and AMU Alumnus in his address said that Sir Syed transformed the status of Indians. He understood that modern education is as important as religious education. His mission was to spread the light of education to all corners of the country. Sir Syed worked a lot in that field and successfully established the MAO College.

Er. Tarin stressed the teachings of Sir Syed and said that they are very important and we should work in that direction. He advised the people to come out and help in spreading the mission of Sir Syed.

The conference was presided by Mr. S. Gurdev Singh, IAS (Rtd.), President, Sikh Educational Society, Chandigarh and AMU Alumnus. Mr Gurdev said that only a few people are remembered by the masses after their death, and Sir Syed is one of them. Sir Syed is a person who has left a mark on the history of the Indian subcontinent by establishing an educational institution. He further said that Sir Syed was a secular man and his institution has benefited every community in India.

Mr. Gurdev also discussed his personal experiences as a student in AMU and said that he was a member of Hockey Club and won the national championship for 2 consecutive years. At the end, he said that he still remembers the teaching of Prof. Hafeezul Rahman, Prof. Dayal and Prof. Mohammad Habib.

Delivering his Keynote Address, Prof. Shafey Kidwai, Chairman, Dept. of Mass Communication and MIC, Public PRO Office, AMU explained in detail about the life and history of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He said that Sir Syed is only seen as the founder of Aligarh Muslim University, but in reality, he was a multifaceted man.

Prof. Kidwai cleared the doubts in the minds of the participants about Sir Syed's personality. He also said that Sir Syed showed the people the way to protest. He gave the example of the reply of Sir Syed to William Meur's book on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the form of a book. Prof. Shafey Kidwai further said that Sir Syed was a very secular man.

Prof. Shakeel Samdani, Dean, Faculty of Law, AMU and President, Law Society said that Sir Syed was a multi-faceted man. He was an educationist, social reformer, philosopher, historian and a secular man. Prof. Samdani further elaborated that Sir Syed contributed a lot for the Indians, by successfully convincing the British to increase the age of Indians in Civil Service Examinations and also by conducting exams in India.

Prof. Shakeel Samdani further said that Sir Syed's was a secular man who never discriminated against anyone on the basis of religion. The doors of MAO College was open for everyone. Prof. Samdani said that both our guests, Er Nadeem A Tarin and Mr. Gurdev Singh are carrying forward the legacy of Sir Syed by successfully running various educational institutions throughout the country. Prof. Samdani also praised the efforts of Prof. Tariq Mansoor (VC) and Mr. Abdul Hamid (Registrar) for carrying forward the legacy of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

Ms Latifa Ben Arfa Rabai, Head, Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Postgraduate Unit, University of Al Buraimi, Oman addressed the conference as Guest of Honour. She highlighted the importance of scientific education in the modern world and related it with the vision of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. She said that Sir Syed was a farsighted man who understood the importance of scientific education very early. She also advised the participants to learn their mother language and at least one foreign language.