Tributes paid to Sir Syed on 198th birth anniversary

With only two years left for Aligarhians to observe Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's 200th birth anniversary in 2017, glowing tributes were paid to great reformer and educationist on the occasion of his 198th birth anniversary.
The day was observed here under the auspices of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) which held a function in this regard at the campus of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology.
Largely attended by Aligarhians and followers of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the function was held under the chairmanship of Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman and addressed by eminent speakers including scholars, writers, critics and intellectuals.
Noted writer, poet, and critic Professor Sehar Ansari, researcher and educationist Professor Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, columnist Professor Tahir Masood and Journalist Agha Masood Hussain were among those who expressed their views on the occasion.
They spoke at length on the life and achievements of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and his unmatched services and mission for the renaissance of the Muslims of the sub-continent which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam.
Addressing on the occasion Chancellor Engr Adil Usman, described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as the proponent of a new culture in the sub-continent which helped the Muslims to come out of a quagmire. It was a difficult mission but Sir Syed through his devoted and missionary zeal made it possible, he added.
"He set the direction of the Muslim society which was indeed a tough work to do at that crucial time of the history," the Chancellor remarked.
Engr Adil Usman, particularly referred to the construction of "Sir Syed Tower", on AMUOBAs land opposite Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi and described it a great achievement, He said the Tower named after the great visionary, will be completed within the stipulated time, thus materialising the dream of Aligarhians.
He described the construction of 6-storey ZA Nizami, new block at SSUET as another achievement and said it has been completed in a record time and as a result academic activities also started here.
He said the credit of this success goes to all Aligarhians who deserve appreciation.
The Chancellor made it clear that objective of Sir Syed Tower is not to get financial benefits, but the revenue to be earned from this project will be spent for the promotion of education.
He pointed out that SSUET has a very experienced faculty which made it an institution of international standard. In his speech, Professor Sehar Ansari recalled his recent visit to USA and said that Sir Syed's mission was being vigorously promoted by Aligarhians living in North America and Canada which reflects that Sir Syed's movement is alive both in the East and the West.