A Call to AMU Alumni: Let Us Renew the Sir Syed Mission
From celebrating the Aligarh legacy to carrying its unfinished mission forward

By: S. Masood Husain, Alig
BSc Engineering-Civil, 1979, AMU, Former, Chairman, Central Water Commission, GoI

Aligarh Muslim University is not merely an educational institution. It represents a historic movement launched by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to transform the educational, intellectual, social and economic condition of Indian Muslims. His mission was not confined to establishing an institution or producing degree-holders. He sought to create a modern, enlightened and confident Muslim community equipped with scientific knowledge, rational thinking, professional competence and a constructive commitment to India.

Today, AMU alumni are spread across India and across the world. They constitute one of the most educated and professionally accomplished networks of the Indian Muslim community. This places upon them a special responsibility.

From nostalgia to purposeful deliberation
AMU alumni organisations and individuals should seriously deliberate on whether the original objectives of the Aligarh Movement are being adequately pursued today, specially on Sir Syed Day which falls on 17 October every year. The issues raised in the accompanying discussion deserve collective examination: scientific temper, critical thinking, quality education, social reform, women’s empowerment, economic advancement, entrepreneurship, interfaith understanding and meaningful participation in India’s national development.

The objective should not be merely to discuss these issues at occasional gatherings. Alumni should work towards a clear strategy and practical roadmap for renewing the Sir Syed Mission in the twenty-first century.

A worldwide network of AMU alumni has enormous intellectual, professional and financial resources. Properly organised, it could support scholarships, schools, coaching and mentoring programmes, research, entrepreneurship, women’s education, skill development and evidence-based initiatives for educationally and economically disadvantaged sections of the community.

Beyond ceremonies and social gatherings
There is also a need for some introspection about the manner in which alumni organisations utilise their limited time and resources.

Cultural programmes, Mushairas, reunions and social dinners have their legitimate place. They preserve memories, strengthen friendships and maintain the emotional bond with one’s alma mater. But they should not become the principal purpose of alumni activity.

At a time when large sections of the Muslim community face serious educational, economic and social challenges, lavish dinners in star hotels and repetitive ceremonial activities deserve to be balanced by substantially greater investment in purposeful community initiatives.

The question should be simple:
Are our alumni gatherings merely celebrating what Aligarh achieved in the past, or are they helping to create what Aligarh should achieve in the future?

Confronting the present reality
The educational and socio-economic challenges facing sections of India’s Muslim population require serious attention. Educational disadvantage, unemployment, inadequate representation in professional fields, lack of access to quality schooling, insufficient economic opportunities and the continuing educational gap among girls and women cannot be addressed through speeches and resolutions alone.

AMU alumni possess the expertise to undertake evidence-based studies, identify priorities and implement measurable programmes.

There should perhaps be a worldwide AMU Alumni initiative devoted specifically to this purpose—a network that brings together educators, scientists, engineers, doctors, administrators, entrepreneurs, economists, lawyers, social workers and philanthropists to develop practical solutions.

A new Aligarh movement
The time has come to move from Aligarh nostalgia to Aligarh responsibility. Sir Syed confronted the crisis of his time with courage and imagination. The challenges before Indian Muslims today are different, but the principle remains the same: education, knowledge, scientific temper, social reform, economic empowerment and constructive engagement with the nation.

AMU alumni worldwide should therefore consider establishing a concrete strategy and ten-year roadmap for advancing the unfinished Sir Syed Mission.

The greatest tribute to Sir Syed would not be another Mushaira, reunion or commemorative dinner. It would be to identify a few major problems confronting the community, mobilise our collective knowledge and resources, and produce demonstrable results.

Let us not merely remain proud of what Aligarh gave us. Let us ask what, through Aligarh, we can now give back to society and to India. That would be the true meaning of being an Alig.