A MEETING was organised by Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Maharashtra (AMUAAM) on July 15, 2012, in Mumbai, to discuss the revival of ‘Aligarh Movement’, State’s lukewarm response to AMU Campus in Aurangabad, building of ‘Syed House’ in Mumbai and other pertinent issues.
The former Vice Chancellor, P.K. Abdul Aziz, with a direction from central government had decided to open five campuses of AMU in different parts of India, and Maharashtra was one of them. The site had been finalised by the university officials a long time back and the indication of the same had been forwarded to the state government to allot the site to University. The state government has so far shown no interest in expediting the process because of which campus construction has yet to start. AMUAAM has decided to put this issue on its lists of priority and to take it up with the state government. A committee has been formed to address the same.
Regarding building of Sir Syed House in Mumbai, Tanweer Alam, President AMUAAM, has requested and appealed to all Aligs across the globe and Maharashtra in particular to come forward to help realise this dream. Proposed Sir Syed House will act as a multipurpose Hall which can be used for organising Sir Syed Day dinner, meetings, conferences, seminars and would be a centre of AMU related activities in Mumbai..
Anwar Hussain in his introductory note emphasise the need to revive the ‘Aligarh Movement’ and the role Aligs can play. He said that in the globalised world it is essential to know about one’s identity vis-a-vis Islam, democracy, pluralism and how to respond towards India and the world. He also appealed to Aligs to take up social reform projects and programmes addressing underprivileged section of the community.
Advocate Imran Siddiqui spoke about the aims and objectives of AMUAAMand the road map to achieve them.
Farid Khan suggested a more active and responsible role of AMUAAM in handling issues pertaining to community development especially in the field of education and economic reforms. Shakeel A. Khan in his address said that the opening of AMU campus will herald in a renaissance among Muslim in Maharashtra. Tabassum highlighted the issue of girl’s education among Muslims and its decline especially in higher education.
Dr. Saheb Ali, Head of Urdu Department, Mumbai University, threw light on the role of Aligarh movement in the aftermath of 1857 revolt. He mentioned that the genocide of Muslims after 1857 revolt had affected Sir Syed greatly and hence he started social and educational reform movements among Muslims.
AMUAAM also passed a resolution condemning massacre of Rohingyas in Myanmar.