Dept. of Arabic and Persian at AU hosted celebration to honour the legacy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
On October 17, 2024, the Department of Arabic and Persian at the University of Allahabad hosted a celebration to honour the legacy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, commemorating Sir Syed Day. The event highlighted Sir Syed’s immense contributions to education, particularly his efforts in modernizing education for all and advocating for scientific knowledge.
The program commenced with recitation of the Holy Quran by Mohd. Saad, student of the M.A. Arabic, followed by a welcoming address by Dr. Mahmood Mirza, an Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic and Persian. He spoke about Sir Syed’s dedication to bridging the gap between modern and traditional education, emphasizing how his vision remains relevant even today.
The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Neelofar Hafeez, an Assistant Professor at the Department and an expert on Sir Syed’s life and works, who underscored his contributions to both education and society, focusing on his role in promoting rationalism and scientific inquiry within the Indian community.
Students of the Arabic department actively participated by presenting papers and speeches, drawing parallels between Sir Syed’s educational reforms and the modern challenges faced by today’s youth. One of the highlights was a presentation on the influence of Sir Syed’s philosophy on the Arabic and Persian languages and its studies in Indian universities.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mohd. Amjad, a research scholar of the Department and a tribute to Sir Syed’s unshakable commitment to uplifting the Indian community through knowledge. The celebration not only honoured Sir Syed’s memory but also inspired students and faculty members to continue his mission of educational reform.
The event was a resounding success, leaving all attendees deeply motivated by Sir Syed’s legacy.
Students and Research scholars of the Department were present in large numbers mainly, Mufti Mohd. Qasim, Maulana Natiq, Rizwan Ahmad, Gilani, Abdurrahman Maaz, Salman Farsi, Mohd Nasir, Hira Khan, Saba Naeem etc.