Speaking during the prestigious “Sir Syed Day 2022” celebration in Riyadh, Arfa Khanum Sherwani was representing the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA). She referred to taking away peoples’ freedoms as a dying democracy. The first requirement of democracy is equality, and injustice committed against one group in society is equivalent to wrong committed against the entire country. According to Arfa, India’s governmental authority cannot drive out the majority of the population. However, these forces are successful in enslaving individuals to mental servitude and depressing them. Muslims need to guard against these sectarian forces.
Muslims in India at the time of the partition chose to stay in Gandhi’s India over Jinnah’s Pakistan because they felt safer there. It demonstrates their unwavering trust in the Indian Constitution. She claimed that Dalits are still fighting for their legitimate social standing. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar worked to awaken this knowledge in them, whilst Sir Syed Ahmed Khan did the same for Muslims.
“The government organizations have given in to a specific ideology. The cost of exercising one’s right to free speech is high nowadays. The bad aspect is that by voting for them, we are putting oppressors on ourselves. According to Mrs. Sherwani, we are all here today with the same level of expertise. Sir Syed’s faith is knowledge, and even in the direst situations, he chose to write rather than use force. To complete his purpose, he had to overcome challenges.
In his presidential address, well-known athlete Zafar Iqbal stated that while most people view sports as a waste of time, they had to be taught in schools. He argued that sports should receive adequate attention from parents and educational institutions. Qari Hasan Mansoor recited the Holy Quran to begin the session. Marghub Mohsin, the event’s moderator, made some introductory comments before President AMUOBA In addition to wishing everyone a warm welcome, Abrar Hussain asked the Alig community to remember Sir Syed and carry out its obligations.
Dr. Inamul Haq Azmi, Farhat Tasneem Rizvi, and Abdul Khalaq also spoke at the gatehring. The message from the chief guest, Naseem Ahmed, MLA (UP), who was unable to attend owing to certain unavoidable circumstances, was read out by Taqiuddin Mir. Former AMUOBA presidents, Guest of Honor Zafar Iqbal, and Chief Guest Arifa Khanum Sherwani all received commemorative plaques of recognition. The honorable visitors distributed the AMUOBA yearly directory, which included a list of Alig’s residents in Riyadh. Marghoob Mohsin, general secretary of AMOUBA, eloquently served as the event’s host. Voting for thanks was made by Vice President Najamul Hasan.
