Dr Frank Islam to be chief guest at Sir Syed Day 2019 celebration at AMU

Aligarh: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alumnus, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, civic leader, writer and head of the FI Investment Group, USA; Dr Frank Islam will be the Chief Guest on the Sir Syed Day, 202nd birth anniversary commemorations of AMU founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, to be celebrated on October 17.

He will arrive for the celebrations at the Athletics Ground in an iconic four wheel Victoria horse-drawn carriage with splendour and pomp. AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor will accompany the Chief-Guest to the venue, where they will be received by Riding Club members.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mansoor will deliver the welcome address, while the Chief Guest will also speak during the function.

Dr Farhan Nizami will receive the Sir Syed Excellence Award for The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in the international category.

The Sir Syed Excellence Award in the national category will be conferred upon Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy. Prof Ishtiaq Ahmad Zilli will receive the award on behalf of the academy.

AMU Registrar, Mr Abdul Hamid (IPS) will read the citations for the awardees.

Dr Sheeba Hamid, Department of Commerce and Prof Syed Sirajuddin Ajmali, Department of Urdu will deliver the English and Urdu speeches respectively on teachings, philosophy, works and mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Two AMU students will also deliver speeches.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mansoor will confer the Innovation Council Awards to faculty members; while the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Akhtar Haseeb will give the Young Phd Scholar Awards.

The Chief Guest, Dr Islam will hand over the prizes to the winners of the All India Essay Writing Competition. MD Farrukh Ilyas will receive the first prize. Mamdooh Abdul Fathah and Hunaiza Mushtaq will be given the second and third prizes respectively.

Prof Shamsul Haque Siddiqui, Dean Students’ Welfare will extend the vote of thanks followed by the University Tarana and the National Anthem.

The proceedings of the day will begin with a Quran Khwani (Quranic Recitation) after the Fajr (Day Break) prayer at the University Mosque. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mansoor with faculty members and officers of the University will also pay a floral tribute at the Mazaar (grave) of Sir Syed following the traditional ritual of ‘Chadar Poshi’.

Prof Mansoor will inaugurate an ‘Exhibition of Books and Photographs’ pertaining to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at the Sir Syed House at 9:00 am. The exhibition will be jointly organised by Maulana Azad Library and Sir Syed Academy.

Sir Syed Dinners to mark the occasion will also be held at all the halls of residences.