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Sir Syed struggled to uplift Muslims through education: Dr Nizam
Sir Syed struggled to uplift Muslims through education: Dr Nizam


LAHORE: (Thursday, October 19, 2017): Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Nizamuddin has said that Sir Syed’s struggle focused to uplift his Muslim community through acquiring modern education. He was addressing a seminar to pay tribute to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan organized by Punjab University Pakistan Study Centre at Al Raazi Hall here on Thursday. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir, Dean Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla, Acting Director Pakistan Study Centre Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi, great grandson of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Syed Muhammad Asadullah, Prof. Dr. Aqdas Ali Kazmi, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion. Highlighting various contribution made by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the field of education, Prof. Dr. Nizam-uddin said that Sir Syed had remarkably written causes of Indian revolt to clarify the stance of Muslims. Dr. Nizam advised the students to study Sir Syed Ahmed Khan‘s services in field of education, religion and science. He said Sir Syed had inspired all the generations in the past and the future as well. Dr. Nizam lauded the efforts of Punjab University in organizing a seminar in collaboration with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s birth celebrations.

In his address, PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zafar Moeen Nasir said that among the galaxy of great men produced by India in the second half of the nineteenth century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was one of the most outstanding personalities. He said that his greatness was to be measured by his impression made on the society and the transitional effect on thoughts and actions of Muslims of India especially. He said that in the history of Muslim nationalism in India, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan stands out prominent as a thinker, reformer and a dynamic force promoting modern education, tolerance and consciousness. He said Sir Syed was a torchbearer of uplift of his community. He said further that Sir Syed’s vision and policy of pluralism helped the hostile British and the Muslims to improve their relationships. He said that Sir Syed was a moralist, a rationalist and a humanist and his institutions paved the way for modernity and a large-hearted tolerance. He said that the spirit of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s message clearly guided us even today to put all our energies to make this nation the great. He said that the message of Sir Syed was “educate, educate, educate”.
Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chawla threw light on religious contributions of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He said that when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started writing on religious aspect he faced five challenges – Christian’s missionary activities, Hindu Rival movement, Western education, political challenge and closed door of Ijtihad. He said that Sir Syed’s religious thoughts changed with the passage of time according to situation from traditionalist to apologist to modernists. He said Sir Syed was not a traditionalist but a rationalist and modernist. He said that Sir Syed tried to bridge the gap between ruler and ruled.
Dr. Amjad Magsi in his welcome address said that Sir Syed was one of the most dynamic personalities of 19th century. He said that Sir Syed was a scholar, social reformer, educationist, politician, author and journalist. He said that Sir Syed contributed many essential elements to the resurgence of modern India. Prof. Dr. Aqdas Ali Kazmi threw light on prohibition of Ribba and contribution of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He said that Sir Syed has a great contribution on ribba in Tafsir-ul-Qura'n written by him.
Great Grandson of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and convener of Rasala Tehzeeb-ul-Ikhlaq Syed Muhammad Asadullah said that the focus of Sir Syed’s contributions ranged from education for Muslim men and women, religious thoughts, comparative religion, social constructs, political power, modernity and modernization and its relevance to contemporary concerns and challenges. He explained Sir Syed’s vision about character building of the youth. He said that Sir Syed promoted interfaith harmony and unity at Aligarh and he also believed in the unity among various communities. He said that the youth of today’s Pakistan could adopt Syed Ahmad’s teachings and could become a successful Pakistanis.