RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Nizamuddin has said that Sir Syed struggled whole of his life to create awareness among the Muslims that how they can uplift their lives by acquiring modern education.

He was addressing a seminar to pay tribute to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan organized by Punjab University Pakistan Study Centre on Thursday.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir, great grandson of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Syed Muhammad Asadullah, Dean Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla, Acting Director Pakistan Study Centre, Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Prof Dr Aqdas Ali Kazmi 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.

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.

In his address, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Moeen Nasir said that Sir Syed’s vision and policy of pluralism played an important role in improving the relationship between the British rulers and the Muslims.

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.