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Following last year's unified Sir Syed Day celebration that sparked hopes for a united gathering, UAE-based alumni of India's Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are once again split, with two separate events scheduled this year. These events, which pay tribute to the birth of AMU’s founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, are set to occur on October 19 and October 26, reigniting the long-standing division within the alumni community. For years, AMU alumni in the UAE, commonly referred to as Aligs, were divided into two factions, each organizing their own Sir Syed Day celebrations. While last year's joint program was viewed as a positive step towards unity, this year sees a return to separate commemorations.
With around 5,000 AMU alumni residing in the UAE, and double that number across the GCC, the division underscores concerns about factionalism during a time traditionally marked by solidarity. Globally, AMU alumni unite on October 17 to honor Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898), a 19th-century visionary and educationist. However, the UAE will witness the annual Sir Syed Day dinner divided between two distinct events, once more raising questions about alumni unity.
Mohammad Haroon Akmal, representing The Proud Aligs AMU Alumni organizing committee for the October 19 event at Hotel Holiday International in Sharjah, dismissed any suggestion of division. He stressed that their mission remains unified, despite the multiple events. "Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a legend whose vision transcends time and borders. Our aim is to celebrate his legacy, and if there are more celebrations, then it's even better—the more, the merrier. We are all working towards the same goal: honoring the man who revolutionized education for generations of Muslims in India and beyond," said Akmal.
Imad Malik, CEO of Sharaf Exchange and a former AMU student, reiterated the lasting significance of Sir Syed’s contributions. "In over 200 years, no one has come close to Sir Syed's vision, and frankly, we need more Sir Syeds to transform the education of our community in India. His university has touched countless lives, including many of us in the UAE who now hold respected positions," Malik said.
The October 19 event will feature DS Chauhan, a senior administrative officer in the Indian government, and Rizwan Sajan, founder of the Danube Group, as guests of honor. The evening will include a performance by AMU Drama Club alumni and stand-up comedy by Rehman Khan.
The October 26 event at Coral Beach Resort in Sharjah, organized by SM Qutub Rehman from the Aligarh Muslim University Alumni, UAE, will welcome Dr Naima Khatoon, vice chancellor of AMU, as a guest of honor. Rehman supported the idea of two events, citing the large number of alumni in the UAE. "Considering how many Aligs we have here, two events are good. Even in Aligarh, they don’t do a centralized event. If anyone is unable to attend one event, they can attend the other and vice versa," Rehman explained.
However, many long-time alumni believe that Founder's Day should always be observed under one banner. "Hosting two events only exacerbates divisions and contradicts the very principles of unity and brotherhood that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan stood for," said one alumni member who wished to remain anonymous. He noted that he has avoided previous events to steer clear of any particular group.
Sir Syed Ahmad Taqvi Bin Syed Muhammad Muttaqi, more commonly known as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, is celebrated as the pioneer of modern education for Indian Muslims. In 1875, he established a school that later evolved into the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University. Located in Aligarh, India, AMU now boasts around 30,000 students, continuing to influence lives globally, including those of its many alumni in the UAE.
