2024 Sir Syed Day and Min-Mushaira Report
Saturday, October 19, 2024; 6:30 – 11:30 pm
Falak Restaurant and Banquets 223 E Roosevelt Road, Lombard, IL 60148
The registration and social hour started at 6:00 pm. Appetizers were served and the dinner started at 6:40.  The program started at 7:30  pm with recitation of Qur’an and English translation (verses 1-5, Chapter 96, Al-Alaq ) by Ayrah Sayeed. Dr. Ahmadullah Siddiqi, the program convener, welcomed the guests and shared a brief biography of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan whose birthday we were celebrating. He reminded the audience about the importance of carrying out the legacy of the founder of our Alma mater, the Aligarh Muslim University. This was followed by a power  point presentation by the AMUAAGC President Dr. Zafeer Ahmad.  Dr. Zafeer reported about Hira Public School completion of  educational projects that were funded by our association in 2023-2024.  He also noted that currently the association is supporting a project at the Aligarh Modern School in Aligarh, U. P.  and another project by Anwarul Uloom School in Bhopal, M. P. for renovation of the school building is under review. 
Dr. Israr Ansari introduced the keynote speaker,  Dr. Masood Akhtar, a well accomplished businessman, philanthropist and social activist who also leads an NGO, We Are Many, United Against Hate. The keynote speech was very inspiring and enlightening. Dr. Akhtar encouraged the participants to be socially engaged, active, and contributing to the wellbeing of the community and the nation. He gave many examples of his own endeavors and involvement in various civic engagement projects and issues at local, state and national levels.
Awards were presented by the President, Dr. Zafeer Ahmad and the Board Chair, Dr. Ahmadullah Siddiqi to the keynote speaker, Dr. Masood Akhtar and to Dr. Asefa Ansari, one of the senior most members of AMUAAGC who has served as Secretary and the Vice President of the association. Dr. Asefa was recognized  for her services to the community and the association. The award ceremony was followed by AMU Tarana that was presented under the leadership of Dr. Shakil Khan along with many members. The Sir Syed Day Program came to an end with a vote of thanks by the association’s Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Fazle Alam.
The Mushaira started at 9:45 pm. It was presided over by Dr. Ahmadullah Siddiqi and conducted by Mr. Amin Haider. Mr. Amin Haider welcomed everyone and invited all the poets on the stage.  This year all the poets were from the Greater Chicago area.  They included Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Anjum, Mr. Nazar Naqvi, Dr. Lateef Saif, Mr. Mahboob Ali Khan, Mr. Kashif Haider, Mrs. Sajida Kazmi, and Mr. Iftekhar Sahil.  In his presidential remarks Dr. Ahmadullah Siddiqi emphasized that Mushaira is an important part of the cultural traditions in India and Pakistan.  It is not simply a means of entertainment; it is a medium through which poets reflect upon the social conditions of the society and describe it in a poetic form. He said that AMUAAGC organized the first Mushaira some 37 years ago in 1987.  Since then, we continue to organize Mushairas on a yearly basis.  After this Mr. Amin Haider took over the charge of conducting the Mushaira and invited poets one at a time to the podium to share their poetry.  The audience thoroughly enjoyed the rich quality of poetry that dealt with a variety of social and cultural issues. The Mushaira concluded at about 11:30 pm.
This year the Sir Syed Day and Mushaira was attended by more than 150 people including many young Aligarians who recently moved to the greater Chicago area.