SSUET celebrates Jauhar Day by launching book on Ali Brothers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Eminent speakers recalled the monumental services of the Jauhar Brothers during the freedom movement at a ceremony organized at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) to launch the book on the legendary Ali Brothers on the Jauhar Day. 

The function was presided over by Engr Adil Usman, Member, SSUET's Board of Governors, and Vice-President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA). 

The voluminous book has been authored by Khalid Ali, a senior Aligarhian, now settled in the United States of America (USA). The launching ceremony was held on the Jauhar Day which is observed by the SSUET on January 4 every year. 

The author, a grandson of Maulana Mohammed Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali Jauhar, acquired his education from the Aligarh Muslim University where he was elected as Union’s General Secretary in 1945 before joining the Provincial Muslim League Council. 

He also served as Attache of Pakistan in various countries. After migration to Pakistan he also had a stint with Dawn, the leading Karachi-based daily, besides working for the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for sometime. He had started his professional career as a journalist in India. 

In his address, Khalid Ali described the Ali Brothers as shining stars of the hopes of Muslims of South Asia and their political acumen and talent was also mentioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah and Mahatama Mohandas Gandhi. 

He mentioned that the struggle waged by Ali Brothers for the establishment of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia had been a ray of hope and inspiration in the hour of darkness. 

Khalid Ali observed that their greatness was a profound and unparallel example of love for the cause of Muslims and they were of the firm conviction to have an independent country where they had a few yards of land to live peacefully. 

In his speech on the occasion, Prof Shamim Akhtar opined that the book is not only a biography but an authentic piece of the history of sub-continent, adding that it has fully covered the life and achievements of the Ali Brothers, the prevailing conditions and trends. 

Prof Afsar Sultana described the book as the most important and valuable contribution highlighting the personalities of the Ali Brothers and their achievements and discussed the condition of Muslims in India at that time as well as events taking place during independence movement. 

Another eminent speaker, Azad Bin Hyder, remarked that Khalid Ali has done a great favour to the history of sub-continent by writing this book which can be described a masterpiece among the books written so far since 1947. 

Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi reckoned that the 16-chapters book thoroughly envelopes the lives and achievements of the Ali Brothers, freedom movement and their struggle. He recalled Jawahirlal Nehru having admitted that he learnt politics from Mohammed Ali Jauhar. 

On the occasion noted poet and Convenor SSUET’s Literary and Cultural Forum, Khumar Farooqui presented poetic homage to the Ali Brothers. The ceremony was also address by two university students Mohammed Umar Khan and Umar Ali Kazmi.

SSUET set to launch book on legendary Ali brothers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The voluminous book on the lives and accomplishments of the legendary Ali brothers, Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali, is set to be launched on January 4, 2013 under the auspices of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi.  

This was announced by the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Z A Nizami, following his meeting with the visiting noted peace activist, writer and critic from London, Sayeed Hasan Khan, on September 20.

Chancellor Nizami pointed out that the launch of the book on January 4 will coincide with the ‘Jauhar Day’ which the SSUET observes every year.

A book of about 600 pages been written by Khalid Alig, a prominent former diplomat, writer, journalist and thinker and a grand son of the Ali brothers, who now resides in the US.

“Even at the age of 90, Khalid Alig still drives his car and goes to the gym,” Sayeed Hasan Khan informed Chancellor Nizami during their meeting at the SSUET.

He was of the opinion that no one else other than Khalid Alig can throw light on the lives and achievements of the Ali brothers in a more better and authentic way and its launch at a venue named after the great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan would be the most appropriate occasion.

Sayeed Hasan Khan, who is a most close friend of Khalid Alig, lives in London for the last 50 years and as a writer he has produced two books namely ‘No Clear Hands” and ‘Kurt Jacobsen – Parables of Permanent War.’

Now-a- days he is writing a book based on his memoirs relating to the period of his migration from Breli (India), association with Muslim Students Federation in his teenage and the events which occurred before shifting to UK in 1961 and as a peace activist.

During his meeting with Chancellor Nizami, he also had an exchange of views with prominent Aligarhians and members of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA).