The Aligarh Alumni Association Washington DC (AAA-DC) held its annual Ramzan Fundraising program at the Senior Center of Rockville, Maryland.
More than 150 people representing the various community organizations, including the University of Karachi Alumni Association of Greater Washington Area and the Hyderabad Association of Metropolitan Washington Area attended the event. The goal of this program is to carry forward the aims of the Aligarh Movement toward bringing a positive social change in the community through education.
The Association has been fostering this cause since its inception in 1975. Through this program, the AAA-DC has been helping meritorious and needy students. So far, over 2800 students have availed opportunities at the AMU through AMU scholarship program since 1976. In addition, through the Feeder Program that was started in 2008, over 5000 students have benefited in other parts of India.
The program in Rockville Maryland began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Maryam Usmani and translation read by Ali Abdullah. The audience gave a big round of applause to these youngsters.
The AAA-DC Secretary-Elect Mohib Ahmad welcomed the audience and the proceedings were moderated by Haris Azmi, who was the Master of Ceremony. Aftab Ansari (Chairman Scholarship Committee), Razi Raziuddin (In-charge of Feeder Program), and Mohsin Khan (Member, Scholarship Committee) apprised the audience about recent status of their respective programs. The video presentation of personal accounts of the recipients and beneficiaries of the various program was very impressive.
Guest-speaker Sehar Raziuddin delivered an elegant and thought-provoking speech. Sehar, who has been a regular volunteer for AAA-DC events since her childhood with her parents, Drs. Arati and Razi Raziuddin, emphasized if the obligatory worship of fasting is combined with the additional great cause of educating people, the reward will be multifold.
Chief Guest Suhail Farooqui, an entrepreneur, and co-founder of So-Go Survey gave an emotional and eloquent talk and appealed to doing more for educational and humanitarian causes.
Suhai Farooqui’s family has a deep-rooted connection with the AMU and has been involved in promoting causes uplifting educational and social empowerment of the community.
A lifetime member and former office bearer of AAA-DC Atiya Khan, who is well-recognized for her valuable contribution to the growth of HDF (Human Development Foundation working for the improving quality of life in less developed areas) made a strong appeal to support the great cause taken up by AAA DC.
The association collected $45000 in the donation. Shakila Raza, a veteran volunteer for the association, thanked the donors, participants, and enthusiastic volunteers supporting a very important cause.
President of the association Rafat Husain coordinated the program effectively and it was very encouraging to see the active participation of the younger generation as leaders.
