AMU alumni in Auckland, New Zealand, and the university’s schools in Aligarh marked Sir Syed Day 2026 with tributes, cultural programmes and competitions. The AMU Centre, Malappuram also held a five-day series of competitions, the university said on 19 October 2026.
Alumni in New Zealand among the first to celebrate
AMU alumni, their families and friends gathered at Devonport Community House in Auckland to mark the 209th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Since New Zealand is among the first countries to enter 17 October, the gathering was part of the first wave of Sir Syed Day celebrations worldwide.
- Programme: speeches on Sir Syed’s educational mission, the University Tarana, quizzes, children’s activities, poetry and ghazals
- Video message: AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Naima Khatoon
- Video greetings: former Indian hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist Zafar Iqbal, film director Anubhav Sinha, former BBC journalist Qurban Ali, Prof. MM Sufiyan Beg, social media influencer Mujeeb Akhtar and former AMU fast bowler Bayer Mustafa Khan
- Chief Guest: Jawaid Akmal
- Attendance: 125 guests and their families
- Best dressed: Saeedur Rahman (men, in a traditional AMU sherwani) and Sarah Ather (women)
Mohammad Ather was master of ceremonies and Safwan Mirza Beg presented a ghazal. The event was led by Mohammad Ather and Mohammad Afraaz Siddiqui, with support from Nawed Ali Khan, Safwan Mirza Beg, Saleem Nisar, Sana Ur Rahman Kidwai, Nasir Ahmad and other volunteers. The organisers thanked India Newslink and The Indian Weekender for their coverage, which helped them reach other Aligs in New Zealand.
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Read how Mumbai’s AMU alumni marked Sir Syed Day 2026, and our report on the main celebration at AMU.
AMU schools in Aligarh
AMU City Girls’ High School
The school observed a Sir Syed Day celebrations week under Officiating Principal Md. Javed Akhtar.
- Inter-school painting: Vivek Kumar of STS High School won first prize in portrait making, and Ayesha Nazim of AMU City Girls’ High School won first prize in building making.
- A ‘Food Without Fire’ competition was held.
- Humera of Class X-A spoke on Sir Syed’s life and educational philosophy.
- The Blue House special assembly was planned by House Mistress Dr. Huma Siddiqui with Ms. Ruhi Sultan and Ms. Shibra Inam, and conducted by Shariqa Khan (IX-B) and Umme Hani (IX-C).
AMU ABK High School (Boys)
The school gave away prizes to winners and runners-up of the inter-school sports tournament. Prof. S. M. Javed Akhter of the Department of Economics was Chief Guest. Dr. Ali Jafar Abidi, MIC Conservancy, and Dr. Mohd. Mohsin Khan, Coordinator, NSS, were Guests of Honour. Officiating Principal Mr. Afroz Ali welcomed the guests and congratulated sports coordinators Mr. Raies Ahmad, Md. Imran Khan and Nida Usmani.
Senior Secondary School (Girls)
The school held a prize distribution for winners of inter-school competitions held as part of the celebrations. Prof. Mohd. Azam Khan, Deputy Director, Directorate of School Education, congratulated the winners. Principal Mrs. Naghma Irfan said achievement lay not only in winning prizes but also in overcoming challenges and learning from them.
AMU ABK High School (Girls)
A special assembly featured student speeches, a quiz on Sir Syed and the Aligarh Movement, and a skit on his life and reform work. Mr. Mahtab Ahmad and Dr. Md. Sadique Akhter spoke on his promotion of modern and scientific education. Vice Principal Dr. Saba Hasan urged students to cultivate scientific temper. Inter-house painting and bouquet-making competitions were also held.
AMU Centre, Malappuram
The Malappuram centre held a five-day programme of competitions under convener Dr. Hamza V.K., covering essay writing, speech, poetry recitation in Urdu, English, Hindi and Malayalam, display boards, posters and models, along with an art gallery of calligraphy, painting and sketching.
- English speech: Ahmad Zayan (B.A. LL.B. First Year) first, Alisha Raza (B.A. LL.B. Fourth Year) second, Ifrah Fatima (B.A. LL.B. Fourth Year) third
- Urdu poetry recitation: Alisha Raza first, Abdul Qais (B.A. LL.B. Third Year) second, Ahmad Zayan third
- Malayalam poetry recitation: Muhammed Jasir M. P. (B.Ed. Second Year) first
- English essay: Rushil Rumaisa Fatima (Law Fourth Year) first, Sidra Waseem (Law Fifth Year) second, Faiza Zia (M.B.A. Second Year) third
- Hindi essay: Mohd. Masud Alam (Law Fourth Year) first
The main Sir Syed Day function at the centre was held on the evening of 17 October 2026 and presided over by Prof. M. Shahul Hameed, Director of the Centre. Dr Anver P.C., Executive Director of IQRAA International Hospital and Research Centre, Kozhikode, was the Special Guest. Dr Lubna Ansari, General Convener of the celebrations, gave the welcome address, and Dr. Sabeena P.S., Joint Convener, proposed the vote of thanks.
Frequently asked questions
Where did AMU alumni in New Zealand celebrate Sir Syed Day 2026?
At Devonport Community House in Auckland, with about 125 guests and their families.
Which birth anniversary of Sir Syed was marked in 2026?
The 209th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, on 17 October 2026.
Which AMU schools held Sir Syed Day events?
AMU City Girls’ High School, AMU ABK High School (Boys), Senior Secondary School (Girls) and AMU ABK High School (Girls).
Source: AMU Public Relations Office, 19 October 2026.
