Sharjah, UAE, November 4, 2026: In keeping with the tradition of celebrating the alma mater and the contribution of their university, the UAE-based alumni of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are all set to celebrate the 209th birth anniversary of AMU’s founder, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, on November 14 at Hotel Holiday International, Sharjah. The chief guest will be Haji Kamruddin, founder and chairman of Servokon System Pvt Ltd, India.
With more than 9,000 AMU alumni working in the United Arab Emirates in various capacities, the occasion has traditionally been a way to come together and thank their alma mater and its founder for the educational uplift that they have achieved. The alumni proudly highlight the UAE’s connection with Aligarh Muslim University, dating back to Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid the groundwork for this relationship in 1975 when he visited AMU and made a generous donation to establish the Petroleum Studies Department.
An alumnus of AMU, Mr ZI Sherwani, founder and chairman, Cordova Group of Companies, noted that “We take this opportunity to come together and renew connections through a family gathering. It also helps us stay updated on the various opportunities provided by the UAE and how we can utilize them. To gather in the UAE is a traditional attempt to thank the nation for providing us with fabulous opportunities and prove the potential of our educational institution at a higher level. The annual gathering has been a fruitful platform where we get to meet the huge talent pool from the esteemed university. As we operate in various sectors in the UAE, the platform has been helpful to us in getting in touch with the like-minded alumni.”
The event highlights the deep-rooted connections between AMU and the UAE, emphasizing the university’s influence and its alumni’s contributions. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has long supported good relations with India. His father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, laid the groundwork for this relationship in 1975 when he visited AMU and made a generous donation to establish the Petroleum Studies Department. Sheikh Zayed recognized India’s potential as a major consumer of Abu Dhabi’s oil and saw the value in leveraging its human resources for research and innovation in energy.
Organizer Asim Fareed noted that such gatherings help strengthen community bonds in a land far from home, where every helping hand matters. “We are thankful to our university for instilling a sense of oneness among the alumni, making it easier for everyone to contribute efficiently towards the development and progress of the nation we are working in,” he added.
Atiq Khan, from the organizing committee, said, “This celebration is a testament to the spirit of AMU that transcends borders. Every year, we see our alumni come together not just to honor our history but to renew our pledge to support AMU’s future and to inspire the next generation to carry forward Sir Syed’s vision.”
The event will feature cultural performances, discussions on the role of education in shaping futures, and opportunities for alumni to connect and collaborate on initiatives, reinforcing AMU’s global reach and the collective commitment to its mission of education and empowerment.
“This annual gathering helps us renew our shared goals and work towards empowering the youth who reach the shores of the UAE every year in search of better opportunities. The occasion also allows us to deliberate on professional aspects that can help us contribute positively towards the development of the UAE and how we can be in sync with the goals set by the government,” said Qamar Sherwani, AMU Alumnus.