Report of the Programme organised by AAS at Department of Islamic Studies

             The Aligarh Activists’ Society organised a Student’s Seminar on the topic “Concept of Human Rights in Islam”. A paper introducing the crux of the topic was presented by Zuhair, which was then followed by an intense discussion among the students present.

            The paper presented by Zuhair began with a preview to the approach of Human Rights, pointing out how Islam considers the rights of Humans in relation to one another and to society as having been ordained by Allah, the Creator and Almighty Himself. These rights are, therefore, inviolable and not subject to human discretion. It then went on to discuss some of the basic rights, such as Right to Life, Right to Safety of Life, Right to protect the Chastity of Women, Right to a Basic Standard of Life, etc.
After the presentation of this paper, the floor was thrown open and students actively came forward to present their views and counter-opinions.

SUCCESS TIPS

 Millions of people in the whole world are striving hard to become successful. Countless people suffer from tension, stress and strokes. But when they become successful, it goes to their head. They become swollen- headed and self centered. They think they are at the centre of the universe and that the whole world revolves around them. 

A person devoted to his duties never thinks of being inactive and he never curses his luck or fortune, nor does he complain of his limitations and insufficient means. He knows very well that making complaints is against the law of progress. He accepts himself as such and tries to make maximum use of his means and resources. 

Our latest seminar in Department of Islamic Studies

Aligarh Activists' Society is organising a seminar on "Concept Of Human Rights in Islam" on Thursday, 27th September at 12:30 pm at Conference Hall, Department of Islamic Studies...

CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS : A MYTH

             Everything seems coloured to a jaundiced eye. A goblet with a little wine in it can appear half filled to some and half empty to others. It is but a very natural thing for a person holding a chair of security advisor to view the happenings in the diplomatic scenario as a triumph of one and defeat of other, a progress of one bloc and the recede of the other and hence a total ‘clash of civilizations’ contending and striving for the acme. Under these state of affairs, one miserably fails to appreciate the beauty of inter-civilization interactions, cross-culture, pluralistic values and trespass of traditions and cultures. Lines and boundaries become more pronounced and cross-cultural buffer zones become hazy.  
              
             People unaware of repercussions of rifts and schisms will find Huntington s’ Clash of Civilizations enjoyable with the page turning urgency while the people of pacifist nature and those who advocates the principle of peaceful co-existence and reconciliations are left appalled. Taking into account the well- known and much hyped book of such a person holding the charge introduced in the beginning------------Samuel Huntington-----------it is quite mandatory to follow value free and pragmatic approach to prevent to get misinformed. While going through the pages of book in mention, it is much confirmatory conclusion that Huntington somehow agrees with Francis Fukuyama in the thought that there will be no ideological clashes after the collapse of USSR. But Huntington explores out a new possibility of clashes in the world i.e. clash of civilizations where cultures and religions will be the prime sources of conflict in international relations. He was about to proclaim the “crucial, indeed a central, aspect” of what “global politics is likely to be in the coming years”. Without a second thought he pressed on: “It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic.

Student Groups in A.M.U.

        There are many student groups in AMU which are doing their level best to bring about the revival in the status of this prestigious university, its cultural heritage, its intellectual heritage and various other glorious aspects of our beloved institution. But unfortunately, when I Googled "Student groups in AMU" I saw more links related to the clashes between different lobbies in our university. It is as if the only thing relevant with a query of student groups  are the "katta goons" out here and that make outsiders perceive that here is a dearth of student groups related to constructive activism. 

           I wrote this piece of information just to attempt to erase the blots the google search is putting on us. By clicking on this article & by recommending it further, you as a reader will be helping to get this article at the top of google search. 

You can further assist by performing these two steps.

1. Open www.google.com & type "Student Groups in AMU".

2. Out of the resulting queries only click on the link of this page which will be titled as "Aligarh Activists' Society : The "Official" Blog: Student Groups in AMU".

         While I am busy in cyber activism, I personally feel that we, as students of AMU, haven't used the full potential of Internet in conveying our voices to the world. A lot of work can be done on this front.

       In near future, I plan (if Almighty wills) to form a Cyber group of Aligarh Muslim University to promote a better image of A.M.U. and to eradicate the defaming links put up on the internet. Your views & comments are welcomed.

         I am also thinking of expanding this article and write about the different student groups like SIO, Eco-club, Helping Hands etc which are active in AMU. 

---->> As of Now this POST is ranked on 4th number (because of  many people who helped me out) with search query typed as "Student groups in AMU".

----->> I have created a page on the website of Aligarh Activists' Society on this topic, as a page is much more search engine friendly than a blog post. Click here to visit that page.

- By Ameen Ahmad

Email ID : ameenalig@gmail.com

The Memorandum Presented to the Honourable VC sahab

To,

The Vice Chancellor,

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

Sub: To respectfully draw your attention towards certain issues of democratic space and student activism in the campus

Sir,

WE THE Student Organisations working among students within the campus AT AMU, would like to jointly call your attention towards certain issues of campus democracy and student activism that affect all of us in the University.

These issues are:

1. Putting up posters and pamphlets in the University is prohibited unless prior permission has been granted from the Proctor’s office. WE FEEL THIS STEP HAMPERS THE FREE FLOW OF IDEAS BETWEEN STUDTENTS which is an essential part of campus life. Posters and pamphlets are essential VECTORS FOR DISSEMATION OF THOUGHTS AND MASS OUTREACH. While we do understand the need for regulation, the fact is that the need for prior permission deters many students from giving fruition to their ideas.AGAINST THE COMPULSORY prior permission, we propose that STUDENTS BE ALLOWED TO PUT UP THEIR POSTERS WITHOUT RESTRICTION AND SUBSEQUENTLY IF ANYTHING IS FOUND OBJECTIONABLE OR AGAINST PUBLIC INTEREST, IMMEDIATE AND APPROPRIATE ACTION BE TAKEN ACCORDINGLY. THIS IS WHAT IS BEING FOLLOWED AT OTHER CAMPUSES OF ESTEEMED INDIAN UNIVERSITIES AS WELL.

And as far as the issue of defacing of the University walls is concerned, WE STRONGLY OPPOSE IT AND REQUEST THAT the administration should designate certain spots, or put up notice boards, in front of the different faculties and important landmarks of the University where everybody may have the freedom to post their ideas. Any posters or pamphlets anywhere other than at the designated spots must then be prohibited. This would also make the work of regulation easier as the material to be checked would be concentrated at some known places.

2. THE SECOND ISSUE IS RELATED TO PROVIDING SPACE FOR ORGANISING VARIOUS EVENTS, DISCUSSIONS AND OTHERS AT VARIOUS HALLS, ETC AT AMU. AMU being one of the most intellectually sound campus in India has a highly vibrant student community that seeks to exercise its creative faculties by organizing debates, discussions, exhibitions and the like among themselves. This requires the use of spaces like halls, conference rooms, etc, WHICH AMU HAS AVAILABLE IN LARGE NUMBERS, but students in general are not easily allowed TO USE THEM. This becomes a real hindrance in the proper development of a student’s creative energy, and we request that the spaces within our campus be made easily available to all bona fide students of the University. The cost of using these spaces should be removed, with the provision that the student shall be liable for any damage caused during his/her use.

3. THE THIRD ISSUE WE WOULD LIKE TO RAISE IS REGARDING The Students’ Union elections AT AMU, which are unfortunately dominated by money and muscle power, and this has destroyed the very essence of student politics. We request YOUR GOOD SELF TO STRICTLY enforce the election code of conduct in its full spirit, as we are in full support of clean elections.

There are, apart from these, many other issues of great concern in the University. But these are, in our humble opinion, some of the most pressing in terms of student’s voice and the democratic ethos of this institution. We hope that you will take note of our concerns and give them your due attention.

Thank You,


Yours Sincerely,
From:
Students’ Islamic Organisation of India(SIO)
Students of AMU
Muslim Students’ Organisation(MSO)
Aligarh Activists’ Society(AAS)
AMU Discussion Forum(ADF)

Teesta Seetalvad Visiting A.M.U.

Dear Friends
You are cordially invited to a lecture by Ms. Teesta Setalvad on the topic " ENDING IMPUNITY, ASSURING ACCOUNTABILITY--GUJARAT 2002-2012" ON 15.9.2012(Saturday) at 10.30 a.m, at Cultural Hall, Maulana Azad library. The session will be presided over by the Honble Vice- chancellor, AMU Aligarh.

An Appeal to all stakeholders of AMU

This is with regard to the latest decision from the honourable Vice Chancellor of AMU to separate the Women’s College Union from the main students’ Union. AMU being a campus which provides freedom of opinion to everyone, a variety of opinions may exist in the campus regarding the relative merits and demerits of the decision. Everybody has the right to agree or disagree with it and freely express their point of view IN A MODEST WAY.

However some people at the campus relate this division of Unions to religion, which in no way has been a party to the decision. These people unnecessarily bring Religion into a matter that is purely administrative in nature.  They try to create a religion based debate and start maligning the people with other opinion on an issue which in no way has any religious foundation.

In this regard we request one and all to understand the nature of this decision and stop giving heed to any such defective opinion that drags religion into this issue.  Let there be no baseless arguments and any wastage of time, and that would be for the greater good of the campus. This is an administrative issue and needs to be dealt with in that way.

We request everyone in the campus to respect the opinion of every other person, regardless of it being contrary to your own opinion. We request everyone to desist from labeling others with abusive tags and join hands to create a healthy environment for free and modest discussions at the campus.

Students’ Islamic Organisation of India(SIO)
Students of AMU
Muslim Students’Organisation(MSO)                              
Aligarh Activists’ Society(AAS)
AMU Discussion Forum(ADF)