AS we celebrate Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s birthday today (Oct 17), we would do well to take some time out and think hard about the education crisis in the country despite having a rich history of knowledge and wisdom. Sir Syed, who was a visionary, writer, and social reformer of the Indian subcontinent, left a legacy in the field of education that is hard to ignore. Have we done justice to that legacy?

Born in 1817, in Delhi, Sir Syed is regarded as the founder of modern Muslim education in the subcontinent. He devoted his life to the betterment of the Muslim community, and played

a significant role in shaping the modern history of the region. A man of exceptional intellectual abilities, he was well-versed in Arabic, Persian and Urdu, and had a deep understanding of Islamic theology and jurisprudence.

Although Sir Syed built several other academic institutions, the most significant of his contributions was the establish-ment of the Aligarh Muslim University, which was initially known as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College. The institution was founded in 1875, long before it finally became a university, and played a pivotal role in promoting modern education among the Muslims. Sir Syed believed that education was the key to the social, economic and political progress of the community, and he worked tirelessly to promote a modern, scientific and rational approach to education.

Instead of politics, Sir Syed had advised Muslim youth to seek education first. Today, in Pakistan the young tend to focus on politics even during their academic career. Those who focus on education ultimately leave Pakistan for better opportunities abroad, leaving behind those who believe in some kind of vigilantism out of their misplaced zeal for some political or religious entity. Instead of books, the new generation spends

the whole day and, indeed, a good part of the night, on social media platforms. There is hardly any chance at all of developing critical thinking or intellect in such a lifestyle.

Are we today following in the footsteps of visionaries like Sir Syed, who emphasised education for progress? I wonder where the nation might end up if its young generation fails to determine its priorities before it gets too late.

Imama Khalid
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2023