The association between Aligarh Muslim University and the du`aat mutlaqeen dates back over 7 decades since, in 1946, the AMU presented the 51st Da`i Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA with its Doctor of Theology degree. In 1953, Syedna Saifuddin accepted the university’s chancellorship and held it for nearly 12 years until his passing. Under Syedna Saifuddin’s RA guidance, Aligarh Muslim University prospered and increased its reputation as a world-class place of learning and solidified its position amongst the top ranking institutions in the nation.
During his tenure, the leaders of four Muslim countries visited Aligarh where Syedna presented them with honorary doctorates: in 1955 His Majesty King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, in 1956 His Majesty Raza Shah Pehlavi, Shahanshah of Iran, in 1958 His Majesty King Zahir Shah, King of Afghanistan and in 1960 His Excellency Gamal Abdel Nasir, President of Egypt. In this way, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA brought prestige and international renown to AMU and positioned it as a focal point for fostering harmony and brotherhood within the Muslim ummah.
After succeeding his father as Da`i and within the first year of his accession, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA visited Aligarh. During this visit in 1966, the university honoured him as they did his esteemed father before him and presented him with the very same degree: Doctor of Theology, honoris causa. With this visit, Syedna Burhanuddin RA continued the legacy that Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA had established and strengthened the long-standing relationship between the Dawoodi Bohra community and this respected establishment.
In 1999 the university again approached Syedna to lead the institution. Syedna Burhanuddin RA accepted the chancellorship in 1999 and held it for one term.
Today, this legacy continues with the 53rd Da`i Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. Barely a year had passed after the passing of Syedna Burhanuddin RA when the AMU approached Syedna Saifuddin TUS in a gathering in Raudat Tahera and requested that he, like his esteemed father and grandfather before him, accept the chancellorship of the university. A few months later in April 2015 Syedna TUS was elected and declared chancellor by AMU. Where previously no father and son had been chosen as AMU’s chancellor, now three generations of fathers and sons from the same family had assumed the mantle.
Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS visited Aligarh Muslim University on 27th February 2016 to preside over its 63rd annual convocation ceremony. He addressed a gathering of Aligarh’s faculty and students and and impressed upon them the need to pursue excellence in all fields of education, to commit the Qur’an to memory and to do unto others as they would have done unto themselves. He stressed the ideal of ‘doing good to those who have done ill to you’ and commended the vast array of achievements that students both past and present had attained.
Syedna’s TUS visit to Alighar reflects the value the du`aat mutlaqeen have historically attached to education and the engendering of mutual understanding and concord both within the Muslim community and with other communities. It showcased their commitment to the betterment of all of mankind through values that he constantly speaks of in his sermons and counsel.
Aligarh Muslim University – at a Glance
Founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who established the MAO College in 1877. This was upgraded to university status in 1920.
LOCATION: Uttar Pradesh
CAMPUS SPREAD ON: 467.6 Hectares of Land
FIRST HEAD MASTER: Mr. H.G.I Siddon
FIRST VISITOR: Mr.Mahendra Singh , Maharaja of Patiala
FIRST CHANCELLOR: Her Highness Sultan Jahan Begum of Bhopal
FIRST VICE CHANCELLOR: Mr.Mohammed Ali Mohammed Khan, Raja of Mahmoodabad
FIRST GRADUATE: Babu Ishwari Prasad in January 1881
FIRST LIFE MEMBER OF AMU STUDENTS UNION: Mahatma Gandhi
NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: 28000
NUMBER OF ACADEMIC STAFF: 1342
NUMBER OF SCHOOL STUDENTS: 5588
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 7540
NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS: 30
NUMBER OF HALLS OF RESIDENCE OF FACULTIES: 19
NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS OF STUDIES: 111
NUMBER OF COURSES: 350
AFFILIATION: UGC , AIU
VICE CHANCELLOR: Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah
