Plymouth, MI: On Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the Michigan chapter of Jamia Millia Islamia alumni celebrated the university’s 104th Foundation Day at the Plymouth Public Library. The event brought together approximately 40 participants from the local community and guests from the Chicago chapter, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among alumni. Participants were from five other local Michigan organizations of Urdu speakers from our Indian subcontinent, along with Michigan and Chicago alumni.
Dr. Arifa Javed of the Jamia Alumni Michigan chapter organized the program. A Professor of Sociology, Dr. Javed has been living in Michigan for nearly 30 years and is well known in the community for her active involvement in various social initiatives. She worked tirelessly to ensure the event's success, personally reaching out to invite attendees. The idea for the Bait Bazi competition was entirely her own, aiming to keep the culture of Jamia alive in a foreign land.
During the event, Dr. Arifa Javed spoke about the rich history of Jamia Millia Islamia and paid tribute to its founders, acknowledging their vision of promoting nationalism and providing education to the community. She emphasized that Jamia Millia Islamia is a unique institution, celebrated for its composite culture and pluralistic approach that embraces all cultures and sections of society.
The celebration commenced with a recitation of the Quran by Tauheed Khan Mohd, setting a respectful tone for the occasion. This was followed by an engaging documentary showcasing Jamia Millia Islamia's history over the past century. Attendees, particularly those passionate about Urdu, enjoyed learning about the university’s growth and its significant contributions to education and research.
A highlight of the event was the performance of the "Tarana-e-Jamia," sung by alumni from Michigan and guests from the Chicago chapter, including Rizwan Ali, Mohd Qamar, and Mosoodullah, who traveled from Chicago. A fun aspect of the celebration was the Bait Bazi competition, where participants recited memorized Urdu couplets, demonstrating their poetic talents in a friendly contest. A special moment occurred when 92-year-old alumnus Anis Ahmed, who attended Jamia Millia Islamia in 1942, joined the celebration, reminding everyone of the university's enduring legacy.
The Chicago chapter also provided updates about their initiatives, including a scholarship program that has supported needy students for the past 10 years, helping around 70 deserving students each year and emphasizing the need to continue this support for students at Jamia Millia Islamia.
The event was attended by a Jamiaite couple, Ashraf and Iram, both graduates of Jamia Millia Islamia, who are now settled in Michigan.
The program concluded at 4:30 p.m. with a thank-you speech by Tauheed Khan Mohd, who expressed gratitude to everyone for their efforts in keeping the Urdu language and culture alive in the U.S. This celebration not only marked an important milestone for Jamia Millia Islamia but also strengthened the connections among its alumni, reinforcing their commitment to the university’s values.
