The Aligarh Alumni Association of New England, (AAANE) organized a dinner evening with Mr. Muzaffar Ali on 29th October 2006. It was an extremely successful, interactive and engaging event.

Mr. Syed Ali Rizvi, an active Aligarian compered the program. The program started with an introduction by AAANE President, Dr. Syed Musarrat Ali about AAANE, its mission and accomplishments. Dr. Musarrat highlighted the various events, lectures, workshops and social activities that are undertaken each year with the help of the ever-growing Association membership of Aligarians and Friends-of-Aligarh. In February, AAANE had invited India’s premier diplomat and former foreign Secretary, Salman Haider to speak on their Annual Sir Syed Day lecture, entitled “Peace in South Asia. This event was Amid loud applause, Dr. Musarrat informed the guests that AAANE has also recently instituted a scholarship program, Sir Syed Excellence in Life Sciences Award (SSELSA) for students at the Aligarh Muslim University.

Prof. Azra Raza, a world renowned Oncologist and Chief, Division of Hematology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, introduced Mr. Muzaffar Ali. Dr. Raza, President of Urdu Mehfil,  spoke eloquently in impeccable Urdu on Muzaffar Ali and his works laying emphasis on how he has kept alive the Lucknow culture so famous the world over for its tehzeeb, architecture and nawabi cuisine. She ended her speech by saying that she hoped that Muzaffar Ali will continue his exemplary work.

Muzaffar Ali, who in his soft spoken, casual speech, highlighted on his past works and seamlessly moved in to explain his latest passion on Sufi Music and his making of his most ambitious project, Rumi. He presented his work on Jalaluddin Rumi, the 14th century Sufi Poet.  “Breathe into Me” a 30 minute work-in-progress on Rumi was also screened and evoked a great interactive q & a session with the audience. Muzaffar Ali thanked Dr. Azra Raza for her fine presentation. He also laughingly thanked Ali Rizvi, who through his persistent efforts made this trip happen. He said that during their last visit to India, Ali Rizvi and Prof. Deeba Husain, an Ophthalmologist at Boston University Medical Center, had invited him to come to Boston and laid the foundation of this and future events.

During the discussion, Mr. Ali expressed his desire to promote his ideas and work in US. He said that there is a big need for America to look beyond consumerism and enterprise culture. He invited AAANE to collaborate & help him bring his all so important message to the West, which is so essential in the current times. AAANE is looking forward to working with him in his journey to create a world full of love, affection and oneness of mankind..

Muzaffar Ali, a painter and filmmaker deeply inspired by Sufism has developed a discerning eye and vision for aesthetics and humanity. He has established an in depth admiration for his creativity all over the world and follows his creative pursuits without compromise ~ music, fashion, craft, design…Muzaffar Ali has a vision of life and society. Driven by a sense of beauty and oneness of the human race, he dreams of a world in which love becomes a reigning concern... he dreams of the human condition in relationship to nature and believes that humility in art can become a vehicle for holistic emancipation of mankind. He is constantly looking for friends in this journey to share his vision and help society and in the process bring peace and health to themselves, and thereby perpetuate a larger movement.
He has received various recognitions and awards with Padma Sri being the latest.

Mr. Woodman Taylor, the Curator of Islamic Art and South Asia at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston, then addressed the gathering. To a thunderous applause, Mr. Taylor mentioned that he too had studied at Aligarh and therefore is an Aligarian. He invited the audience to become members of the MFA and support the various initiatives taken by the Museum to promote the richness of the arts and cultures of South Asia, particularly the Indian sub continent. He hoped that their will be enough excitement generated in the Boston community to make the Jahan-e Khusro event an annual feature. He thanked AAANE for taking the lead and propagating the message.

On this occasion, Surriya Hussain, a retired Professor of Urdu from Aligarh University, who was also the senior-most Aligarian present, gave away the Excellence and Achievement Award to Muzaffar Ali. Speaking on this occasion, she praised his work and his future project, Rumi and said the message of Rumi is so relevant today.

The guests for this program apart from members of AAANE were known names from Harvard University, Tufts university, Boston University, MIT, University of Massachusetts, Brown University, North Eastern University The Pakistani Association of Greater Boston (PAGB), Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE and Association of Pakistani Physicians of New England (APPNE). The youngest guest was, Master Sohaib,  a 1 year old in a stroller.

Bombay Club provided excellent decor and Indian cuisine charging the taste buds of everyone.
 

|