Zulfikar Ali Rather علیگ Official

09/05/2026

The family of the founders of the Women's College at Aligarh Muslim University. Of the daughters, Mumtaz Jahan Haider (far right) served as the Principal of the Women's College, Rashid Jahan was a famous writer and Khurshid Jahan (far left) acted in films as Renuka Devi before migrating to Pakistan in '47. Much of the family's early life is documented in Khurshid Jahan's autobiography (The Making of a Modern Muslim Woman: Begum Khurshid Mirza). Pic probably from 1949.

09/05/2026

30/04/2026

Proud Alumni J&K (AMU) Basharat Peer: Chronicler of Kashmir’s pain and global conscience. Born in 1977 in Seer Hamdan, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, Basharat Peer is a journalist, author, and screenwriter whose work has brought the human cost of conflict in Kashmir to global attention. His academic journey took him from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (Anantnag) to Aligarh Muslim University, University of Delhi, and finally Columbia University, where he studied journalism.
His memoir Curfewed Night (2008) is a landmark in South Asian non-fiction—an intimate, searing account of growing up amid insurgency and military occupation. The book won the Vodafone Crossword Book Award and is widely taught in universities worldwide.
Peer also co-wrote the screenplay for Haider (2014), Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set against the backdrop of 1990s Kashmir. The film was both critically acclaimed and culturally significant, sparking conversations about censorship, trauma, and truth.
Currently based in New York City, Peer serves as an Opinion Editor at The New York Times, continuing to write on South Asian politics, identity, and human rights.

28/04/2026

Dr. P.K. Abdul Aziz: Scientist, Administrator, and Aligarian Leader!! Dr. P.K. Abdul Aziz, born in Kerala in 1947, is a distinguished scientist and academic administrator who left a lasting mark on Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Trained in chemistry, he combined research excellence with visionary leadership, serving as one of AMU’s most respected Vice-Chancellors.

Association with AMU:
- Served as the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (2007–2012).
- Focused on modernizing infrastructure, expanding academic programs, and strengthening research culture.
- Advocated for transparency and accountability in administration, aligning with AMU’s mission of reform and excellence.
- His tenure emphasized student welfare, scholarships, and global collaborations, carrying forward Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s vision of education as empowerment.

Brief Stats & Legacy:
- PhD in Chemistry, with significant contributions to polymer science and materials research.
- Vice-Chancellor of AMU (2007–2012), later also served as VC of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
- Authored numerous research papers and guided doctoral students.
- Remembered as a leader who combined scientific rigor with educational reform.

Dr. P.K. Abdul Aziz’s journey shows how AMU continues to attract leaders who blend academic brilliance with administrative vision, ensuring the university remains a beacon of knowledge and reform.

11/04/2026

15/01/2026

Honoring the legacy of Professor Irfan Habib (b. 1931)!! A towering historian of modern India, Prof. Irfan Habib has been one of the most influential voices in historical scholarship and secular thought. His academic journey is deeply tied to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he served as Professor of History and later as Chairman of the Department of History. He also directed the Centre of Advanced Study in History at AMU, shaping generations of historians with his rigorous research and fearless intellect.

Career Highlights & Stats:
- Born: 1931, Baroda, Baroda State, British India
(now Vadodara, Gujarat, India)
- Professor of History, AMU – specialized in Medieval Indian History
- Chairman, Department of History, AMU
- Director, Centre of Advanced Study in History, AMU
- Author of landmark works including The Agrarian System of Mughal India (1556–1707) and Medieval India: The Study of a Civilization
- President of the Indian History Congress and recipient of multiple national and international honors
- Known for his strong advocacy of secularism, rationalism, and historical truth

Prof. Habib’s association with AMU reflects the Aligarian spirit of scholarship, courage, and intellectual leadership. His works continue to inspire students, researchers, and readers across the world, making him one of the most respected historians of our time.

Let us celebrate his contributions and honor his role in enriching AMU’s intellectual tradition.

01/01/2026

Shahzad Mohammad Khan (S.M. Khan) — distinguished civil servant, author, and proud Aligarian — is remembered for his integrity, intellect, and service to the nation. A senior officer of the Indian Information Service, he served as Director General of Doordarshan News and later as Director General of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). His journey began at Aligarh Muslim University, where he studied law and journalism, laying the foundation for his remarkable career.

Quick facts about S.M. Khan:
- Alma mater: Aligarh Muslim University (Law graduate, active in student life)
- Served in the Indian Information Service for over three decades
- Authored the acclaimed book The People’s President: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Represented India in various international media forums and conferences
- Remembered as a man of integrity, intellect, and humility, deeply respected in both government and academic circles

S.M. Khan’s association with Aligarh Muslim University reflects the institution’s tradition of nurturing leaders who excel not only in academics but also in public service. His legacy continues to inspire Aligs worldwide, reminding us that AMU’s corridors have produced voices of truth, intellect, and national pride.

🌹 Today, we celebrate S.M. Khan as an Aligarian whose service and scholarship enriched India’s media and intellectual landscape.

01/01/2026

Justice Augustine George Masih (born 1963) — a distinguished jurist and currently a Judge of the Supreme Court of India — stands as a proud Aligarian whose journey reflects intellect, discipline, and service to the nation. His rise from the classrooms of AMU to the highest court of the land is a testament to the university’s tradition of nurturing leaders in law and justice.

Quick facts about Justice Augustine George Masih:
- Alma mater: Aligarh Muslim University — B.Sc. (Hons.) and LL.B. (Hons.)
- Began his legal career in 1987, enrolled with the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana
- Served as Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court (2008–2023)
- Appointed Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court (May–Nov 2023)
- Elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 9 November 2023
- Known for expertise in Constitutional Law, Service Law, Labour Law, and Civil Law

Justice Masih’s journey from Saifuddin Tahir High School, Aligarh to Aligarh Muslim University, and then to the Supreme Court, reflects the enduring legacy of AMU in shaping minds that lead with wisdom and integrity. His career is a source of pride for Aligs worldwide, reminding us that AMU’s heritage continues to shine in the highest institutions of justice.

Today, we celebrate Justice Augustine George Masih as an Aligarian whose dedication to law and justice inspires generations.