Ladies and Gentleman:
I want to sincerely thank my host, Professor Khwaja Mubin Ahmad, for inviting us here. I see a lot of energy, optimism and hope. All of you are doing a great job. Please continue your efforts.
One day you will be a successful alumnus, just like me. After you graduate, remember it’s your responsibility to serve your community. You need to nurture and develop your brothers and sisters so they too can cultivate the harvest of prosperity. Your vision and mission should be to help India’s Muslims to breakout of the vicious cycle of poverty.
India’s 140 million Muslims are falling behind in some very critical areas, including education. In some states, education and poverty indications show that Muslims have fallen behind even low-caste Hindus!
Poverty crushes one’s hope for self-improvement. Poverty fuels frustration. Poverty fuels desperation. The best way to eradicate poverty is through education. We need to train a generation of Muslims with the skills to excel as leaders. All of you — our future leaders — are the hope of tomorrow. You stand as role models for those yet to achieve their aspirations and dreams.
I am a generous contributor to the Aligarh Scholarship Program. I am deeply committed to education, especially for Muslims. Education empowers people and uplifts them from poverty. Education enhances the dignity of a human being, and increases his or her self esteem. Education, especially in today’s world, is a key ingredient for success, and it provides upward mobility economically, socially and culturally.
Thank you again for coming today. It is very gratifying to see how this scholarship program is helping you. You are an inspiration to all of us. I cherish the hope, dreams and aspirations of our young generation. Your success story resonates well with my commitment to the Aligarh Scholarship Program.
Let us fulfill Sid Syed’s vision and his mission. Let us keep his memory alive. Let us do our part to ensure that the dreams of future generations of Muslims shall never die.
If you wish to know more about me and my company, please visit my webpage at www.fiig.net .
God bless you.