Syed Ameer Ali: A visionary man and an Indian Muslim leader who straddled Eastern and Western Worlds with ease

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By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Syed Ameer Ali was a unique man in his era. Roots in Awadh, the man who spent his childhood in Cuttack, went on to become a distinguished personality.
After finishing school, he went to Calcutta for further studies. He was an alumnus of the Hooghly Mohsin College. Later, for higher studies, he visited Britain. Upon his return, Ameer Ali initially taught at the Presidency College.
As a man of exceptional abilities, he left an indelible mark at every post. He became a high court judge. Later, he also became a Member of the Legislative Council of Greater Bengal. Ameer Ali focused on modern education for Muslims and for the uplift of the community's women.
Also, he wrote extensively and got acclaim for his efficiency and sincerity. He became the first Indian to sit as member of judicial committee of the Privy Council.
It was on May 12, nearly 150 years ago, that he founded the first proper organization to take the issues of Muslims to the British government.
A man with an international outlook, he remained active till the last. He was a humane person, concerned about the condition of the poor and spent his entire life in service for his community.
Today is May 12, the day his formed the organization. Prince Farooq, the descendant of Tipu Sultan, was also in the board. Later, it expanded to dozens of cities across undivided India.

The boy who hailed from Mohaan in today's Unnao district of Awadh & was raised in Cuttack that was part of Bengal presidency in those days, went on to become the 'Right Honourable'.

When he saw misgivings about Islam and propaganda about Holy Prophet, he wrote a book, the biography of the Prophet. He served the community and Allah rewarded him with authority, power and enormous fame in life.

When Syed Ameer Ali formed CNMA, Sir Syed was not too pleased. Perhaps, he was cautious and felt that it may lead to political voices and demands would create friction with British government that was already harsh on Muslims in the wake of 1857, the first war of independence.

However, Ameer Ali’s devotion and focus was such that it grew fast. He understood the importance of organization. His years spent in Britain played an important role in shaping his outlook. He remained active in multiple spheres — from focus on education to social uplift, creating a political agency for Indian Muslims to the establishment of Muslim place of worship in Britain. He travelled far and wide, from the qasbahs of Northern India that were remnants of the Mughal era and its cultural traditions apart from being the hub of Urdu literature to rural parts of the country, in Islamic word across Middle East. Ameer Ali had a sense of clarity that was unmatched. He saw the changing world order and understood the importance of English and modern education as tools for progress and development.