Prof. Dr. Kawthar Mustafa
President (2018-Present), Aligarh Old Boys’ Association of Bangladesh
Professor, Department of Philosophy, University Of Dhaka
Sajjadahnasheen, Khanqah Abululaiyah, Neelganj Road, Sholakia Kishoreganj
M.Phil. 1984–1987, Ph.D. 1987-1989, AMU
Taught at BA Hon's. & MA Levels in Dept. of Philosophy
In a prophetic tradition knowledge is termed as ‘light’ (al-ilmu nurun). Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) putting stress on the acquisition of knowledge says “seeking knowledge is obligatory for all Muslim men and women”. Inspired by the philosophy of education of Islam and the great spirit of Aligarh Movement led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental School at Aligarh in 1875 which turned into Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1881 that ultimately turned into a highest seat of learning naming Aligarh Muslim University in 1920, ex-students of MAOC & AMU kept the provision of imparting education as its top priority while establishing Aligarh Old Boys’ Association of East Pakistan (which after the independence of Bangladesh was named as ‘Aligarh Old Boys’ Association of Bangladesh”) in 1948. The members of the Association had an earnest desire to establish an academic institution in the pattern of Aligarh Muslim University. During the Pakistan period many attempts were made with this objective but no concretely result came out. After the independence the members of the Association again felt the urge of starting an educational institution which was one of the prime objective of the Association. The humble beginning was the an English Medium school named as “Aligarh Model Academy” first started at Kallayanpur then shifted to Sir Syed Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka in late eighties of the last century. Within a few years the school progressed a lot and its reputation spread throughout the Dhaka city. At that time Wing Com. M.A. Baaquie, Chairman and Advocate Habibur Rahman, Member Secretary of the managing committee of the Academy played a very laudable role for the uplift of that institution. Dr. Kawthar Mustafa was the Joint Member Secretary of this committee. But due to expiry of deed of agreement with the land owner and his filling civil suit to a learned court of justice and non-availability of another suitable house within financial capacity of the Association we were compelled to close down the Academy in the mid nineties of the same century. At that time our decision was that whenever we get a suitable place within our capacity we shall restart the Academy. In the meantime we made server attempts to re-start the Academy but after a number of AMA Sub-Committee and discussions and meeting of the Executive Committee we finally took the decision of starting the Academic institution in our own land.