Students of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh wrote to the varsity Vice-Chancellor yesterday, October 8, requesting that the funds allocated for “Sir Syed Day” be donated to humanitarian relief for Palestine.

In their letter to VC Prof Naima Khatoon, students residing in Sir Syed Hall (North) wrote, “This is to bring to your kind notice that we, students of Sir Syed Hall (North), AMU, Aligarh wish to extend our support by donating the fund allocated for the Sir Syed Day, 2024 celebration towards humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine, who are currently facing dire crisis.”

AMU celebrates Sir Syed Day on October 17 every year, to commemorate and pay tribute to its founder Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Indian Muslim reformer, philosopher, and educationist on his birth anniversary.

“We, the students of Sir Syed Hall (North), most humbly request you to kindly approve and permit us for the same, and oblige us,” the students requested, in their letter.

To recall, it has been one year on October 7 since the Islamic Resistance Movement of the Gaza Strip, popularly known as Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 Israeli civilians and soldiers as hostage.

The outfit, which administers the Gaza Strip claimed that this raid was a response to Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestine, blockade of the Gaza Strip, and expanse of settlers into Palestinian land and homes.

In response, the Israeli government launched an offensive (and ongoing) military invasion into the Gaza Strip and levied a blockade on the region, leading to nearly 42,000 Palestinians being killed.