JEDDAH, 27 April 2004 — The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association in Jeddah is split over the election of its new executive committee.
According to a notice posted on the association’s website, Nasir Muhammad Khan has been named as president and Shaji Nihal vice president. “They were elected unopposed,” says the notice.
This was vehemently contested by many members of the association. They allege that the whole process was stage-managed by certain members of the election committee.
A.G. Danish, one of those who disagree, said many active members kept away from the electoral process in order to register their protest. “They claim that there are 400-odd Aligarians in and around Jeddah. My question is: Why have only 100 members renewed their membership this year? It is proof of the members’ lack of confidence in what is happening in the association,” he said.
Danish and some others have withdrawn their membership from the organization and said they would have nothing to do with it.
Nihal, the new vice president, said the election committee was composed of senior members whose integrity cannot be questioned by the Aligarh community. “Those who boycotted the election knew that they would face a rout. They were in a minority. The best option left to them was to boycott it. And that is what they did,” he said.
Many other members lamented this sad turn of events. “All this reflects badly on the Aligarh community whose members are held in respect by Indians from all over the country,” said one member.