IChair, Al-Mawrid US
On the occasion of the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for Dr. Shehzad Saleem n the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. First of all, I would like to thank honorable Javed Ahmed Ghamidi for participating in this event. I would like to welcome Dr. Shehzad Saleem on his arrival at our institution. It is an honor for us to have the opportunity to host Dr. Shehzad in this scholarly gathering. Along with this, I also extend a warm welcome to the esteemed scholars of our institution, whether they are present here or participating online.
After this, I would like to welcome the board members of the institution. Our Vice Chair, Mr. Ali, is present here. Likewise, several members of the General Body are also in attendance, and some are participating online. I also extend a warm welcome to our Executive Director, Mr. Farhan Syed, and the Director of Research and Communication, Mr. Hassan Ilyas.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today’s gathering is not merely to pay tribute to a scholar or a researcher, but to appreciate a living academic tradition. It is a matter of great joy and honor for me to be part of this occasion, on behalf of Al-Mawrid US and the entire organization, to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Shehzad Saleem. A personality whose humility is as profound as his knowledge.
Dr. Shehzad has a scholarly struggle spanning 37 years. These are years during which numerous important works were produced, and the history of the Quran was brought to light with academic research and a spirit of truthfulness. These 37 years are, in fact, a transference of the scholarly tradition of Maulana Farahi, Maulana Islahi, and Javed Ahmed Ghamidi into a language through which the entire world may benefit.
Like all of you, I too am directly benefiting from this scholarly endeavor. From Meezan to Al-Bayan, from Tadabbur-e-Quran to Al-Islam, Dr. Shehzad Saleem’s pen has served as a bridge between tradition and the contemporary age.
These are 37 years in which, even during an era of self-promotion, Dr. Shehzad Saleem made his work his identity. He carried the weight of profound knowledge, yet never sought fame. These 37 years are not merely about the words or message of the Quran, but about living with its true spirit.
These 37 years represent silent training and continuous guidance that transformed thousands of hearts and minds across the world through lectures, articles, online courses, Quranic courses, and workshops. These are 37 years of leadership free from arrogance. These are 37 years of scholarly service without pomp and show.
He is not merely a scholar of Al-Mawrid, but its driving spirit. He is not merely a guide on the path, but a constant seeker of the way of Allah himself. A personality who never claimed to have arrived, but always maintained a yearning to draw closer to the truth.
Today, we are remembering these 37 years not merely as years of work, but as years of selfless service to Allah and His religion.
In the end, on behalf of the Al-Mawrid US and from all of us, we sincerely pray from the depths of our hearts that Allah Almighty keeps Dr. Shehzad Saleem’s path illuminated with the light of the Quran, that his words continue to serve as a source of guidance for us, that his silence becomes a sign of sincerity, and that his scholarly legacy forever remains a beacon for those who seek the truth. Ameen.
Thank you all.