SExecutive Director, Al-Mawrid US
On the occasion of the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for Dr. Shehzad Saleem.
trictly speaking, I may not have the standing to speak in this gathering, yet my long and deep bond of friendship and affection with Dr. Shehzad Saleem compels me to say a few words about him.
Dr. Shehzad Saleem is a multifaceted personality: a father, a brother, a son, a teacher, a scholar, and a translator. But today I would like to briefly touch upon three defining dimensions of his life.
First, his unwavering commitment and relentless effort in the pursuit of truth. Many scholars have spoken about this, and will continue to do so in an academic way. I will only share one simple story. When he completed his engineering degree at UET, his connection with Javed Ahmed Ghamidi had already been established, and he began working alongside him. Such was his focus that he never even bothered to go back and collect his diploma. Years later, a student of his—by then in a senior institutional position—told him, “Sir, your diploma has been lying here for twenty years. At least come and collect it.” Yet Dr. Shehzad Saleem never turned back toward worldly pursuits. That is the measure of his focus on the quest for truth.
Second, his extraordinary capacity for maintaining relationships and bonds of affection. I have known him, and the institution, for about twelve years. From Australia to Pakistan, from England to other parts of the world— wherever I have met people—I have not found a single individual who carries a complaint against him. Quite the opposite: everyone speaks of him only with admiration. This is a rare quality indeed. To never speak ill of anyone, and to be so universally praised in return—that is an achievement far greater than it seems.
Third, his moral character. I often say to people that my aspiration in life is to one day become, in terms of moral integrity, like Dr. Shehzad Saleem. It is truly amazing. Without fear of exaggeration, I can say that he embodies the very same moral excellence we read about in the earliest Muslims—those exemplary figures whose stories of character still inspire us today.
Our dear Ammar Khan Nasir once wrote on Facebook that it is the award itself that is honored by being given to Dr. Shehzad Saleem. I fully agree. Yet, beyond this, I believe that his true Lifetime Achievement Award lies in his moral being and in the affection he has cultivated with people. My earnest hope—and my heartfelt prayer—is that on the Day of Judgment, Allah grants him the eternal Lifetime Achievement Award, admitting him among the righteous and the nearest ones, and that we too are blessed to be in his company there.
Thank you.