IOn the occasion of the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony for Dr. Shehzad Saleem.
have known Dr. Shehzad Saleem for nearly forty years. Forgive me—it is difficult for me to distinguish between addressing him as “aap (you)” or “tum (you).” Still, I will try to refer to him with the respect he deserves as “Dr. Shehzad Saleem.”
We were classmates at the University of Engineering and Technology. My roll number was 29; his was 14. We share many memories from those days, most of which revolve around Shehzad’s innocence and purity of character. Everything that has been said in this gathering about his fine morals and conduct is absolutely true—I can fully attest to it.
One trait that stood out to me early on was his deep sense of compassion for others. Human beings, of course— but even animals. If he happened to see a dog being beaten or suffering from hunger, he would be visibly saddened. Let me clarify: in America, love for pets is part of the culture. In Pakistan, however, dogs are rarely cared for in that way. Dr. Shehzad’s kindness was, therefore, something extraordinary in our context.
Another defining moment was his decision to embrace a religious life and then remain steadfast in it. This was truly exemplary. Coming from a well-educated, modern family background, one would hardly expect such a choice, yet Dr. Shehzad left all that behind and, with full sincerity, remained committed to the path he believed to be the truth. I once read a Persian line: “This blessing is not attained by mere effort of the arm—it is a gift from God.” Indeed, this was a great gift of God.
A third quality is his unwavering commitment. There was no external pressure on him to remain tied to religious work—no financial constraints, no other compulsions. It was, at its core, sincerity, compassion, and a deep belief in the vision of this institution that enabled him to serve so consistently and wholeheartedly.
When he set out on this path, a few of our other friends also chose the same way. But among them, Dr. Shehzad Saleem alone has remained fully dedicated—steadfast and resolute in this mission. May God continue to elevate his rank, grant firmness to his resolve, and enable him to keep serving the cause of faith in this manner. Ameen.