IMO News Service
The Government of India has announced conferring of the nation’s second highest civilian award ‘Padma Vibhushan’ to prominent Muslim scholar 96-year-old Maulana Wahiduddin Khan for his distinguished and exceptional service to bridge Hindu-Muslim divide through his writings focused on interfaith harmony.
The renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is originally from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, but is currently residing in Hazrat Nizamuddin area in Delhi for past several decades. Khan is widely acclaimed to propagate his ideas and teachings through writing. He had in the past written Tazkirul Quran, a commentary on the Holy Quran, and also runs a popular monthly magazine Al Risala. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has been presented several awards including Padma Bhushan (2000), Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award (2009), National Citizens’ Award, Demiurgus Peace International Award and others.
Late Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, a prominent Shia Muslim scholar, has been awarded posthumously the country’s third highest civilian award ‘Padma Bhushan’. Considered to be a great ambassador of Shia-Sunni unity, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq died in November 2020. He was also Vice President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
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Both Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and late Maulana Kalbe Sadiq were considered close to Hindu right-wing ruling party BJP at the Centre, and were vocal proponents asking Muslims to give up their claim on Babri Masjid. They also had a neutral stand on the construction of Ram Mandir on the ruins of Babri Masjid dismantled by Hindu zealots.
The Padma awards were announced for other Muslim personalities as well. India’s fourth highest civilian award ‘Padma Shri’ was given to Ali Manikfan, Gulfam Ahmed, Lakha Khan, Ghulam Rasool Khan, Sanjida Khatun and Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir.
Ali Manikfan, a marine researcher, ecologist, shipbuilder, agriculturist and a polyglot from Minicoy Island of Lakshwadeep, was awarded for his contribution in grassroots level innovations. Gulfam Ahmed from Uttar Pradesh was awarded for his contribution in the field of Art, Lakha Khan from Rajasthan for Literature, Ghulam Rasool Khan from Jammu and Kashmir for Art, and Sanjida Khatun for Art and Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir for Public Affairs (both from Bangladesh).
This year the Padma awards will be given to 119 personalities (7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri). The awards are announced every year by the Union Government to commemorate India’s Republic Day. The awards will be presented by President of India Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Government of India has announced conferring of the nation’s second highest civilian award ‘Padma Vibhushan’ to prominent Muslim scholar 96-year-old Maulana Wahiduddin Khan for his distinguished and exceptional service to bridge Hindu-Muslim divide through his writings focused on interfaith harmony.
The renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is originally from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, but is currently residing in Hazrat Nizamuddin area in Delhi for past several decades. Khan is widely acclaimed to propagate his ideas and teachings through writing. He had in the past written Tazkirul Quran, a commentary on the Holy Quran, and also runs a popular monthly magazine Al Risala. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has been presented several awards including Padma Bhushan (2000), Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award (2009), National Citizens’ Award, Demiurgus Peace International Award and others.
Late Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, a prominent Shia Muslim scholar, has been awarded posthumously the country’s third highest civilian award ‘Padma Bhushan’. Considered to be a great ambassador of Shia-Sunni unity, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq died in November 2020. He was also Vice President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Both Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and late Maulana Kalbe Sadiq were considered close to Hindu right-wing ruling party BJP at the Centre, and were vocal proponents asking Muslims to give up their claim on Babri Masjid. They also had a neutral stand on the construction of Ram Mandir on the ruins of Babri Masjid dismantled by Hindu zealots.
The Padma awards were announced for other Muslim personalities as well. India’s fourth highest civilian award ‘Padma Shri’ was given to Ali Manikfan, Gulfam Ahmed, Lakha Khan, Ghulam Rasool Khan, Sanjida Khatun and Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir.
Ali Manikfan, a marine researcher, ecologist, shipbuilder, agriculturist and a polyglot from Minicoy Island of Lakshwadeep, was awarded for his contribution in grassroots level innovations. Gulfam Ahmed from Uttar Pradesh was awarded for his contribution in the field of Art, Lakha Khan from Rajasthan for Literature, Ghulam Rasool Khan from Jammu and Kashmir for Art, and Sanjida Khatun for Art and Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir for Public Affairs (both from Bangladesh).
This year the Padma awards will be given to 119 personalities (7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri). The awards are announced every year by the Union Government to commemorate India’s Republic Day. The awards will be presented by President of India Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhawan.