New Delhi, July 11: Member of Law Commission and former Chairman of Minority Commission, Prof. Tahir Mahmood, received the 7th Shah Waliullah Award here today for his contribution to legal studies in India.

Attorney General of India Mr. Ghulam E. Vahanvati presented him with the Rs. 1 lakh cheque while Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha K. Rahman Khan presented Prof. Mahmood with the memento. The award also carries a citation.

Professor Dr. Tahir Mahmood receiving cheque of Rupees one lac from Mr. Ghulam E. Vahanvati streemly left. Mr. AR Lakshman also persent in centre.

The award is given by the Delhi-based Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) in recognition of scholarly contributions in Islamic context. Prof. Mahmood is an internationally known scholar of Islamic law. The earlier recipients of the award include Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi, Prof. Nejatullah Siddiqui, Maulana Shahabuddin Nadvi and Prof. Yasin Mazhar Siddiqui.

Junior category of the award was given jointly to the Vice-Chancellor of Law University of Orissa, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, and Assistant Professor of Law in Bhubneshwar Law College Dr. Afroz Alam. This award was presented by Member Parliament Maulana Asrarul Haq Qasmi to the two winners. This category carries a sum of Rs. 25,000.

Prof. Faizan Mustafa and Dr. Afroz Alam receiving cheques from Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi, MP

Receiving the award Prof. Mahmood said that Islamic law is remarkable in its depth and reach and its capability to establish a just order. However, British rulers in their time tried to distort and malign it. “It is time that we began to restore it to its glory”, he said. Prof. Mahmood thanked Institute of Objective Studies for the honour.

Attorney General Vahanvati remarked that Indian law gave persons from all sections of the society to excel in life and realise their potential.

A view of audiance

Law Commission of India Chairman AR Lakshman also addressed the select gathering of lawyers and intellectuals on the occasion. Those who addressed the gathering included IOS Secretary General Prof. Z.M. Khan.

IOS Chairman Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam said in his presidential remarks that IOS always kept in view the practical relevance of scholarly works carried out in Islamic perspective. Prof. Mahmood’s work stood that test.