Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliar becomes first Indian to get highest civilian award of Malaysia
Malaysia bestowed its highest civilian award, the Hijra Award, upon prominent Sunni leader Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliar, making him the first Indian to receive this prestigious honor. The award was presented by Malaysian King Al Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah during a ceremony held at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
The Hijra Award, instituted by Malaysia in the name of Prophet Mohammed, is dedicated to recognizing distinguished Islamic scholars from around the world and has been awarded on the first day of the Islamic New Year since 2008. It is considered one of the most esteemed prizes in the Islamic world.
The event was graced by several high-ranking Malaysian officials, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammed Nahim Bin Mukhtar. Mr. Kanthapuram, who was present at the function in a wheelchair, was lauded on stage to receive the prestigious award.
The Malaysian government initiated the Hijra Award to honor international Islamic scholars for their significant contributions to world peace and harmony.
The decision to confer the Hijra Award upon Mr. Kanthapuram was based on his notable efforts in promoting messages of peace and fostering interfaith relations worldwide, as recognized by Malaysia's Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
Expressing his gratitude after receiving the award, Mr. Kanthapuram conveyed that the esteemed recognition by Malaysia would embolden him to expand his activities to broader horizons. He arrived in Malaysia on Monday after accepting an invitation from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
During his visit, the Malaysian Prime Minister and Mr. Kanthapuram engaged in discussions on further enhancing and strengthening cultural ties between Malaysia and India.
Joining Mr. Kanthapuram during the ceremony were Abdul Hakeem Azhari, the managing director of Markaz Knowledge City; Abdussalam, the Knowledge City chief executive officer; and Kuttur Abdurahman Haji, the chairman of Jamiul Futooh maintenance committee.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
