award
An award is given to a recipient as a token of recognition for notable achievement and impact in a specific field, serving as an inspiration to others. At the Urs Conference in 2001, held at Eaton Hall in Retford and organised by Jamia Al-Karam, Al-Azhar University of Egypt conferred its highest honour, the al-Dir‘ al-Fakhri (Shield of Pride), posthumously as a lifetime achievement award to the late Justice Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (ra). During the same event, the founder of Jamia Al-Karam, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, was awarded the al-Dir‘ al-Mumtaz (Shield of Excellence) by the then President of Al-Azhar University, the renowned scholar, Shaykh Dr Ahmad Umar Hashim.
At the Gateway to Divine Mercy conference in 2011 in Manchester, the Vice-Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar H. Pirzada al-Azhari, received the al-Dir‘ al-Mumtaz (Shield of Excellence) from the late Shaykh Dr Abdel Fadeel al-Qawsi (ra), deputy to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and senior theologian of Al-Azhar University. Furthermore, at the 2015 Gateway to Divine Mercy conference in Birmingham, Jamia Al-Karam posthumously conferred an Award of Excellence to the late Sufi Muhammad Abdullah Khan (ra), founder of the Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif.
At this year’s convention, Jamia Al-Karam will present the 2024 JAK Gold Medal to a distinguished recipient, recognising their significant efforts and accomplishments in serving the religion and the community with relevance, effectiveness, and courage. This award celebrates their dedication to the divine call: “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent advice, and discuss with them in a manner that is most virtuous.” [Qur’an 16:125].