AP Ustad, 7 others conferred OIC Jewels of the Muslim World Award

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 20: Sheikh Aboobacker Ahmed, one of the most influential Muslim scholar and educationist in India, has been awarded the OIC Jewels of the Muslim World Award 2016 along with seven other achievers at a special ceremony held in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar and AP Ustad among Keralites, he is the general secretary of All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and Founder Chancellor of the Markazu Ssaquafathi Ssunniyya located in Karanthur, Kozhikode.

The award, presented by the Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, on Oct 19 recognises A P Ustad's long-term contributions to the field of education.

The prestigious award, currently in its 7th year is an endeavour to mark excellence, innovation and accomplishments of individuals in the areas of business and societal improvement.

The eight award winners for 2016 are highly respected movers and shakers who have created economic value and nurtured talents through their efforts.

This recognition, awarded by OIC Today magazine will be of great importance as an inspiration to the younger generation to become productive and capable participants in the global economy.

Among the winners are Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, group chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and H.E. Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, executive president of State General Reserve Fund and chairman of Uzbekistan-Oman Capital LLC and Oman-Brunei Investment Company, Sultanate of Oman.

The Jewels of the Muslim World award began in 2011 and has significantly been related to the main goal of the annual eventThe Muslim World BIZ' represented in elevating the status of the Islamic economy through systematic processes.

On one hand, these processes boost intra-trade activities between the 57 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, while enhancing the collaboration of the Muslim countries with the rest of the world on the other.

Every year the award is presented at a special ceremony during the official launching ofThe Muslim World BIZ'.

Throughout the past five years a total of 43 leaders have received the award. Among the leaders awarded in the past years, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB); H.E. Professor Sultan T. Abu-Orabi, secretary-general Association of Arab Universities in Jordan; H.R.H Prince Alwaleed Talal Alsaud, founder and chairman of Kingdom Holdings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, president of Islamic Development Bank; Muhammad Ali, the Legendary Boxer from the US; Asadollah Asgar–Oladi, President of Hassad Export Co. Ltd in Iran; Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, president of SimplySiti Sdn Bhd in Malaysia; and Sami Yusuf, Muslim musician, singer, song writer, composer and producer in the UK.