ME AND MAULANA: A PERSONAL RECOLLECTION OF WAHIDUDDIN KHAN - John M. Butt

on 1st January, 1925 at Azamgarh (UP) and died, due to Covid-19 complications, on 21st April 2021 (at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi). A leading scholar of Islamic thought among contemporary Indian Muslims, an Islamic spiritual leader, a Quran commentator, and an ardent advocate of peace, harmony, pluralism, gender justice, interfaith dialogue and social harmony, he founded ‘Centre for Peace and Spirituality’ in 2001 (New Delhi). Being well versed in classical Islamic learning and modern sciences, his mission was the establishment of world-wide peace and he features in 2009 edition of The Muslim 500 (The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims) wherein he was described as ‘Islam’s Spiritual Ambassador to the world’. He authored over 200 books on Islam and its diverse aspects—ranging from Quran, Sirah/ prophetic wisdom, theology, morality, spirituality, non-violence, peace/ peacebuilding, to gender studies and Islam and science. Though he wrote mostly in Urdu, but many of his work have been translated in Arabic, Hindi, English and various European languages as well. He also wrote commentary on the Quran—Tazkir al-Qur’an—and it has been translated into English as well (a full list of his books can be accessed from www.cpsglobal.org). A recipient of various national and internatonal awards, MWK died at an age of 96, on 21st April 2021 at Apollo hospital New Delhi after he tested positive for COVID-19. His son, Dr(s) Zafarul Islam Khan and Saniyasnain Khan, and grandchildren (Maria Khan, Sadia Khan, Raamish Siddiqui) announced his death through social media (Twitter and