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

He also embarked on a peace march through Maharashtra along with Acharya Muni Sushil Kumar and Swami Chidanand after the Babri Masjid demolition. In 2003, he wrote another article saying it is time Muslims must bring to an end all violent activities and devote their energies to achieving a two-point formula of education and dawah. “Education will bring their succeeding generations into line with modern standards, and dawah work will provide them with a global mission through which they will be able to chalk out a proper line of action for themselves,” he wrote. His son Zafarul Islam Khan said, “Millions in India and other countries admired him for what he said. He basically wanted to bring people together, to forget past acrimonies, to start a new life…forgiving was very important to him… that is what he preached.” Khan was a known peace activist. Earlier this year, the Narendra Modi government honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan. On Thursday, Modi tweeted: “Saddened by the passing away of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. He will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of theology and spirituality. He was also passionate about community service and social empowerment. Condolences to his family and countless well-wishers. RIP.” A recipient of Padma Bhushan and Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award, Khan authored some 200 books, including a commentary and translation of the Quran in English, Hindi and Urdu. He edited a weekly publication of Jamiat Ulema