MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ LIKELY TO RECEIVE AN AWARD FROM PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE

Srinagar, Sept 12 (Only Kashmir): Chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has not yet made up his mind about receiving his PhD degree from President Pranab Mukherjee. The President is likely to be the chief guest at the annual convocation of the University of Kashmir on September 27.

Keeping in view the political fallout of accepting an award from the President, there is every likelihood that the Mirwaiz may not attend the function at all.

The Mirwaiz was conferred a doctorate in 2010 by the University of Kashmir for doing research on political thought in Islam under the guidance of Prof Naseem Ahmad Shah of the Department of Islamic Studies.

The Mirwaiz, who has registered himself for the university convocation, figures among the list of PhD scholars nominated by the university for receiving the awards (preferably a gold medal and a citation) from the chief guest.

“Yes, he has registered for the convocation. There are chances that he might participate in the event,” said a Hurriyat source. “He has not yet made up his mind yet,” the source said.

Despite repeated attempts, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was not available for comment. Officials of the university said the Mirwaiz has registered himself for the convocation.