ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred on Tuesday Hilal-i-Shujaat (posthumous) on Allama Dr Sarfraz Hussain Naeemi, who was killed in a terrorist attack on his Jamia Naeemia Madressah in Lahore on June 12.

The award was conferred after the president relaxed the condition of announcing annual awards only on August 14, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

According to the warrant of civil awards, the Hilal-i-Shujaat is awarded for acts of heroism and conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger and for gallantry in saving or attempting to save life and it can be conferred posthumously.

The president said that Dr Naeemi was martyred in the cause of tolerance and harmony and preaching against violence.

‘Allama Naeemi was a stirring voice of sanity who galvanised people against militancy through his sermons, speeches, writings and peaceful actions.’ Such powerful voices, he said, could not be silenced by assassins.