Md Ferdaous Khan, a noted educationist and writer, gave away the medal and certificate to Dr Shamser Ali for his outstanding contribution to popularising Islam and science to the common people.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shamser Ali said science has advanced a lot in medical and technology sectors but Kashfi (spiritual) world can't be explained with science.

He said science can explain what we see but can't explain beyond that.

"Everything in the world is the document of Allah but we don't get meaning of these documents all the time, when we get the meaning we devote ourselves to Allah very much," Dr Shamser said.

Presenting a keynote paper on 'Khanbahadur Ahsanullah's views to Sufism' Prof Dr Shah Kawsar Mostafa Abululai of Philosophy department of Dhaka University said the essence of Islam is Sufism and the essence of Sufism is the love of Allah.

Organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission, the function was also addressed by National Prof MR Khan, Dr ARM Ali Haider of Dhaka University, and Chief Executive of the mission Kazi Raqibul Alam.

Kazi Fazlur Rahman, former advisor to the caretaker government and chairman of the mission, presided over the function.

Dr Shamser Ali is the 13th recipient of the award.

Earlier, National Prof Dr Md Ibrahim, National Prof Syed Ali Ahsan, National Prof Dewan Md Azrof, Prof Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and Prof Dr Sirajul Islam won the award.