Malappuram: Renowned historian and Darul Huda alumnus Mahmood Hudawi Kooriya has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Infosys Prize in the Humanities and Social Sciences category. The award includes a gold medal, a citation, and a prize of USD 100,000 (approximately ₹84 lakhs). Instituted by the Infosys Science Foundation, this is one of the most significant accolades in India’s academic sphere. Mahmood Hudawi, who hails from Panangangara in Malappuram, is a professor in the History Department at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was chosen for this honor in recognition of his groundbreaking research and contributions to the study of the maritime history of Islam during the pre-modern era. The selection committee highlighted his impactful studies on the role of Islamic law in shaping the economic, political, and cultural dynamics of the Indian Ocean region.