On 21 March 2016, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani recognized 22 individuals from the academic and cultural community for their outstanding contributions to Afghan culture and academia by presenting them with the Said Jamaluddin Afghan highest state medals.

Among the recipients were two members of INSAN Magazine, Dr Mohibullah Zegham, a text editor and member of the editorial board who is also a well-known Afghan writer and novelist, and Ms. Shafiqa Nikzad, co-founder of INSAN Magazine and an experienced educationist and writer. This award recognizes their dedication and efforts towards promoting Afghan culture and academia.