Pakistan and the global intellectual community mourn the loss of Prof Khurshid Ahmad, a towering figure in Islamic economics and thought, who passed away on April 13, 2025, in Leicester, UK, at the age of 93.
Prof. Ahmad, a recipient of the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz, was the Founding Chairperson of ILM Trust and the University of Management and Technology (UMT). Known for his visionary leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to Islamic socio-economic values, his death marks the end of an era in intellectual and academic circles.
In a heartfelt tribute, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, President of UMT, said: “The world of knowledge has lost a great intellectual.”
Prof Khurshid Ahmad was internationally acclaimed for his groundbreaking work in Islamic economics, a field he helped pioneer. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Islamic Development Bank Prize in 1988 and the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 1990.
Beyond academia, Prof Khurshid Ahmad played a vital role in public policy. He served as a Senator from 1985 to 1997, Federal Minister for Planning, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Affairs, and Planning. His influence extended across the Muslim world through key advisory and leadership roles.
He also founded and led several influential institutions, including the Islamic Foundation in Leicester and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad, which continue to shape Islamic discourse and policy research.
An author of more than 70 books and countless scholarly articles, Prof Ahmad’s legacy will live on through his writings, students, and the institutions he built.
“May Allah accept his efforts, grant him maghfirah, and may his contributions continue to inspire and impact future generations,” said Ibrahim Hasan Murad.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. Prof Khurshid Ahmad leaves behind a rich intellectual heritage that will guide scholars, policymakers, and believers for years to come.