The Muslim world has lost one of its most brilliant minds. Professor Khurshid Ahmad — a scholar, visionary economist, statesman, and thought leader — passed away on April 13, 2025, in Leicester, UK, after a prolonged illness. His demise marks the end of an era in Islamic scholarship and policymaking.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Professor Khurshid Ahmad was born on March 23, 1932, in Delhi. He was widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading intellectuals, known for his lifelong association with Jamaat-e-Islami, and his influential role as a senator for over two decades (1985–2012). He also served as Federal Minister for Planning and Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan.
In 1979, he founded the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in Islamabad and led it until 2021. He also held key academic and advisory roles at institutions such as the International Islamic University, Markfield Institute of Higher Education (UK), and the Islamic Foundation (UK).
Author of over 100 books in Urdu and English — many translated into global languages — Prof. Khurshid Ahmad’s contributions earned him international acclaim. He received honorary PhDs from universities in Malaysia and the UK, and his works have inspired research in countries like Turkey, Germany, and Malaysia.
Among numerous honors, he received the Islamic Development Bank award (1989), the King Faisal Award (1990), and Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1990), for his unmatched contributions to Islamic economics and thought.
His death is a great loss for Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah. His lifelong commitment to Islamic scholarship, national policy, and cultural integrity will continue to inspire generations.