Prof Khurshid Ahmad, Former JI Leader, Passes Away in UK
His contributions to education, economics, and public discourse have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Professor Khurshid Ahmad, a former senator, economist, philosopher, and ex-Naib Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), passed away on Sunday in Leicester, United Kingdom. He was 93.
He was a renowned figure in Islamic economics and a close associate of JI founder Syed Abul A’la Maududi.
JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and senior leaders, including Liaqat Baloc,h expressed deep sorrow over his demise. “His departure is an irreparable loss to the intellectual world and Islamic movement,” Rehman stated.
Throughout his career, Professor Ahmad made significant contributions to Islamic economic jurisprudence and was awarded several honors, including the King Faisal International Prize and Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
Born in New Delhi on March 23, 1932, Professor Ahmad got his Master’s Degrees in Economics and Islamic Studies with distinction.
Professor Ahmad, who was also the elder brother of a senior educationist Dr Anis Ahmad, joined Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba in 1949 and later joined Jamaat-e-Islami in 1956.
He authored an impressive 70 books in both English and Urdu, and was the editor of JI’s monthly ‘Tarjamanul Quraan’.
He served as a senator multiple times and held various roles in government and academia, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship and public service.
Prof Khurshid Ahmad also served as chairman of the International Institute of Economics of the International Islamic University from 1984 to 1992 and as Vice President of Shah Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah.
He played a pivotal role in establishing Islamic economic jurisprudence as an academic discipline and co-founded The Islamic Foundation in Leicester, UK, alongside Khurram Murad. He remained actively associated with the foundation until his passing.
