Renowned Scholar and Thinker Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam Passes Away at 80
Founder of Institute of Objective Studies and a leading voice in Islamic economics, Dr Alam breathed his last in New Delhi after prolonged illness.
NEW DELHI: Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam, a respected scholar, economist and founder of the think tank Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), passed away early Tuesday morning during treatment at Max Hospital in Delhi. He was 80.
Dr Alam, who had been living with diabetes for several years, was suffering from a serious kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis twice a week. He was admitted to Max Hospital in Dwarka on January 12 for dialysis. Following the procedure, his condition deteriorated and he slipped into a coma. He did not regain consciousness and passed away at around 5 am.
He is survived by five sons and two daughters. Soon after the news of his demise, his family received hundreds of condolence messages from across India and abroad, especially from the Arab and Muslim world. Among those who conveyed condolences was Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who had expressed his desire to attend the funeral but later changed his plan due to security concerns, as the Shaheen Bagh graveyard in Delhi is located in a densely populated area.
Born on October 9, 1945, in Ranipur village of Madhubani district in Bihar, Dr Alam completed his PhD in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Over the decades, he emerged as one of the most influential Muslim intellectuals in India, known for his deep scholarship, institution-building efforts and commitment to social justice.
Veteran journalist and his biographer, AU Asif, said that nearly 200 eminent personalities from different parts of the Muslim world personally called to express their grief over Dr Alam’s passing.
Several Indian religious and community leaders paid rich tributes to him. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President Syed Sadatullah Husaini described Dr Alam’s death as a major intellectual and moral loss for the Indian Muslim community and the broader world of Islamic scholarship. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani and General Secretary Maulana Muhammad Hakeemuddin Qasmi also expressed deep sorrow, saying Dr Alam devoted his entire life to research, education and institution-building, and made lasting contributions to Islamic economics and academic discourse in India.
Turkey-based Indian journalist Iftikhar Gilani said Dr Alam’s passing marked “the end of a long and meaningful intellectual journey,” adding that he quietly nurtured research, dialogue and principled engagement without seeking personal recognition. Mohammad Shafi, national vice-president of the Social Democratic Party of India, described him as a visionary scholar and a tireless advocate of education, research and social justice.
Through the Institute of Objective Studies, founded in New Delhi in 1986, Dr Alam played a key role in promoting research on social, political and educational issues related to the Muslim community in India. The institute published hundreds of research-based books and provided a platform for young scholars and students to engage in serious academic work.
Dr Alam held several prestigious positions in India and abroad. These included Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia, Associate Professor of Islamic Economics at Imam Mohammad bin Saud University in Riyadh, Chief Coordinator for Quran translation projects at the King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex in Madinah, and Chief Representative of the International Islamic University Malaysia in India. He also served on committees and boards of the Islamic Development Bank, Aligarh Muslim University, and numerous international academic and charitable organisations.
In India, he served as General Secretary of the All India Milli Council, President of the Indian Association of Muslim Social Scientists, member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and founder or trustee of several educational, media and research institutions.
Widely known for his humility, intellectual integrity and mentorship, Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam leaves behind a rich legacy of scholarship and service. His contributions to education, research and the empowerment of marginalized communities will continue to inspire future generations.
