Hyderabad: January 13, Posted at 12:15 PM IST
Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam, a prominent Muslim intellectual and founder of the Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), passed away in Delhi on Tuesday January 13, at the age of 80. He was widely respected for his contributions to research, policy, and community leadership.
Born on October 9, 1945 Dr Alam earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University. Over the decades, he emerged as one of India’s most influential Muslim thinkers, combining academic rigor with community-focused institution building.
In 1986, he founded the Institute of Objective Studies, which became one of the country’s earliest Muslim-run research institutions. IOS has since completed more than 410 research projects, produced over 405 publications, and organized upwards of 1,230 conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Dr Alam also held several prestigious international positions. He served as an Economic Advisor in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy and as Associate Professor of Islamic Economics at Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University.
His other roles included Chief Coordinator for Quran translation projects at the King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex and Chief Representative of International Islamic University Malaysia in India.
Dr Alam was associated with numerous national and international bodies, including the All India Milli Council and the Islamic Fiqh Academy India. He also maintained strong ties with scholars, policymakers, and global leaders.
Although some of his ambitious initiatives—such as an Islamic university and media platforms—remained unrealized, his institutional legacy continues through IOS and related organizations.
He is survived by his sons, Mohammad Alam and Ibrahim Alam. His Namaz-e-Janaza will be offered at Shaheen Bagh, South East Delhi, after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday, followed by burial there.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
