Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, a distinguished intellectual and one of India’s most prominent Muslim community leaders, passed away in Delhi on January 13, 2026, at the age of 80.
He was the founder of the Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), one of the country’s first and foremost Muslim-run think tanks.
Born on October 9, 1945, Dr. Alam held a Ph.D. in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University and served in numerous prominent positions both in India and abroad.
He was an Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Associate Professor in the Department of Islamic Economics at the University of Imam Mohammad-bin-Saud, Riyadh.
Dr Alam also served as Chief Coordinator for the Translation of the Holy Quran at King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex, Madinah, and as Chief Representative of the International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM), in India.
Established in 1986, IOS has completed over 410 research projects, produced 405 publications, and organized more than 1,230 conferences, seminars, and workshops involving scholars, policymakers, and community leaders from India and abroad.
The think tank focuses on socio-economic, educational, and cultural issues affecting Indian Muslims, providing data-driven research and policy recommendations for social development and empowerment.
Reacting to the news of Dr. Alam’s passing, senior journalist Iftikhar Geelani wrote on social media: “Dr Alam was more than a scholar, economist, and visionary administrator—he was a guiding light of selfless national service.”
Geelani noted that Dr. Alam’s life embodied knowledge, integrity, and purpose, and that his work continues to inspire generations. “Quiet in demeanor but profound in impact, he nurtured talent, built institutions, and championed justice, dignity, and the rights of all,” he added.
“The death of noted Islamic scholar and intellectual Dr. Manzoor Alam is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community of India,” Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said in a press statement.
He said Dr. Alam was respected in national and international scholarly circles, made significant contributions to Islamic economics, and founded the Institute of Objective Studies. Rahmani added that Dr. Alam remained deeply engaged with community issues until his death after a prolonged illness.
“Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam was a serious scholar, a farsighted institution-builder, and a selfless servant of the community who believed in research, reason, and responsible engagement with society,” Syed Saadatullah Hussaini, the president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said, paying tribute to Dr Alam’s role in creating a lasting intellectual environment for Muslim thought in India.
Dr Alam served as a patron of several institutions including the All India Milli Council and the Islamic Fiqh Academy India.
He built a vast network of scholars, academics, and policymakers and had strong national and international connections, including with Dr. Manmohan Singh, Ahmed Patel, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He also served as a Board Member of the International Institute of Islamic Thought, USA, Founder Member of the International Islamic Charitable Organisation, Kuwait, and as a member of multiple international advisory boards and committees.
While several of his ambitious projects, including an Islamic university, media platforms, and healthcare initiatives, remained unrealized, his legacy continues through IOS, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and other organizations he established.
He is survived by his sons, Mohammad Alam and Ibrahim Alam, who continue his work through leadership at IOS and related publications.
His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered in South East Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh locality after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday, and he will be laid to rest in a graveyard there. He is survived by his sons, Mohammad Alam and Ibrahim Alam, who continue his work through leadership at IOS and related publications.
Its a coincidence that here at karnataka amir-e- shariat moulana Rashadi is also laid to rest with huge crowd while probably Dr. Manzoor Alam is laid to rest at Delhi with modest gathering! I think dr. Manzoor Alam’s contribution is more pronounced to a community which is yet to recognise the distinction of learning & scholarship vis a vis mass following?