– Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam –
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who died at 90 on January 22 after ruling Saudi Arabia since 2005, leaves a rich legacy of development, social and educational reforms and regional stability.
His reign, de facto began in the 1990s as the Crown Prince to King Fahd, his half brother. As King Fahd was incapacitated by a stroke, Crown Prince Abdullah did most of the King’s work.
King Abdullah thus had the actual experience of a ruler of not ten, but 20 years. In Saudi Arabia, the impact of his visionary leadership is evident in the development of infrastructure, new cities and giant industrial hubs like Yanbu and others.
As the British say, “Make haste slowly”, King Abdullah kept on with his drive to reform, but also made it a point to preserve the traditional fabric of the country’s conservative mores. He was widely applauded for his cautious stance.
He also took care to relax the strong grip of traditional norms and the religious establishment on the country’s mores. Like his father, King Abdul Aziz bin Saud, the founder of the Kingdom, he was fascinated by the Bedouin lifestyle and lore and was also an admirer of progress, science and technology. These two elements mixed well in his personality.
Education being the cornerstone of scientific and technological development, he took care to build a string of technological institutions, universities, and public libraries across the country. I had the opportunity to be present at the inauguration of King Abdul Aziz Public Library in the capital by King Abdullah. It is a huge library. I got a memento at that occasion. (see picture).
Among his religio-social reforms are the streamlining of the system of fatwas and advanced training for judges. Better trained ulema, judges and Shariah experts have been able to refute the terrorist ideologies as unIslamic and strengthened the counter-narrative offered by the state.
The cause of education was so dear to him that he ignored the stiff opposition to a university he established where men and women study together. He also created thousands of scholarships for Saudi students to study in foreign universities.
Public health was another area close to his heart. He established a countrywide chain of good hospitals, medical colleges and medical cities. No wonder, his death deeply saddened Saudis, many of whom, according to reports, took it as “a death in the family”.
Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam
Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam is an erudite Islamic Economist and Social Scientist. He has been associated with Institute of Objective Studies (IOS) as its Chairman for over 25 years now. Dr. Manzoor Alam, a Ph.D. in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University, has held various high-ranking positions in many international organizations such as Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Associate Professor Deptt. of Islamic Economics, University of Imam Mohammad-bin-Saud, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Chief Coordinator for the Translation of Meaning of the Holy Quran in different languages of the world at King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex, Madinah Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia; Chief Representative of International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM) in India; Member of the General Committee of the IDB Scholarship Program for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, K.S.A.; Consultant of the International Institute of Islamic Thought, USA in India; Founder Member of International Islamic Charitable Organisation, Kuwait; and Member, Steering Committee, Istanbul Talks, Civil Solidarity Platform, Istanbul, Turkey.
Dr. Manzoor Alam holds membership on the board of many international journals as well. He is Member of the Advisory Board of MEDAD, published from the KSA; Member of the International Advisory Board of American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, published from the USA; and Member of the Advisory Board of Awqaf, published from Kuwait.
In India, apart from being Chairman of Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), Dr. Manzoor Alam is ably guiding the Indian Muslim community with his vast experience by serving in different capacities such as General Secretary, All India Milli Council, New Delhi; President, Indo-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum, New Delhi; President, Indian Association of Muslim Social Scientists, New Delhi; and Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Under his stewardship, Dr. Manzoor Alam has successfully transformed the Institute of Objective Studies to being India’s foremost, pioneering and only organization in the country engaged in generating knowledge in Islamic Perspective, Educational development of Indian Muslims, Research, holding Conferences, seminars and workshops on vital issues, Publications and Advocacy for Muslims and other weaker sections’ causes.
Address for Communication
Institute of Objective Studies 162, Jogabai Main Road ,P.O. Box 9725, Jamia Nagar , New Delhi-110025 (India)
Mobile – +91- 9810157494 – email: manzoor@ndf.vsnl.net.in
*Disclaimer : The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of INVC .
