Funeral prayers in absentia for Professor Khurshid Ahmad led by Hafiz Naeemur Rehman offered
KARACHI, April 14 (SABAH): The funeral prayers in absentia for Professor Khurshid Ahmad, former Deputy Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, internationally renowned economist, outstanding parliamentarian, and former Senator, was held at Idara Noor-e-Haq under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan’s Emir, Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. A large number of Jamaat-e-Islami members, officials, and people from various walks of life associated with Professor Khurshid Ahmad paid tribute to his spiritual, organizational, academic, and intellectual contributions and prayed for his forgiveness and elevation in the hereafter.
Earlier, addressing the attendees, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that the passing of Professor Khurshid Ahmad is a great loss, as we have lost a kind and affectionate elder leader. He was a valuable asset to the Islamic movement who devoted his entire life to the struggle for establishing the deen (religion).
He was inspired by the message of Syed Abul A’la Maududi during his student life and remained associated with the movement till his last breath. Economics and education were his special focus areas, and the frameworks he developed were adopted by many countries to improve these sectors. Unfortunately, successive governments in Pakistan ignored his recommendations, which is why today both our economy and education system are in dire condition. Professor Khurshid Ahmad was elected Senator three times and earned the distinction of being an exemplary parliamentarian.
Hafiz Naeem further said that Professor Khurshid Ahmad founded the Islamic Foundation in Leicester and carried out the mission of spreading Islam abroad as well. He had a deep affection for Karachi, as he had migrated from India to this city. Despite living in the UK, he remained connected to the people of Karachi and regularly expressed concern over national matters. Hafiz Naeem recalled his meeting with the late professor in the UK during his tenure as Nazim-e-Aala, in which Professor Khurshid emphasized the importance of preserving the national language, Urdu. He stressed that Urdu is not just a language, but a cultural heritage and a continuation of history—yet the constitutionally mandated use of Urdu has not been implemented, something that deeply saddened him.
Professor Khurshid Ahmad remained associated with the monthly publication Tarjuman-ul-Quran for a long time and was a true representative of the thoughts of Maulana Syed Abul A’la Maududi. Through his writings, he articulated these ideas with reason and clarity. His speeches were also so well-argued that discussions would often conclude with his statements. He was a model of humility, free from arrogance or self-promotion, and placed great importance on discipline and organizational structure. At a young age, he joined the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami and always fulfilled any responsibility entrusted to him by Maulana Maududi with excellence.
His life and struggle serve as a guiding light for every member of the movement. May Allah grant the Islamic movement and the entire Ummah a worthy successor. Addressing the gathering, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi’s Emir, Munim Zafar Khan, said that we have lost an exceptional mentor.