PM ANWAR SADDENED BY PASSING OF ISLAMIC FINANCE SCHOLAR YAQUB MIRZA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed deep sadness over the passing of renowned Islamic finance scholar, Dr Yaqub Mirza, describing him as a dear family friend who dreamed mighty things for the Muslim world.

Anwar said Yakub’s work reached far beyond any single organisation, noting that he played a formative role in Islamic finance through the Amana Funds and founded the Centre for Islam in the Contemporary World at Shenandoah University, creating a space for serious engagement with the challenges facing Muslims today.

“His passing is a huge personal loss to me, my family, and an even greater loss to those across continents who benefited from his integrity, his counsel, and his example.

“The institutions he shaped and the people he supported will remain an integral part of his legacy,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Describing Yakub, 79, as a man of few words, Anwar said he was someone who preferred to build quietly rather than talk about what he was building.

“He gave his time freely and selflessly to younger leaders and community workers, always with the same quiet encouragement,” he said.

Anwar said he first knew Yakub through his long association with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in the United States.

“Over the years, what stood out was his calm discipline and his instinct to focus on what mattered: strengthening institutions, supporting scholars, and helping communities think about their future. He never sought recognition, yet many relied on him for guidance, for his magnanimity knew no bounds,” he said.

According to the Adams Centre, a non-profit Muslim community organisation in Washington, Yakub passed away on Dec 3.

-- BERNAMA