Khurshid Ahmad خورشید احمد |
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Born |
Delhi, British Indian Empire |
23 March 1932
Nationality | Pakistan |
Institution |
Karachi University University of Leicester Institute of Policy Studies Planning Commission |
Field | Islamic economics |
School or tradition |
Islamic economic jurisprudence |
Alma mater |
Government College University University of Leicester International Islamic University |
Influences | Capitalism Perspectives on capitalism Conservatism |
Influenced | Islamic economics in the world |
Contributions | Islamic economics and conservatism |
Awards | King Faisal International Prize for Science |
Khurshīd Ahmad (Urdu: خورشید احمد; born 23 March 1932) is a Pakistani economist and Islamic activist who earned fame in his pioneering development of Islamic economic jurisprudence as an academic principle.
A senior and known conservative figure, he has been long-standing member of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), and successfully contested in 2002 general elections for a technocrat seat on a platform of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)—an alliance of rightist parties. Previously, he had served as the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission in a military government of President General Zia-ul-Haq, where he played an influential role in Islamization of the country's national economy in the 1970s. Ahmad is cited as the father of modern Islamic economics and Islamic capitalism, and is considered one of the influential thinkers in the field of Islamic economics.
Ahmad was born into a religiously-firmed family on 23 March 1932 in Delhi (now part of Republic of India and state capital as well), former British Indian Empire. His family had a deep ultraconservative background. His family strictly followed the Islamic teachings and practices. After being home-schooled and gaining traditional Islamic education, Ahmad entered in Anglo-Arabic higher secondary school in Delhi where he excelled with good marks and standings. In 1947, his family moved to newly established state, Pakistan, and settled in Lahore, Punjab Province. In 1949, Ahmad enrolled in Government College University (GCU) where he studied commerce and economics where he gained first position in his courses. It was his years at the GCU where he developed serious interest and interaction between Capitalism and Islam, the twin passions of much of his lifework. The same year, he became active Islamic activist and subsequently joined the Jamaat-e-Islami.