By Muslim Mirror Network

Faculty members of the Department of Business Administration, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) rendered homage to nonagenarian Emeritus Professor, Dr Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi who passed away in San Jose, California, USA.

“Prof Nejatullah was one of the frontline economists and an inclusive thinker whose contribution to interest-free banking and micro-finance is considered to be fundamental. He has been a mentor to scores of scholars at AMU”, stressed Prof Salma Ahmed (Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Research).

Reading the condolence message, she said: “His passing away leaves a great vacuum in academia. He was a wonderful teacher and inspiration to so many, the lessons we have learnt from him will last forever. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members”.

Prof Valeed Ahmad Ansari spoke on the four-decade long association with Prof Nejatullah and highlighted his achievements.

He said: “Prof Nejatullah taught economics at AMU and later at King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he was also associated with Islamic Development Bank. He received the King Faisal International Prize for service to Islamic Studies in 1982, the Shah Waliullah Award in New Delhi for contributions to Islamic Economics in 2003 and the American Finance House Award in 1993”.

“Prof Nejatullah was a Fellow at the Center for Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a visiting scholar at the Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah”, added Prof Valeed.

Dr Asif Akhtar and Dr Tariq Aziz pointed out: “Prof Nejatullah played the role of an architect in developing the MBA-IBF programme at the Department of Business Administration in AMU”.

“His life was an example of how focus, discipline and dedication can help attain one’s mission in life. He was not only a great scholar but also an exemplary human being who was always easily accessible to everyone and a hand-holder for budding scholars”, they said.

A prolific writer in Urdu and English, Prof Nejatullah had over 65 works in peer reviewed journals. Some of his works were translated into Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and other languages. Gaer Sudi Bankkari (Banking without Interest), one of his major books, has run into 27 editions since 1973.

He also contributed to the development of interest-free microfinance through the Cooperative Model in India and was also associated with the Sahulat Microfinance Society.

Prof Nejatullah is survived by sons, Arshad Siddiqi, Khalid Siddiqi and Sajid Siddiqi and daughters, Seema Siddiqi and Deeba Siddiqi.