In Memoriam
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation announces the passing of our Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani. He passed away yesterday evening, Monday 22nd February, in a London hospital, at the age of 90, after a long illness.
At this difficult time, the Foundation’s Managing Director, its Board of Directors, its Employees, Boards of Advisors and Experts, and all those who worked alongside him, offer their deepest condolences and sincere sentiments of sympathy to his family and loved ones. He will be very sadly missed.
Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani was born on 30 June 1930, in Mecca. His life was a full and ground breaking one, of political, economic, social, cultural and scientific activities.
He studied law in the 1950s at Cairo University, then New York University, and Harvard University. In 1955 he received a Master's Degree in Comparative Jurisprudence; then, later on, a Doctorate from the University of Exeter.
In 1960, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani assumed the position of Minister of State and Member of the Saudi Cabinet. Then he became the Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1962-1986), and the first Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani was also the Founder and President of the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation and its three centres: the Centre for the Study of Islamic Manuscripts, the Centre for the Encyclopaedia of Makkah and Madinah, and the Centre for Studies of the Objectives of Islamic Law.
He received throughout his career many awards and decorations, and was a member of many scientific societies around the world.
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani left with us several books and studies, including “The House of Khadija Bint Khuwaylid (Radiyallahu Anha) in Makkah Al-Mukarramah - A Historical Study of Its Location, Building and Architecture”, and “Islam and Women”, which was translated into several languages. He also published dozens of articles in Arabic and English in various fields.
Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani will be buried in the Al-Mualla Cemetery in Makkah.
May his soul rest in peace, and may God bless his family.
"Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return."
 Thank you for your Condolence Messages Dear All, We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude - on behalf of the Al-Furqan Family - for your kind messages and sincere condolences on the passing of our dear Chairman, HE Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani (may Allah have mercy on him). May God bless and protect you all. Kind regards, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation |