Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described Professor Datuk Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty, chairman of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), as a close friend and a passionate figure in the fields of religious thought, education, and intellectual discourse.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar expressed his grief and deep sadness over the passing of Muhammad Nur in a Facebook post this morning. Muhammad Nur, a former president of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), was also active in PKR. Anwar shared his personal sorrow, noting, “I am deeply affected and saddened by his passing. We had a chance to meet only a few days ago.”

Anwar further extended his prayers for Muhammad Nur’s soul to be granted forgiveness by Almighty Allah and to be placed among the martyrs, while also wishing strength and patience for his family during this time of loss.

Muhammad Nur breathed his last at 11.27 am at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang. Arrangements for his funeral prayer will take place after Asar at Masjid Al-Umm in Bangi, followed by his burial at the Sungai Tangkas Muslim cemetery.

Muhammad Nur was appointed as the IKIM chairman on May 8, 2023. His previous roles included serving as the chairman of the Board of Directors at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2021. Earlier this year, on January 18, he was honoured with the highest award by the Muslim Converts’ Association of Singapore (MCAS) for his leadership and contributions to the organisation.