Nurul Islam | |
|---|---|
নুরুল ইসলাম | |
| Born | 1 April 1929 Chittagong, Bengal, British India |
| Died | 9 May 2023 (aged 94) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka Harvard University |
| Occupation | Economist |
Nurul Islam (1 April 1929[1] – 9 May 2023) was a Bangladeshi economist, philanthropist, and politician.[2][3] Islam is famous for his contributions during the independence war of Bangladesh, as well as for his pivotal role in the economy and foreign affairs during the 1970's as cabinet minister and deputy chairman of the Planning Commission. He was the closest advisor to, and confidant of, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (founding father and first Prime Minister of Bangladesh) throughout the 1960s and until the Prime Minister's assassination in 1975.
Islam is responsible for establishing Bangladesh's economy, financial system, and trade relationships; his leadership laid the foundations for Bangladesh's unprecedented economic growth over five decades. Islam has mentored many Bengali power players (including Prime Minister Fakhruddin Ahmed and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus). Today, the Islam family is prominent in South Asian business, with significant holdings across manufacturing, construction, and financial services; the companies they own employ more than 60,000 workers. The Islam family is active in philanthropy, particularly in support of education, diabetes research, and women's rights. They founded Shakti Foundation, Bangladesh's third largest charity organization, as well as several urban-area hospitals and schools.