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Umar Chapra

1933 – 2026

Saudi Arabian economist

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About Umar Chapra

Lived 1933 – 2026 (aged 93). Umar Chapra was a Saudi economist and academic, known for King Faisal International Prize.

Career In 1965, Chapra moved to Saudi Arabia after being offered an economic advisory position at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). He was among the first Pakistani nationals to move to the Kingdom. He worked under Minister for Finance Sheikh Mohammed Abalkhai during the reign of King Faisal, and played an instrumental role in building Saudi Arabia's banking system, as well as formulating the government's economic and monetary policies over the next several decades. In 1990, he was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in the field of Islamic studies and economics. He was also granted Saudi citizenship in recognition of his services to the country.

In 1995, he was awarded an Institute of Overseas Pakistanis medal by the President of Pakistan, for his contributions in economics. His funeral prayer was held on 14 June 2026 at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, after which he was buried at Jannat al-Mu'alla.

Awards and recognition Islamic Development Bank Award for Islamic Economics (1989). The IOP (Institute of Overseas Pakistanis) gold medal by the President of Pakistan for services to Islam and Islamic Economics at the First IOP Convention in Islamabad (1995). Ranked by ISLAMICA 500 among the Top 50 Global Leaders in Islamic Economics in 2015.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Known for
King Faisal International Prize
Education
University of Minnesota, University of Karachi, University of Sindh
Employers
University of Minnesota, University of Kentucky
Awards
King Faisal Prize in Islamic Studies
Also known as
Muhammad Umer Chapra

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Umar Chapra's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Umar Chapra?

Saudi Arabian economist

When was Umar Chapra born?

Umar Chapra was born on 1 February 1933 in Mumbai.

When did Umar Chapra die?

Umar Chapra died on 13 June 2026 in Mecca.

What was Umar Chapra's occupation?

Umar Chapra was an economist and academic.

What was Umar Chapra known for?

Umar Chapra was known for King Faisal International Prize.

What nationality was Umar Chapra?

Umar Chapra was Saudi.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Umar Chapra

· Wikidata: Q7881116

· DBpedia: Umer Chapra

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Umar Chapra. https://biography.guide/umar-chapra/

MLA: "Umar Chapra." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/umar-chapra/.

Chicago: "Umar Chapra." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/umar-chapra/.

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