Dr. Murad Wilfried Hofmann, noted author and former German diplomat, passed away on Monday, January 13 at the age of 88 after a long struggle with illness.

Dr. Murad, who converted to Islam in 1980, authored several books on Islam, including Journey to Makkah and Islam: The Alternative.

Born a Catholic, he studied at Harvard University. He served in the German Foreign Service from 1961 to 1994.

He first served in Algeria as a specialist on issues concerning nuclear defense. He went on to serve as Director of Information for NATO at Brussels from 1983 to 1987, Ambassador to Algeria from 1987 to 1990, and Ambassador to Morocco from 1990 to 1994.

Dr. Murad was also an honorary member and advisor to the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.

The news of his death was widely shared on social media with many Muslim organizations and figures mourning him

Yesterday died at the age of 88 Dr. Murad Hofmann, a well-known author, and thinker. The former German Ambassador, who converted to Islam in 1980, was a particularly remarkable and enriching part of the Muslim faith community in Germany,” the Islamic Community of Germany (DMG – Deutsche Muslimische Gemeinschaft e.V.) wrote on Facebook.

“The German Muslim community mourns the loss of an inspiring personality. From Allah we come and to Him we return home.”

Nachruf auf Dr. Murad Wilfried HofmannGestern verstarb im Alter von 88 Jahren Dr. Murad Hofmann, bekannter Autor und… Posted by DMG – Deutsche Muslimische Gemeinschaft e.V. on Monday, 13 January 2020

Great Loss

Dr. Yasir Qadhi, a leading American Muslim scholar also wrote a long message to mourn the German Muslim pioneer.

I was saddened to hear of the death of Murad Hoffman (1932-2020), a career German diplomat and ambassador to some Muslim… Posted by Yasir Qadhi on Monday, 13 January 2020

Abdullah Faliq, the managing director at The Cordoba Foundation, also wrote a message on Facebook to mourn Dr. Hofmann.

“Prof Murad Hofmann, diplomat, and scholar, dies. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un,” he wrote.

“Had the pleasure of hosting him several times over the years. A man of vision and contribution. May Allah accept all his endeavors.”

Hussam Ayloush, a Delegate at California Democratic Party and the executive director at CAIR – Greater Los Angeles, wrote, “Yesterday, the Muslim world lost an articulate and intelligent German Muslim thinker: Murad Wilfried Hofmann.”

“We hosted Hofmann in 1996 as the keynote speaker for our very first @CAIRgla annual banquet in Buena Park. His speech and humility inspired me and many others. May Allah grant him mercy and Jannah.”