WASHINGTON, DC – A leading Gambian American Muslim scholar and professor at Howard University has passed away on November 12, at the age of 74, after an accomplished life of service to humanity.

“Dr. Sulayman Nyang has returned to his Creator. Dr. Nyang was one of the leading scholars of Islam and the former chair/professor of African studies at Howard University. He was a man of wisdom, full of humility and a selfless person who attended to all those in need,” the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) wrote on Facebook.

“May Allah SWT bless him and make him an honorable guest. Allahumma Ameen.”

Dr. Nyang was a former professor and Chairman of African Studies Department at Howard University in Washington DC.

He also served as a former Deputy Ambassador and Head of Chancery at the Gambian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during President Jawara’s rule.

Nyang served as a consultant to several national and international agencies and on the boards of the African Studies Association, the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies, America’s Islamic Heritage Museum, and the Association of Muslim Social Scientists.

He wrote extensively on Islamic, African and Middle Eastern affairs. He held a master’s degree in public administration and a Ph.D. in government from the University of Virginia.

Nyang was an advising scholar for the award-winning, PBS-broadcast documentaries Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet (2002) and Prince Among Slaves (2007), produced by Unity Productions Foundation.

He mentored and supervised the work of hundreds of graduate students and many more undergraduates, both at Howard University and at other institutions of higher learning outside the United States.

The leading professor was mourned by many Muslim scholars.

“We’ve lost a beautiful scholar in Dr. Sulayman Nyang. To Allah we belong and to Him we return,” Dr. Omar Suleiman wrote on Facebook.

“These last few years have been tough for him. May Allah have mercy on him and comfort his family. Ameen.”

The Council on American Islamic Relations also mourned the deceased.

“We have been informed that our brother and teacher, Dr. Sulayman Nyang has passed. May Allah forgive him his sins, make his grave spacious, and make ease for his family,” CAIR wrote on Facebook.