Prof Ali Mazrui was truly a man of the people

The death of Ali Mazrui has brought to an abrupt end a journey of exemplary service to humanity by one of the greatest sons this nation has produced. Prof Mazrui was celebrated globally as one of the best professors of African and Islamic Studies.

This was a man who had it all, yet remained purposeful, selfless and humble. He did not at any point of his illustrious academic career allow the great power of his mind, the wide and important global networks he had built or even the great history of his family to dictate how he related with the world.