Our Advisory Board Persons

Prof. Dr. Mehmut Asutay

Director Durham Center of Islamic Economics and Finance, UK

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Asutay is a leading scholar in Islamic political economy, moral economy, and finance. He holds a BA and MSc in Public Finance from the University of Istanbul, a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic & Social Policy Analysis from the University of York, an MA in Economics of Public Policy and a PhD in Political Economics from the University of Leicester. He is Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Political Economy & Finance at Durham University, where he also directs the MSc Islamic Finance program, leads the Durham Centre for Islamic Economics & Finance, and runs the Islamic Finance Summer School. His research focuses on (a) reconstructing Islamic economics into an Islamic moral economy grounded in stakeholder-based governance, (b) examining how Islamic finance can promote sustainable development and human welfare, and (c) the political economy of development in the Middle East with particular attention to Turkey and Kurdish regions. In recognition of his influential contributions, especially in integrating Islamic finance with sustainable development and welfare imperatives, he was awarded the 2024 Islamic Development Bank Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics

Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad

Rector Riphah International University, Islamabad

Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad is a distinguished Pakistani social scientist, educationist, and scholar of Islam, born on 23 March 1944. He holds a PhD from Temple University, USA, and has held key leadership roles including founding Vice-Chancellor of Riphah International University, Vice President of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), as well as founding Dean at the Faculty of Revealed Knowledge & Human Sciences at IIU Malaysia. He is known for integrating Islamic ethics and values into higher education curricula, promoting comparative religion, and addressing socio-political, cultural, and educational issues through his writings. He has published more than 90 research papers, contributed to major encyclopedias, been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, and since 2022 serves as Chairman of the National Rahmatul-Lil-Alameen Authority.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut

President of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut is a Turkish economist and economic historian, currently serving as the President (Rector) of İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. He earned his Ph.D. from Utrecht University in 2000 in Economic History. His research focuses include long-term economic development (longue durée), comparative analyses of economic performance across countries, the reasons for divergences, international political economy, Ottoman‐European/Atlantic economic relations, history of economic thought, and institutions of finance. He is a member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), was appointed to Turkey’s Higher Education Council, and is Editor-in-Chief of journals such as the Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance and Adam Akademi Social Science

Shinsuke Nagaoka

Professor Kyoto University Japan

Prof. Shinsuke Nagaoka is a leading Japanese scholar in Islamic economics and finance. He is currently Professor in the Global Area Studies Division at the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University. He earned an M.A. in Economics from The University of Tokyo (2004) and a Ph.D. in Islamic Area Studies from Kyoto University (2009). His research spans interdisciplinary areas including Islamic finance, history of money, interest/usury, comparative economic thought, as well as institutions like zakat and waqf. Nagaoka is also interested in how Islamic economic philosophy can offer perspectives on contemporary problems under capitalism and contribute ideas for post-capitalist models. Some of his notable works include Critical Overview of the History of Islamic Economics: Formation, Transformation, and New Horizons and A Theory of Contemporary Islamic Finance Practiced by Financial Institutions: Understanding Murabahah Contract.

Zafar Keyani

Professor of Economics, Trent University Canada

Zafar Kayani is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Trent University, where he teaches macroeconomics, statistics, Islamic finance and economics, and risk management & insurance. He holds advanced degrees including a PhD from Washington State University, and earlier degrees from institutions in Pakistan, such as a BA from Karachi and MSc from Islamabad. His work emphasizes pedagogical excellence, with a strong orientation toward theoretical and applied economic topics, especially those related to finance in the Islamic context.

Prof Dr. Muhammad Aslam Haneef

Deputy Vice Chancellor IIUM

Prof. Dr. Mohamed Aslam Mohamed Haneef is a distinguished professor of economics at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), where he currently serves as Deputy Rector (Research, Innovation and Development) at the Gombak Campus. He earned his PhD in “Intellectual Parameters of Contemporary Islamic Economic Thought” from the University of East Anglia, a Master’s degree in Economics from Universiti Malaya, and a Bachelor’s (Honours) in Economics from IIUM. His areas of teaching and research include Islamic economics, development, waqf and zakat economics, and entrepreneurship; among his many contributions are supervisory roles for PhD projects, publications in international journals, and involvement in research and institutional development initiatives at IIUM.

Prof. Lufti Sunar

Rector International Balkan University

Prof. Dr. Lütfi Sunar is the Rector of International Balkan University (IBU) in Skopje, North Macedonia. Under his leadership, IBU has focused on maintaining high academic standards, enhancing internationalization, and fostering cooperation with universities and institutions abroad. He emphasizes diverse faculty and student bodies, strong research activity, and expansion of educational offerings with the goal of producing well-rounded graduates prepared for global challenges.

Farooq Murad

TDG Islamic Foundation UK

Farooq Salman Murad is a British‐Pakistani social activist, community leader and scholar who currently serves as the Director General (CEO) of the Islamic Foundation UK. He is the son of the late Khurram Murad, a well-known Islamic thinker and former Director General of the same Foundation. Before assuming his current role he has held a number of prominent leadership positions, including Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (2010-2014), Chairman of Muslim Aid (2004-2008), and President of the Islamic Society of Britain (1998-2000). Professionally trained in Engineering and Management (University of Loughborough), his work spans organisational development, interfaith dialogue, community regeneration and Islamic education.

Dr. Munawwar A. Anees

Consultant John Templeton Foundation , USA

Dr. Munawar A. Anees is a scholar, cultural critic, and author noted for his interdisciplinary work at the intersection of religion, ethics, science, and society. Originally trained as a biologist, he has authored several books and over 300 articles exploring topics such as bioethics, gender, science in Islam, and the ethical implications of modern technology. His book “Islam and Biological Futures: Ethics, Gender and Technology” has been especially influential in the field of Islamic bioethics. Dr. Anees has played roles beyond academia—he has been founding and advisory editor for various scholarly journals, engaged in public discourse, and has been recognized for his contributions, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Ahmad Ali Siddiqui

SEVP Meezan Bank

Ahmad Ali Siddiqui is a senior executive in Pakistan’s Islamic finance sector, currently serving as Group Head of Shariah Compliance at Meezan Bank. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, where he earned six gold medals. Over more than 21 years in the field, his expertise covers Shariah-compliant product development, sovereign Sukuk structuring, policy formulation, Shariah audit and compliance, and Islamic advisory services. He is also the founding Director of IBA’s Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance, acts as Secretary to the Shariah Supervisory Board of Meezan Bank, and has advised the Pakistani government on Islamic financial transactions exceeding billions of US dollars in sovereign Sukuk issuances.

Prof. Murniati Mukhlisin

Rector, Tazkia Islamic University, Indonesia

Prof. Murniati Mukhlisin, M.Acc., Ph.D., is a distinguished scholar and practitioner in Islamic economics, finance, and education, widely recognized for her contributions to the development of Shariah-compliant financial systems and literacy. She has served as Rector of Tazkia Islamic University College, Indonesia, and is actively engaged in promoting Islamic economic thought through teaching, research, policy advocacy, and community outreach. With academic training in accounting and Islamic finance, Prof. Murniati has published extensively in both national and international journals, focusing on Islamic financial literacy, financial inclusion, and the integration of ethical values into economic practices. She is also a respected speaker at global forums on Islamic finance and education, playing a key role in shaping future leaders and fostering institutions committed to sustainable, value-based development.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kameel Mydin Meera

Deputy Vice Chancellor Sultan Azlan Shah University, Malaysia

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kameel Mydin Meera is a distinguished scholar of Islamic economics and finance, renowned for his pioneering contributions to Islamic monetary theory, financial systems, and economic reform. He has served as a Professor of Finance at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), where his teaching and research have influenced generations of students and researchers worldwide. Dr. Meera’s work critically examines the global fiat monetary system and advocates for Shariah-compliant alternatives that promote justice, stability, and sustainability. With several influential books and research papers to his credit, including writings on Islamic gold dinar, financial crises, and the need for restructuring the world’s economic order, he is recognized as one of the foremost intellectual voices advancing the cause of Islamic finance and socio-economic transformation.