Our Team

Dr Emad El-Din Shahin is the Acting Director of CILE and the Dean of the College of Islamic Studies (CIS), Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation. Before joining CIS, he was the Hasib Sabbagh Distinguished Visiting Chair of Arabic and Islamic Studies and a visiting professor of Political Science at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Shahin holds a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, M.A. and BA from the American University in Cairo. He has taught in leading universities including Harvard, Notre Dame, George Washington, and Boston University. Shahin was a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Columbia University and public policy scholar at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He has authored, co-authored and co-edited six books and has more than 50 scholarly publications including journal articles, book chapters and encyclopedia entries. He is the editor-in-chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics and co-editor with John L. Esposito of The Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics.

Chauki Lazhar, originally from Belgium, is Deputy Director of CILE. He is a member of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and Lecturer in Applied Islamic Sciences at CIET Institute in Gent, Belgium. He read Islamic Studies at the European Institute of Human Science in Chateau Chinon and Paris, France (2003-2010) where he also memorized the entire Qur’an. He holds a BA cum laude (with honours) in Sharia and Theology and a MA summa cum laude (with highest honours) in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, and is currently a doctoral researcher in Islamic Law at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Chauki has presented lectures at several institutes in Belgium and France since 2007. In 2012 he was Lecturer in Islamic Sciences at Group T, international University College Leuven, Belgium. Chauki has taught a wide range of courses including Islamic Law, Theology, Quranic Exegeses (Tafsir), Principles of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh), Maqasid al Sharia, Quran and Hadith studies. His research interests in the field of Islamic Studies include Islamic Theology, Spirituality, Law and Thought. Latest publications: “The need for reform of Usûl al Fiqh in Modern Times” Arab Network for Research and Publishing (2016); “Gender Differentiation in Islamic Rulings, A Thorough Review of the Concept of Femininity in Islam”, co-authored, al Mudawwanah, Issue 15 (2018); “Women’s Prayer in the Mosque, the Specificities of Femininity that Prevent from the Benefit of Praying in the Mosque, Between Truth and Illusion”, Journal of Islamic Studies and Thought for Specialized Researches, Volume 4, (2018); “The Development of Contemporary Theorizations of Sharia Objectives”, Journal of Islamization of Knowledge, Issue 90 (2018).

Mawahib Abubakr’s research interests are ethics and gender, nationalism, transnationalism and feminism.   She holds a PhD in Women’s, Gender and Feminist Studies from York University, Toronto; an MA in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, The Netherlands; and a BA (Hons) in political science from University of Khartoum, Republic of Sudan.  She has also studied community development and community capacity building at the Institute in Management and Community Development at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. During her studies she was successful in winning several academic awards and grants, such as the African Fellowship at the American University in Cairo; the Ethel Armstrong Award in Women’s Studies, York University; and a grant from Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).  Mawahib has worked as teaching and research staff at the Department of Political Science, University of Khartoum and York University and with extensive experience of administration and community development in Khartoum, Toronto and Doha she joined CILE in 2013 as Business Support Manager responsible for administrative and financial operations. As a Research Associate, she conducts the field of Islam, Gender and Ethics.

Mohammed Ghaly is currently professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics, Center for Islamic Legislation & Ethics (CILE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar. In 1999, he did Islamic Studies in English at al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt and got his bachelor degree with Cum laude. In 2002, he got his M.A. degree in Islamic studies also with cum laude from Leiden University, the Netherlands and in 2008 he got his PhD degree from the same university. During the period 2008-2013, Ghaly was faculty member at Leiden University with main focus on Islamic Law and Ethics. Since 2011, Ghaly is faculty member of the Erasmus Mundus Program; the European Master of bioethics jointly organized by a number of European universities. In 2012, Ghaly was awarded the prestigious VENI grant (2012-2016) from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) to do research on “Islam and Biomedical Ethics”. During his academic career, Ghaly developed a wide range of research interests and academic publications within the field of Islamic studies including Islamic theology, Islamic law and (biomedical) ethics. Besides his book Islam and Disability: Perspectives in Theology and Jurisprudence (Routledge: 2010), Ghaly published in reputable journals in the fields of both Islamic studies and bioethics including Islamic Law and Society - Journal of Religion, Disability and Health - Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science and Bioethics. Ghaly is the guest-editor of the two thematic issues on “Islam and bioethics” published respectively by Zygon (September 2013) and Bioethics (February 2014). 

Watch Dr Ghaly's Podcast videos here.

Dr Ray Jureidini joined CILE in August, 2014. From 1975-1986 at the Flinders University of South Australia, he received his BA in Psychology and Sociology, First Class Honours in Sociology and PhD in Economic Sociology. After teaching Sociology in several universities in Australia, he spent 6 years at the American University of Beirut from 1999 where he began researching and publishing on human rights issues concerning migrant domestic workers and conducted the first survey of domestic workers in the region. At the American University in Cairo from 2005-2011, he became director of the Center for Migration and Refugee Studies and conducted a number of research projects on migrant and refugee issues, including household domestic workers, child domestic workers, Egyptian families of migrant workers abroad and a large survey of 1000 interviews, analyzing the trajectories of Somali and Ethiopian asylum seekers in Yemen, Syria and Turkey. In 2012, Dr. Jureidini spent a year as research consultant for the Center of Design Innovation at Qatar Foundation in Doha. He was one of the authors of the Qatar Foundation’s 2013 Mandatory Standards for Migrant Worker Welfare and the author of a 2014 report, Migrant Labour Recruitment to Qatar for the Qatar Foundation. In 2016, he authored the ILO White Paper publication, Ways Forward in Fair Recruitment of Low-skilled Migrant Workers in the Asia-Arab States Corridor. In 2017 he published papers on the wage protection systems in the GCC, the transnational culture of corruption in migrant labour recruitment, and Muslim perspectives on migrants and refugees. He is currently co-editing a book with Dr. Said Hassan on migration and Islam as part of CILE’s book series with Brill. Dr. Jureidini is also a consultant and advisor on refugee issues, labour recruitment, labour supply chain evaluations and migrant labour reform advocacy. To see his podcast videos, click here.

Mohamed El-Moctar Shinqiti is Associate Professor of Political Ethics at CILE. His academic interests include Islamic political thought and ethics; religious reform and sectarian history of Muslim societies.  He holds a PhD in the history of religion from Texas Tech University, USA on “The Crusades’ Impact on Sunni-Shi’a Relations” and currently teaches history of religion and philosophy of religion at the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS), Hamad Ben Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar. Mohamed previously taught Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) and Arabic grammar at Al-Iman University, Yemen; Arabic literature at the American Open University in Virginia, USA; and world religions at Qatar University. Most of his books and articles have been translated and published in Turkish language; some have been translated into Albanian, Bosnian and Persian; and some are currently being translated into Kurdish.  Mohamed is a regular contributor to Al-Jazeera TV channel and its website, where he has published over 400 analytical articles in Arabic and English. He has also participated in several regional and international conferences. To see his podcast videos, click here.

Mu’taz Al Khatib is Assistant Professor of Methodology and Ethics at CILE. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies, from Damascus (1997) and a BA in Arabic literature from Al-Azhar University, Cairo (1998).  He received his MA in 2002 and PhD in 2009 on "The Textual Critical Approach of Hadith: A Study into the Methods of Traditionalists (Muhaddithun) & Legal Theorists (Usuliyun)", published in Beirut, 2011. Mu'taz is a founding member of al-Multaqah al-Fikri li al-Ibdaa' (Intellectual Forum for Innovation, 1999), and was the anchor of Alsharia and Life program, on Al Jazeera channel (2004-2013).  He served as Editor-in-Chief of "Islam and Contemporary Affairs" at IslamOnline.net (2003-2008). He was a visiting fellow at ZMO, Berlin (2006), and visiting scholar at the Forum Transregionale Studien, Berlin (2012-2013). Mu'taz has also been a visiting lecturer at the Islamic University of Beirut and Qatar University. He has presented invited lectures at various academic institutions including Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) at the University of California; Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia at Princeton University; Institute for the Near and Middle East at the University of Ludwig-Maximilians, Munich; and the University of Osnabrück, Germany.
He is reviewer for a number of journals including Islamization of Knowledge from the International Institute of Islamic Thought; Journal of al-Tajdīd  from the International Islamic University, Malaysia; and the Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies, Qatar.  Mu'taz is also author and editor of several books and over twenty academic articles on Hadith criticism, Islamic interpretation methods, Islamic intellectual history, and Islamic Law. He has written numerous journal articles for Arabic language newspapers and magazines, including Al-Hayat, Weghat Nazar, and al-Manār al-Jadīd. To see his podcast videos (only in Arabic), click here.

Dr. Mokhtar Lahmer was born in the Moroccan city of Safi. He is a senior research at CILE. Lahmar completed his BA degree in experimental Sciences (1993). In 1999 he got a degree in Islamic Studies from Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université Chouaib Doukkali with a thesis on political participation. He obtained his MA in Islamic Studies in 2001, majoring in Research Methodology in Islamic Sciences at Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Mohammed V with a thesis on “Reasoning tendency of Averroes in his book: Bidayat al-Mujtahid Wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid”. In 2011 he completed his PhD thesis on “Contracts of Adhesion in Islamic Fiqh and Civil Law: A Comparative Study”. His research interests include: Legal Policy, Islamic Finance in addition to some published and unpublished contributions. The researcher has a career with some scholarship and scientific organizations and centers for more than ten years. He worked as a researcher at the office of Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi for six years; he was entrusted with the task of providing scientific support to the central administration of The International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) as well as IUMS financial director for two years (2011-12), and coordination manager for another two years (2013-14). He worked as a writer and a journalist with Al-Arab Qatari Newspaper for two years (2008-09) where he created an Islamic finance page in addition to writing scientific articles in many fields. He obtained a diploma in talk shows & TV news presenting from Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Center (June 2012).

He is a New Zealander who grew up in Tunisia and completed his education in sociology and Islamic Studies overseas. He completed his BA in 1992 majoring in Applied Sociology and Statistics, his MA in 1997 majoring in Islamic Studies and his PhD in 2003 specializing in Political Sociology. He also holds certificates in Small Business Management, Treaty of Waitangi, and Malaysian Language and Studies. Dr Ahmed speaks Arabic, English, French and Malay. He worked as an Assistant Professor at the International Islamic University in Malaysia, and as an International Student Advisor, a Consultant and Casual Lecturer at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He also worked as an Academic Director with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in New Zealand. As a volunteer, he led Al-Manar Organization, the Center for Education and Development, and was the producer and presenter of Noor English/Arabic Radio program in New Zealand. Dr Ahmed has  been engaged in public speaking in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Tunisia and Qatar. He delivered many specialized lectures and seminars and participated in several international conferences and workshops. His main research interests include contemporary issues in Sociology and Muslim societies, Applied Ethics, and Islamic Thought and Civilization and he has a number of publications to his name. Dr Ahmed  believes that knowledge is power and ethics is paramount.

Graduated from Northwestern University in Qatar on 2014, with a bachelor of science in Communications and Media Studies. Rawan has also obtained a certificate in Public Relations. She has always worked in academic places such as Northwestern University, Doha institute for Graduate Studies and has been working for CILE since July 2017.

Graduated from College of the North Atlantic-Qatar on June 2010 as an Internet Applications Developer. She worked at Qatar Foundation’s Board Management Office between May 2011 until October 2013 as a System Support Officer. Mona Joined CILE as an Events coordinator on November 2013.

As Programme Manager at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK Mrs Caroline Davis oversees the academic office of Professor Tariq Ramadan and it is through this role that she became a member of the CILE Advisory Board. Graduating from the University of Bristol with a BSc (Hons) in Geography, Caroline also holds a graduate diploma in business administration from Oxford. Caroline has over 15 years’ experience working in academic administration with an international focus, starting her career at the London office of CAB International - a not-for-profit environmental research organisation which works with specific member countries to improve people’s lives by providing information, training and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Caroline went on to work in the Chief Executive’s office of the UK Government’s science and technology facility Research Council (STFC), as PA to the CEO and latterly as Programme Manager for the international programme. In this varied role Caroline was responsible for managing a UK national research grant funding programme; writing and editorial work on behalf of the international team; preparing briefings for the Chief Executive, administering international research workshops; and working with two international advisory boards. Caroline is also committed to contributing to her local community, juggling her part-time role at the University with raising her young family and volunteering at the village primary school amongst other local initiatives. All of which has prepared Caroline well for her role within the Advisory Board.

Yamin Makri is 48 years, married and father of 4 children. He was born in France and it is in France where he studied. In 1987, he gained his dental surgeon's diploma (dentist). In 1988, he founded a local organization the “Union of the young muslims”. This organization aimed at expressing that Islam is now a French religion. In 2004, we launched an Islamic training center : the Ash-Shatibi training center. (http://www.ujm.fr/ and http://www.shatibi.fr/).  In 1989, we founded the publishing house “Tawhid”, it is a publishing house specialized in the islamic culture in French language. Today this islamic publishing house is one the most important of the French-speaking world and we sell its books in all the muslim french-speaking area (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec, western Africa). I am at present the Chief Executive Officer of this structure. (http://www.edition-tawhid.com/ and http://www.islam-france.com/)

In 1992, we launch a national structure which has the same objectives as the UJM (union of the young muslims) but its activities extend throughout France. It is the “Collectif des musulmans de France” (http://www.lecmf.org/).  In 1996, on the initiative of Pr. Tariq Ramadan, we set up “Presence Musulmane” which acts on all the french-speaking area. The objective is to develop an understanding faithful and conceptualized of our Texts (Qur’ân and Sunna). We also encourage all the organizations members to multiply concerted actions with the not-muslim organizations. (http://presencemusulmane.com/). In 2002, I participate in the creation of the “Collective 69 of solidarity with the Palestinian people”, this organization groups together not-muslim organizations (politics organizations, syndicates, civil society) (http://collectif69palestine.free.fr/). During summer, 2011, I participate in the second international flotilla to break the blockade on Gaza. About fifteen western countries is represented. We are arrested in international waters, near Gaza, by the Israeli strengths. Imprisoned and questioned for two days, we are finally expelled each in the country of origin. A journalist and a cameraman of Al Jazeera accompanied us and were also expelled. (http://collectif69palestine.free.fr/spip.php?article359). Today, with others brothers and sisters, we set up a national organization : “French union of muslim consumers”. Because the reflections around alternative economy, around ecology and subject of the ethics in the consumption become major questions. We have this day 3500 members. (http://www.ufcm.fr/)

Sharif Hasan al-Banna is Director of the Islamic Institute for Development & Research (IIDR), a pioneering knowledge provider and research organization. He is a Board Member of the British Academy of Quranic Studies (BAQS) and Chair of the European Foundation for Muslim Philanthropy (EFMP). Sharif is also a successful entrepreneur and the CEO of a global award winning publishing and media company specializing in value-driven and faith-inspired content. He is one of the youngest recipients of a royal award (MBE) from Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to faith and society. Sharif read Law at the University of London and Arabic Language & Literature at the University of Alexandria in Egypt and has received classical training in Islamic scholarship under the tutelage of some of the world's leading Muslim scholars and jurists. He is currently a doctoral candidate researching jurisprudence and legal theory at Al-Azhar University (Egypt). Sharif has authored and translated several works on Islamic law, spirituality and contemporary Islamic thought. His forthcoming publications include: Sacred Law in Secular Spaces and Entrepreneurship: An Islamic Imperative.

Safiyyah Surtee is a postgraduate candidate in the Study of Islam Program at the University of Johannesburg's Department of Religious Studies, her M.A focussed on Hanafi fiqh and women's embodiment, and she is involved in ongoing research on Islam, feminism, politics and spirituality.  Safiyyah has also taught as a Teaching Fellow in the department under supervision of Professor Farid Essack. Previously, she worked on programs and research projects at the Afro-Middle East Centre. Safiyyah serves on the committee of Masjid al-Islam, a gender inclusive, non-sectarian mosque in Johannesburg. She is a co-founder of Faithworks South Africa, a Quran study circle and interfaith initiative. Most recently, Safiyyah was one of the key initiators of the CILE Alumni Network (CAN), a global movement of thought, to disseminate the work of CILE.  She is a community activist, public speaker, writer, wife, mother to twin girls and best friend to her horses.

holds a PhD in Philosophy and Civilization Studies from University Putra Malaysia (2004) and MA in Comparative religions and Islamic Thought from the International Islamic University Malaysia (1998) and a BA in Comparative Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Islamic and Social sciences, Batna University, Algeria (1994). He is currently an associate professor of Comparative and Philosophy of Religions, Department of Comparative religion, at QFIS, Qatar. He worked previously at the International Islamic University as an Assistant Researcher, Head of Research at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Batna University Algeria, and an Associate professor of Islamic studies (Islamic Creed, Ethics, Culture, Civilization, and Orientalism studies) at the Faculty of Arts, King Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  His research interests include; Philosophy and Comparative Religions, Culture and Civilization, History of ideas, Philosophy of History and Islamic Philosophy. He received the Lamia al-Faruqi Award for academic excellence 1997. He is a member of the Committee of Academic Affairs, QFIS, since October 27, 2015, AB Committee member, CILE, QFIS, since January 2015.

He was the president of the Scientific Committee of the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Batna, Algeria, 2008-2009. Member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Arts, University of Batna, Algeria, since 2008-2009. Member of the Scientific Committee of the Social and Human Sciences Review, Batna University, Algeria, since January 2008. Member of the editorial committee of the Review of The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Batna University, since June 2008. Founder and Director of Master's project in "the philosophy of civilization", Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Batna, Algeria: the first specialized graduate program in the philosophy of civilization in the Algerian universities, 2009. Dr. Badrane has supervised research theses at the levels of Masters and PhD, and has participated in over 25 national and international conferences, published two books, and over 12 academic articles, and many articles in newspapers and websites.