Meet Our Team

PROF. DR. ZULKARNAIN MUHAMMAD SORI​​

Accounting & Auditing Corporate Governance & Shariah Governance Accounting​

Prof. Dr. Zulkarnain is a Professor (Full) of Accounting specializing in financial reporting, accounting standards, auditing, corporate governance, Islamic accounting & Shariah governance. He received his Bachelor of Accounting & Master of Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) & PhD from Cardiff University, UK. He is a Chartered Accountant (Malaysian Institute of Accountants [MIA]), a Certified Training Professional (FAA), a Certified Professional Trainer (MIM) & a Certified Trainer (HRDF). He is actively involved in consulting, research & teaching at INCEIF/ISRA. His recent consultancy projects include Shariah assurance services, internal audit services, training of 300 members of BOD of Islamic banks & their related institutions (organised by the BNM). He is currently serving as a member of the Standards Review Taskforce of the MQA. He was a Visiting Scholar at the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (funded by Erasmus+ EU) & the Asian Accounting Finance & Business Research Unit, Cardiff University (funded by UPM). Dr Zulkarnain was a Council Member of the MIA (2008-2010-2012). He is currently the member of Expert Panel for the Cooperative Institute of Malaysia & the External Examiner of various Malaysian universities. ​​

Prior to joining INCEIF, he held various senior positions at UPM & Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. Currently, he is a member of the National Professor Council, an associate member of Putra Business School & a trainer for the Chartered Institute of Islamic Professionals (CIIF) and the MIA. Prior to joining the academia, he started his career as an accountant/auditor in trading, transportation & services industry for more than 4 years. Dr Zulkarnain has published extensively in academic & professional journals. His scholarly work includes publication of several books in accounting, corporate governance & finance disciplines. His book entitled ‘Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting of Islamic Financial Institutions’ has been widely circulated & become the ‘Best Seller’ for more than 6 consecutive months. He is currently the Associate Editor of the Journal of Islamic Accounting & Business Research (Scopus Indexed/Emerald Publishing), IPN Journal of Research & Practice in Public Sector Accounting & Management (IPN/Accountant General Office) & the Journal of Muamalat and Islamic Finance Research. He was the Founding Editor and past Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Economics and Management (Scopus Indexed). He has successfully supervised more than 30 PhD theses & help students publish from the completed PhD research.​​​

PROF. DR. SAID BOUHERAOUA​​​

Maqasid al-Shariah and Fiq Muamalat
Islamic Banking and Takaful Product Structuring

Professor Dr. Said Bouheraoua is currently a Senior Researcher and Director of Research Affairs Department at the International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance and a lecturer at the Global University of Islamic Finance (INCEIF), Malaysia.​

He is the editor-in-chief of ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance; an Independent Board Member of Affin Islamic Bank; a member of the Board Audit Committee of Affin Group; a member of the Board Compliance Committee of Affin Group; a Shariah Advisory Board member of the Central Bank of Oman; Chairman of Affin Islamic Shariah committee; Chairman of Trust Bank Amana Surinam Shariah Committee; Shariah Advisory Board member of MNRB Takaful & Retakaful; Shariah Advisory Board member of ISRA Consultancy institute; and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Experts at Sun Trust Bank Nigeria Limited.​

Dr Said has published many books, and chapters in books as well as several articles in refereed journals. He has also presented several papers at international conferences including the International Fiqh Academy of the OIC and has conducted several trainings in Islamic banking and finance in Malaysia and abroad.​​​

PROF. DR. YOUNES SOUALHI​

Islamic Jurisprudence of Islamic Capital Market, Re-takaful and Takaful
Maqasid al-Shariah

Prof. Dr. Younes Soualhi is currently a Senior Researcher at the International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance ( ISRA) and the Head of Islamic Banking Unit. He also teaches at the Global University of Islamic Finance, Malaysia (INCEIF). He is the chairman of the Shari’ah board of Munich Re Retakaful, the sole Shariah advisor for Kuwait Retakaful (Labuan, Malaysia), the chairman of Shariah council of experts for Salam Takaful (Nigeria), a member of Shari’ah Committe of HSBCAmanah Malaysia. He is also a member of Shariah advisory council of Adengreen (Dubai) and Salihin Bhd Malaysia. He is a registered financial planner (RFP, MFPC). He is also a member of AAOIFI Shariah sub-committee. He served as a subject matter expert for Global Takaful Survey (CIBAFI).​

Having a teaching experience of 23 years, he taught many Islamic finance subjects, including Takaful and retakaful courses at Masters and Phd levels. He published many articles and Books in Islamic Banking and Finance, including Takaful and retakaful. He got his B.A in Shari’ah from Emir Abdulqadir University for Islamic Sciences in Algeria, and his M.A&P.HD from IIUM and UM (Malaysia) respectively. He also holds a Diploma in Human Sciences.​​​​

PROF. DR. AISHATH MUNEEZA​​

Islamic Finance Law​

Prof. Dr. Aishath Muneeza of INCEIF University has held various prestigious positions throughout her career, including serving as the first female Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Maldives and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury in Maldives. Additionally, she has contributed significantly to the development of Islamic finance in Maldives by holding key roles such as Head of Islamic Finance at the Capital Market Development Authority of Maldives, member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy (National Fatawa Council of Maldives), and Chairman of the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited. Prof. Dr. Muneeza’s expertise extends to consultancy in Islamic finance, where she pioneered the development of the first Shariah-compliant Islamic microfinance scheme, in the country. Furthermore, she has played a crucial role as the Shariah Advisor in structuring corporate sukuk offerings and Islamic treasury instruments for both public and private entities in Maldives. Her vast experience also includes drafting the Islamic capital market legal framework for the country.​

Since 2013, Prof. Dr. Muneeza has been a registered Shariah Adviser with the Capital Market Development Authority of Maldives, specializing in structuring Islamic capital market products. Additionally, she holds the title of registered Shariah Adviser at the Securities Commission of Malaysia and is recognized as an accredited Shariah Scholar under the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. From 2011 to 2022, she chaired the apex Shariah Advisory Council of the Capital Market Development Authority of Maldives and served as the chairperson of various in-house Shariah advisory committees. She also contributes her expertise as a member of the Public Interest Monitoring Consultative Committee (PIMCC) of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), Bahrain. Moreover, she serves as an EXCO member of the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance (ASAS), Malaysia. Her academic affiliations include being an Associate Research Fellow at the International Research Centre of Islamic Economics and Finance (IRCIEF), University Islam Selangor, and an Associate Researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Islamic Social Finance (CoEISF), INCEIF. Additionally, she currently holds the position of Senior Islamic Finance Advisor for UNFPA, Malaysia.​

Prof. Dr. Muneeza has authored over 300 publications on Islamic finance and has published more than 15 books. She is a sought-after speaker at Islamic finance events worldwide. She is a certified training professional accredited by the Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA). She has been honored with numerous national and international awards for her unwavering dedication to the advancement of the Islamic finance industry in the Maldives. These accolades include the Rehendhi Award in 2018 for her outstanding contributions to the development of Islamic finance, recognition as an Upcoming Personality in Islamic Finance in 2017 by Flemingulf, and the Service Recognition Award from Maldives Islamic Bank for her pivotal role in introducing and structuring Islamic treasury instruments. She has also been recognized by Housing Development and Finance Corporation PLC and Amana Takaful Maldives for her significant contributions to the Islamic finance sector. Additionally, she is acknowledged in Islamica 500 as an influential figure in Islamic economics.​​​​​

ASSOC. PROF. DR. MOHAMED FAIROOZ ABDUL KHIR​​​

Shariah Studies
Islamic Finance Practices​

Dr Fairooz obtained his Bachelor of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage (Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh) in 2000 from International Islamic University and Master of Shariah in 2005 from University of Malaya. Subsequently in 2011, he attained his PhD in Shariah (Islamic Finance) from University of Malaya. ​

Dr Fairooz is currently an Associate Professor at International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) since 2020. Prior to joining INCEIF, he served Islamic University of Malaysia for Cluster of Islamic Accounting, Finance and Banking School as an Associate Professor from 2016-2020 as well as the International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) as researcher and Head of Islamic Banking Unit for more than six years. Dr Fairooz also served the Center for Foundation Studies, International Islamic University (IIUM) for 8 years as lecturer at the Department of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences from 2002 to 2010. ​

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Apart from serving INCEIF, Dr Fairooz also serves as member of Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) of Securities Commission Malaysia, member of Fatwa Committee of Perak (Ahli Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Perak), member of Perak Islamic Religious Council and Malay Customs (Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Perak) and member of Board Shariah Committee (BSC) of CIMB Islamic Bank. Dr Fairooz has also served Agrobank as Shariah Committee member for nine years and Shariah Committee member of Maybank Islamic Berhad for seven years. Prior to joining Zurich Takaful Malaysia Berhad as an Independent Non-Executive Director, he was the member of Group Shariah Committee (GSC) to MNRB Holdings Berhad (Takaful Ikhlas Berhad and Malaysian Reinsurance Retakaful Division-MRRD). ​

Dr Fairooz is also a registered Shariah adviser with Securities Commission, Malaysia for the Islamic Unit Trust Schemes and Islamic Securities (Sukuk). As researcher, Dr Fairooz involves actively in researches related to Islamic finance amongst others, Ibra’ and Its Implementation in Islamic Banking from the Perspective of Maqasid al-Shari’ah, Parameter of Hiyal (Legal Stratagem) in Islamic Finance, Personal Financing: An Alternative to Bay’ al-‘Inah, Fatwa in Islamic Finance: A Comparative Study Between Malaysia and GCC and Book on Islamic Legal Maxims and Their Application in Islamic Finance. He has presented many academic papers at various conferences, locally as well as overseas.​

ASSOC. PROF. DR. SA‘ID ADEKUNLE MIKAIL​

Islamic Finance

Dr. Sa’id is a Researcher at the International Shari‘ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA). He also teaches at International Centre of Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF). He is also a member of the Shariah Board of The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). ​

Dr Sa’id is an AAOIFI Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor and a Registered Shariah Adviser with Securities Commission of Malaysia, a Member of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK and Member of AAOIFI Working Group of the Curriculum Review Committee. He is the Chairman of several Shariah Boards including BNP Paribas (Najmah) Malaysia Berhad & BNP Paribas Labuan, Crown Takaful Insurance Ltd, Capital Trust and D’Namaz Capital in Nigeria. He also sits as Shariah Committee Member of TAJBank Ltd, PruBSN Takaful Malaysia Berhad, i-Consult Africa in South Africa, Masryef Management House in Malaysia, and Marble Capital Halal Commodity.​​

His areas of specialisation include Islamic finance, Islamic social finance, comparative laws, and Islamic private equity & venture capital. His publications focus on Shariah issues in Islamic finance, Islamic legal theory, Islamic private equity & venture capital, Islamic entrepreneurship, comparative law, zakat, waqf and Islamic social finance. He has also published in several Scopus indexed journals, referee journals, magazines, and book chapters. He has presented many papers in both international and national seminars and conferences on Islamic finance and contemporary Shariah issues.​​

Dr Sa’id obtained his Bachelor’s degree of Shariah (first class honour) from Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, followed by Master of Comparative Laws and PhD (Law) from International Islamic University Malaysia.​​

ASSOC. PROF. DR. ZIYAAD MAHOMED​​

Islamic Capital Markets

Dr Ziyaad is an Associate Professor, Lead Researcher (Shariah) for the Centre of Excellence in Social Finance, and Head of Online Programmes at INCEIF University. As a Shariah Advisor, Dr Ziyaad has supported Islamic finance, regulation, social finance, fintech and sustainability for almost 25 years.

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His work spans over 20 countries, with more than 12,000 participants attending his training programmes on various aspects of Islamic finance. Dr Ziyaad has received several international awards for his social finance models. His unique funding models include flood disaster recovery using blended Islamic social finance, Sukuk-Waqf for water and sanitation for the International Federation of Red Cross in Switzerland, zakat fintech solutions on blockchain, and zakat agency models for the Pakistani and Malaysian Red Crescent, amongst others. ​

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He is also a World Bank consultant and Adjunct Professor at the Asia School of Business (collab with MIT in the USA). Dr Ziyaad is Chairman of Shariah boards of HSBC Amanah, Tajbank, FBN Quest and One17 Capital in Nigeria, Ayady Takaful and BML Islamic in the Maldives and iConsult Africa in South Africa. He holds a Master’s and PhD in Islamic Finance from Malaysia, an MBA from South Africa, a BA (Hons) in Business (Finance) from the UK, and certification in the Islamic sciences from South Africa and Jordan. ​

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He lectures in Islamic Jurisprudence, Law of Contract, Sustainability and Social Finance, with over 100 publications in academic and professional output.​

ASSOC. PROF. DR. MAGDA ISMAIL ABDEL MOHSIN​​​

Islamic Economics
Islamic Social Finance

Dr. Magda Ismail Abdel Mohsin is current working at INCEIF, the Global University of Islamic Finance as lecturer and researcher. She obtained her doctorate in Islamic Civilization/Islamic Economy from the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC)/the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2003.​

Prior to joining INCEIF in 2007 she holds two administrative jobs besides teaching at the International Islamic College as Head of Economic Department and as Deputy Chief Executive Academic. She taught many subjects in Islamic economics and Islamic finance such as Economics, Principles of Micro-Economics, Principles of Macro-Economics, Foundation of Islamic Economics, Islamic Economics, Business Economics and Economics for Islamic Finance​​

She also wrote many articles in the same field. She presented many conference papers locally as well as internationally in Muslim and Muslim minority countries spreading the knowledge of Islamic economics and Islamic finance for fair and just society for all. Examples of such papers are;A New Innovative Approach. Financing through cash-waqf: A new innovation for the 21st century. Microfinance through Islamic Banks & zakah (A Novel Practice).​​

ASSOC. PROF. DR. KINAN SALIM​

Islamic Banking
Fintech

Dr. Kinan is an Associate Professor at INCEIF. He has been engaged in a variety of projects and provided services to leading institutions in finance and Islamic finance. Early in his career, he served as Head of Corporate Finance in Cham Islamic Bank in Syria. Prior to his PhD, he obtained a Master’s degree in Islamic finance from INCEIF, a Master in Banking and Financial Science from The Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences, a Diploma (post-graduate) in Financial and Monetary Economic and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. ​​

Dr Kinan leads the Islamic Digital Economy at INCEIF where he works with the stakeholders in Islamic fintech ecosystem to advocate Islamic fintech. He specialises in Islamic finance, fintech and sustainable finance. His research and consultancy focusing on designing frameworks and provide capacity building for innovative policies and products for Islamic fintech, sustainable finance and financial inclusion. ​

ASST. PROF. DR. ALI ZHANG HENGCHAO​​

Applied Economics
Digital Finance

Dr. Hengchao, Zhang earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics with Honors from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2010. During his convocation, he was honored with the Best Student in Finance (Academic) award and the Rector List Award. Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he promptly pursued a Master’s degree in Economics at IIUM. Subsequently, he undertook his Ph.D. studies in Islamic Banking and Finance at IIiBF, IIUM, with financial sponsorship from IRTI, the Islamic Development Bank. He successfully defended his Ph.D. in 2020, after which he assumed the role of Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics in June 2021.​

Currently, Dr. Zhang holds the position of Assistant Professor at the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, INCEIF University. His research interests encompass a wide spectrum, including Financial Economics, Financial Technologies, Sustainable Economic Development, and the Islamic Capital Market. He boasts an impressive record of research paper publications in prestigious academic journals. Notable among these are the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money, Journal of Asia-Pacific Business, Journal of Economic Cooperation and Development, and others.​

Moreover, Dr. Zhang’s expertise has led to invitations as a guest speaker at prominent Islamic Banking and Finance conferences and forums in Qatar, Turkey, and Hong Kong (China). Furthermore, he has been appointed as a consultant for various financial and investment companies in China. Notable among these appointments are roles at Bank of China, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Agricultural Comprehensive Investment Corporation, Ningxia Zhongcai High-Tech Investment Management Co., Ltd, and Mega Capital International Holdings Limited.​

DR. NOOR SUHAIDA KASRI ​​​

Legal Islamic Capital Market

Dr. Noor Suhaida is currently a Senior Researcher at International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA). She is also the Head of ISRA’s Islamic Capital Market Unit. Prior to joining ISRA, she had almost twelve years of experience as a Malaysian advocate and solicitors as well as a Syarie lawyer. During her legal practice, she was appointed as one of the members of the Malaysia’s Investigating Tribunal Panel, Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board and headed the Shariah Legal Clinic of Kuala Lumpur Bar Legal Aid Centre.​ She sat as one of MUFG Bank (Malaysia) Berhad’s Shariah Committee from 2017-2020.​

Dr. Noor received her Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Banking Finance and Management from the University of Gloucestershire (in collaboration with Markfield Institute of Higher Education), United Kingdom under the sponsorship of ISRA. Her Master in Laws was from King’s College of London under the funding of the British Chevening Scholarship Award. Her Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Shariah Legal Practice were from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. She has written a number of research papers, textbook chapter and articles and presented in conferences locally and globally.​​

ABDUL RAHMAN MOHD YUSOF​F​​​​

Islamic Banking Practices
Shariah Risk Management

Abdul Rahman is currently the Teaching Fellow at INCEIF University. He has been the lecturer for the post-graduate professional studies programme namely MIFP, CIFP, and PCIF since 2018. Specifically, the courses he covers include Structuring Financial Requirements, Financial Services Marketing, Islamic Banking Practices, and Risk Management. He is also the Deputy President, Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professional (CIIF) since 2017. He was previously with OCBC Al-Amin Bank Berhad (OABB) in the Commercial Banking Department in 2008 and subsequently headed the Shariah Department from 2013 to 2019. His last position with OABB was as the Head, Islamic Product & Business Development until his retirement in October 2021.​​

He started at the senior level in the banking industry since 1986 in various managerial positions in Retail, Commercial, and International Banking. He had also been posted as Assistant General Manager in the Hong Kong branch from 1997 to 2001 until he left CIMB in 2005. Subsequently, he joined a few other financial institutions including Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Cagamas Berhad. Abdul Rahman has contributed actively in the Islamic Finance Industry as module writer, moderator, reviewer, trainer, and guest speaker with IBFIM, KUIS, UPM, UiTM, etc. at various seminars, workshops, and training. He is also the subject-matter expert in Islamic Banking Practice, Shariah Governance, Shariah Risk Management, and Shariah Audit & Compliance. He is currently the Associate Research Fellow with IRCIEF.

​Abdul Rahman is a graduate in Master of Science in Islamic Finance (MSc.) and Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) from INCEIF University and has an MBA from Morehead State University, Kentucky, USA, and Bachelor of Science (BSc.) majoring in Finance from Indiana State University, Indiana, USA. He is a qualified member that carries the respective professional accreditations titles namely CPIF (Chartered Professional in Islamic Finance), CSP (Certified Shariah Practitioner), and MIM-CPT (Malaysian Institute of Management – Certified Professional Trainer).​​​​

EZAMSHAH ISMAIL​​​​​

Takaful
Islamic Wealth Management

Ezamshah Ismail lectures at the International Center for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) and advises clients on takaful and retakaful issues. Previously, he served as CEO of Hong Leong Tokio Marine Takaful Bhd. Before taking on this role, he worked for 14 years for Commerce Life Assurance Bhd, where he served as CEO, and was instrumental in setting up its takaful operation. Earlier, he had served in various roles with the Mercer Consulting Group.​

He is a National Council Member and Past President of the Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC), which he was instrumental in forming, and currently chairs the working committee developing its Shariah Financial Planning Course. He has also served as Deputy Chairman of the Malaysian Takaful Association, on the Pension Reform Committee; in various roles with the Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd., the Malaysian Insurance Institute, and is Past President of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia.​

En Ezamshah received a Certificate in Islamic Law and an LLM (Business Law) degree from the IIUM. He received a B.Sc. degree in Mathematical Science from Penn. State University and an M.Sc. in Actuarial Science from Northern Eastern= University in the U.S. He is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (U.S.), received a Diploma in Actuarial Science (ITM, Malaysia), and is a Registered Financial Planner (MFPC).​​​​​

KHAIRUN NAJMI SARIPUDIN​

Shariah Studies

Khairun Najmi is currently a researcher at ISRA Research Management Centre, INCEIF University, mandated to undertake applied Shariah research, conduct an analytical assessment, and review the content of ISRA and INCEIF publications. He is also Shariah Committee Member of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad. ​

Previously, he was with Islamic Banking & Takaful Department, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) from the year 2012 until 2022, with an emphasis on serving as the secretary of the Shariah Advisory Council of BNM. Also responsible for formulation of Shariah Standards, legal and regulatory policy, Shariah decision-making framework, as well as Shariah advisory and product reviews. In addition to Shariah, he has experience with other strategic projects, e.g. development of the Islamic finance industry, Islamic banking products and services, Islamic Finance education, as well as risk management and social finance. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Shariah (Fiqh and Usul) and Shariah (Fiqh al-Muamalat) from University of Malaya in 2009 and 2013 respectively. Then, he obtained his Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) in 2013 from INCEIF.​​​​​​

MEZBAH UDDIN AHMED​​

Accounting

Mezbah Uddin is an Islamic finance researcher at ISRA Research Management Centre (RMC). He is also actively involved in various Shariah audit, advisory and consultancy projects at ISRA Consulting. His notable engagements include development of Islamic finance regulatory framework for Republic of Tajikistan under an Islamic Development Bank (IDB) technical assistance program and development of sukuk framework for Islamic Republic of Afghanistan under their Ministry of Finance.​

Mezbah writes regularly on contemporary issues related to Islamic finance. He has contributed as an editor and writer of the Islamic Financial System: Principles & Operations (2nd edition) textbook, which is one of ISRA’s flagship publications and a compulsory read in various universities. He has also published in several Scopus indexed journals, newspapers, magazines and book chapters.​

Mezbah was a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and an AAOIFI Certified Islamic Professional Accountant (CIPA). He has obtained a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, UK and MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance (MIBF) from IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), Malaysia.​

Before joining ISRA RMC, he worked in audit and assurance with a Big-4 affiliate accountancy services firm in Bangladesh. He also has several years of experience providing lectures of ACCA and ICAEW courses. He has provided trainings on financial reporting (AAOIFI and IFRS Standards) and auditing of Islamic financial institutions.​​​​​​​