Syahirah is a Malaysian Postgraduate candidate set to obtain her Masters of Strategic & Defense Studies from the University of Malaya (UM) by 2024 under the recipient of the ASEAN Masters Scholarship, and holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science (International Relations). Her masters thesis discusses Malaysian-Saudi diplomatic ties. Syahirah has worked in several sectors, including as a researcher in various research projects. Her focus area lies in domestic politics and International Relations with a research interest in Malaysia and the Middle East, particularly the GCC. Syahirah is passionate in teaching research and is a certified Mendeley Advisor, possessing several research certifications. She is a member of the Malaysian Social Science Association and Sarawak Research Society. She is also passionate in educating Malaysian youth on political literacy and democracy has participated in talks on the subject – you may follow her project work “The Political Science Podcast Malaysia” on Instagram.
She is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Central Asia Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia..

She is a Senior Fellow and Assistant Coordinator of the China Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Buthaina Zawahrah is a researcher who completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Jordan, and she is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Malaya.

Previously, she worked as a lecturer at one of China’s most prestigious universities. Throughout her career, she has actively participated in academic conferences, seminars, and workshops, and has authored several publications. Her areas of expertise include Chinese politics, Chinese-Arab relations and China-Middle East relations. Her research interests encompass conflict resolution, foreign policy analysis, great power rivalry, power transition, and peacebuilding efforts.

Mr. Muad’s remarkable journey in international politics commenced in 2003 when his commitment to democracy and transparency led to profound consequences; his father and colleagues were unjustly sentenced to life imprisonment for advocating these principles through the Sandhaanu news media platform. Undeterred, at the age of 21, Mr. Muad relocated to England, UK, to pursue studies in International Relations & Security while actively engaging with British members of parliament and the European Union. His noteworthy success in garnering attention from the British government led to his appointment as the youngest head of relations to the UK & EU for the newly established Maldivian Democratic Party led by Mohamed Nasheed. 

Under Nasheed’s leadership, Mr. Muad and a small cohort of exiled opposition leaders orchestrated a monumental shift in the Maldives, effectuating a peaceful transition from a one-party 30 year old military dictatorship to a thriving multi-party democracy within five years, following their party’s victory in the 2008 elections. 

Continuing his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and human rights, Mr. Muad became an influential voice in the Palestinian human rights lobby, tirelessly advocating for international law compliance concerning the occupation of Palestine. His global advocacy extends across diverse spectrums, championing human rights, transparency, and democracy, while emphasizing the cultural and religious values inherent in each nation. 

Since 2018, Mr. Muad has played a pivotal role in bridging cultural gaps between the Maldives and Malaysia, fostering enhanced bilateral relations. Furthermore, his instrumental efforts in catalyzing improved relations between the Maldives and Turkey, despite limited political and trade ties, underscore his diplomatic prowess. Operating from Istanbul, his engagement with politicians and business associations has not only strengthened diplomatic ties but also facilitated a deeper understanding of the Maldives’ history and geopolitical context among Turkish policymakers. These efforts have positioned Turkey as an enticing destination, not only for Maldivian tourists but also for businesses and politicians alike. As a testament to this strengthened relationship, in December 2023, the newly elected Maldivian government announced the opening of a new Embassy of Maldives in Ankara, Turkey. 

Mr. Muad’s exceptional expertise in navigating international politics and his acute understanding of cultural nuances and religious sensitivities uniquely position him to lead our extensive Democracy & Transparency Initiative. His leadership will encompass a wide array of initiatives, including election observation missions aimed at ensuring free and fair elections worldwide and numerous other endeavors to promote peace, transparency, and diplomacy across nations.

He is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Democracy and Transparency Initiatives at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia

Milzat Salime holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Hons) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Her thesis explored the impact of French and British colonialism on post-independence African political and economic development, looking at Mali and Nigeria as case studies. She is currently pursuing a double Master’s degree in International and Development Studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland, and a Master of Arts in Strategic and Defense Studies at the University of Malaya in Malaysia (UM). Her research interests revolve around conflict, peace, security, and development and she is particularly interested in African peace and security affairs.

She is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Muath Seyam is a researcher and postgraduate student based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He holds a master’s degree of Arts in English linguistics (Discourse Analysis) from the University of Malaya and a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from the Islamic University of Gaza.

He is a senior research fellow and coordinator of the Southeast Asia research studies circle in the Asia and Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC). He has been working for many years in English-Arabic translation and English language teaching.

He is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Southeast Asia Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Dr Ferooze obtained his PhD from the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His research focused on Malaysian humanitarian NGOs’ involvement in Gaza. Ferooze expects to publish a book on the subject with Universiti Sains Malaysia Publications. Prior to his research career, Dr Ferooze worked in the Palestine political desk of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putrajaya.

He is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Palestine Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Dr. NurAldeen Abdul Kareem, holding a PhD in Jurisprudence and Principles of Jurisprudence, possesses a good knowledge spanning academia and the business realm. He currently serves as a Business Development Manager in the BPO industry, boasting a 17-year career marked by strong leadership and client relationship skills.

Beyond his professional journey, Dr. NurAldeen is recognized for his comments and contributions on political matters in Malaysia and the Middle East. His passion for international relations drives him to support NGO objectives that bridge cultures and regions.

He will employ his dedication, expertise, and passion to advance the objectives of the Asia Middle East Centre for Research & Dialogue (AMEC), fostering cultural understanding and cooperation between the Middle East and Asia.
He is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Palestine Study Circle Intellectual Dialogue at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Holder of Master’s Degree in Strategic and Defense Studies from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. His research interests includes Geopolitics, Grand Strategy, International Relations, Defense analysis and Foreign Policy analysis.

He is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the China Study Circle at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) based in Malaysia.

Senior Research Fellow