Mohammed Anas is a Masters in Journalism from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. With over 20 years of experience in almost all Indian leading newspapers, he is presently an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times in New Delhi. He has been writing on Indian politics, Muslim affairs and geo-political developments in West Asia. 

He has written extensively about the changing landscape of politics in India, especially of the region called “the Hindi Heartland” comprising provinces where Hindi is the official communication medium as well as lingua franca. He has explored multiple contours of the lives of Indian Muslims – whether it is their victimisation at the hands of communal forces, their perpetual backwardness, their perseverance and unwavering faith in Indian democracy or their unique contributions and brilliance in various walks of national life. As an observer of West Asia, he has sketched the hiccups and hopes in the region and its connections with different geographies of the world, specifically with South Asia.

Besides being a quotidian journalist, he has also translated books from Hindi to English, and authored two books – one on Equal Partnership between India and its Muslims (Naamak Publications) and biography of former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (published by Publication Division, I&B Ministry, Govt of India). 

Title: Assistant Editor

Organisation: Hindustan Times

Shady Ibrahim is a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA) and a seasoned political researcher specializing in conflict dynamics and geopolitical analysis. With a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul Zaim University, he possesses deep expertise in understanding Arab societies, with a specific focus on civil-military relations, fact-checking in the Middle East, and the underlying factors of the Egyptian revolution.

As an accomplished investigative producer and writer, he has contributed to publications such as Middle East Eye and has received multiple international awards, including from the New York Festivals and the Telly Awards, for his impactful work on geopolitical conflicts and human rights issues. His investigative films have been featured on the Al Jazeera Network and have garnered millions of views. His professional interests include security and conflict analysis, tribal studies, and leveraging data and AI to enhance media research and analytical outcomes.

Dr. Abdullah Waleed is a senior public policy and international relations professional with over 15 years of experience in government administration, diplomacy, and development consultations. He currently serves as the Director of the International Coordination Department at the Prime Minister’s Office in Gaza, where he leads international policy engagement and fosters cooperation with global partners to address humanitarian challenges.

Previously, Dr. Waleed headed the national Shelter Program during the war on Gaza, overseeing emergency response efforts for displaced civilians. He has also served as Director of Public Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office in Gaza, and served as Director of Political Relations at the Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM), where he advanced international dialogue and community engagement.

Dr. Abdullah Waleed earned his Ph.D. in Management Studies from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), focusing on knowledge management in higher education. His academic contributions include SCOPUS-indexed publications and international conference presentations on governance, knowledge management, crisis management, and Islamic perspectives in management.

Fluent in Arabic and English, Dr. Waleed brings a strong record of leadership, cross-cultural communication, and international cooperation. His professional and research interests include government administration, public policy, knowledge management, crisis management, and diplomacy.

Syahirah is a Malaysian Postgraduate candidate set to obtain her Masters of Strategic & Defense Studies from the University of Malaya (UM) by 2023. She holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science (International Relations) and is the recipient of the ASEAN Masters Scholarship. Her thesis discusses on 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 – you may follow her project work “The Political Science Podcast Malaysia” on Instagram.

Buthaina Mohamed Zawahrah is a PhD candidate at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Jordan.

She has academic experience as a lecturer in the Department of International Studies at Sun Yat-sen University in Zhuhai, China. Moreover, she worked as an online instructor of Foreign Policy at the International Relations Academy (IRA) in Istanbul, Turkey.

Buthaina is a freelance researcher. Her research interests span International Relations, Geopolitics, Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, Great Power Rivalry, Power Transition, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Foreign Policy, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) politics, and China’s foreign policy, with a particular focus on China–Middle East relations.

She has authored several publications and presented at international conferences and seminars on Chinese–Arab relations and China’s role in the Middle East. She has also participated in specialized workshops, including Peace and Security program at Thammasat University (Bangkok),  NATO HQ workshop (Brussels), Danish-Jordanian University Cooperation program (Amman), and Sino-American Relations Symposium at Sun Yat-sen University (China).

She is an active member of the Jordanian Political Science Association, the Jordanian–Chinese Friendship Association, and the Jordanian Council for Chinese Studies. She is also a regular participant in the Association of International Affairs (World Affairs Council) in Amman, Jordan.

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 holds a Master’s degree of Arts (Linguistics) in political discourse analysis from the University of Malaya. 

His current research interests focus on Southeast Asia and Middle East studies, exploring the dynamics of the foreign policy, strategic partnerships, and interactions between the two regions. 

His recent publication was as a co-author of a book chapter, entitled “An Introduction to Malaysian NGOs and Palestine-Oriented NGOs (PONGOs) Advocating the Palestinian Issue” which has been published in the book “The Middle East and the Malay World: Contemporary Issues and Future Challenges”.

He is also a senior research fellow at the Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) and the corrdinator of Southeast Asia Study Circle in the centre.

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.

Senior Fellow, Asia Middle East Center for Research & Dialogue (AMEC), Malaysia

Business Development Manager, Scicom (MSC) Berhad, Malaysia

Dr. NurAldeen Abdul Kareem is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Middle East Center for Research & Dialogue (AMEC) in Malaysia and currently serves as a Business Development Manager at Scicom (MSC) Berhad. He holds a PhD in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

With more than a decade of experience in teaching, training, and business development, Dr. NurAldeen has taught various courses in Islamic studies and Arabic, while also training and mentoring over 3,000 learners across schools, institutes, and the corporate sector. His professional and academic interests span leadership, education, Islamic history, and the socio-political and geopolitical dynamics of Asia and the Middle East.

Over the past two years as a Senior Fellow with AMEC, he has actively managed, conducted, and participated in international conferences, webinars, and forums, contributing to dialogue and knowledge exchange on critical social, political, and geopolitical issues. His involvement reflects a strong commitment to fostering cross-regional understanding and building bridges between Asia and the Middle East.

Through his combined academic background, corporate expertise, and fellowship work, Dr. NurAldeen continues to engage in initiatives that promote collaboration, intellectual exchange, and sustainable partnerships.