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Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies, The University of Melbourne

Abdullah Saeed is currently the Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies and Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia,

He began his academic career at the University of Melbourne in 1993 as a lecturer and developed the Islamic Studies program of the University by introducing a range of new subjects and programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

His research focus is one of the most important issues in Islamic thought: the negotiation of text and context, ijtihad and interpretation. His publications cover Qur’anic hermeneutics, Islamic finance, Islam in the West, Islam and human rights, reform of Islamic education and Islamic law. Among his publications are: Islam and Human Rights (edited, 2012), Islamic Political Thought and Governance (edited, 2011), The Qur’an: An Introduction (2008); Interpreting the Qur’an: Towards a Contemporary Approach (2006), Islamic Banking and Interest (1999); Islam in Australia (2003); Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (co-authored, 2004).
He is a member of the UNESCO Commission of Australia of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities.

Abdullah Saeed is consulted regularly on contemporary Islamic issues and participates in a number of major international projects. He has a wide range of professional and research relationships around the world and is on the editorial board of several international refereed journals. He is a member of the UNESCO Commission of Australia of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities. He contributes to print and electronic media on Islamic issues. He is well-known for his inter-faith activities in Australia and overseas and for his progressive outlook. For his contribution to the development of Islamic Studies and interfaith activities he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 2013.

Experience

  • –present
    Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Melbourne