Advancing Islamic FinanceEducation & Research
Dr. Syed Nazim Ali is a globally recognized scholar with over four decades of contributions to Islamic economics and finance, currently serving as Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London.
About
Dr. Syed Nazim Ali
A distinguished scholar and institution-builder who spent two decades at Harvard University, where he founded the Harvard Islamic Finance Program, established the Islamic Finance Databank, and launched the Harvard University Forum on Islamic Finance.
Previously served as Research Professor and Director of the Research Division at the College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, from 2014 to 2025. His work has shaped global discourse on Islamic finance education and research.
Years Experience
Publications
Years at Harvard
Four Decades of Scholarship
Research, Publications, and Events Organized
Publications
Books, edited volumes, and selected papers. Browse the complete publication record organized by year.
ExploreHarvard University Forum on Islamic Finance
Nearly three decades of the premier academic gathering on Islamic finance — full programmes, reports, and publications.
ExploreSOAS & LSE Workshops
The Harvard–LSE–SOAS annual workshop and public lecture series — a year-by-year chronological archive.
ExploreHBKU ICIF & CEOs Roundtable
International Conference on Islamic Finance and the CEOs Roundtable — objectives, participants, and impact at HBKU.
ExploreMedia
Featured Presentations
Lariba Presentation
Pasadena, CA
Singapore Conference
Singapore
Upcoming Book
"Curiosity to Calling: My Life in Islamic Finance"
Dr. Syed Nazim Ali is currently writing his autobiography, chronicling his pioneering journey in Islamic finance from founding the Harvard Islamic Finance Information Program to establishing major international conferences and mentoring emerging scholars across the globe. This memoir will offer unique insights into the development of the global Islamic finance industry over the past three decades.
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Let's Connect
For academic inquiries, speaking engagements, research collaborations, or media interviews, I welcome the opportunity to connect.
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