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Researcher in Sociology & Middle Eastern Studies

Dr. Haifaa Jawad

Dr Haifaa Ahmed Jawad is a scholar of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies with extensive experience in teaching and research.

h.jawad@ibnrushdcentre.org

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Biography

Dr Haifaa Ahmed Jawad is a scholar of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies with extensive experience in teaching and research. Her work spans Islam and gender, Muslim women, Islamic thought, politics and contemporary Muslim societies, alongside longstanding engagement with public and academic discourse.

Education

  • PhD, Europe and the Middle East, Politics Department, Exeter University, UK
  • F.A.E.T.C. (Further and Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate), Northbrook College, Worthing, West Sussex, UK
  • MA, International Relations, University of Baghdad, Iraq
  • BA, Political Science, Baghdad University, Iraq

Academic Appointments

  • 2020 to present: Honorary Senior Lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, UK
  • 2023 to 2024: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, University of Birmingham, UK.
  • 2000 to 2020: Senior Lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, UK.
  • Courses taught: Classical Islamic thought, Introduction to Islam, Islamic History, Islamic Texts (Quran and Hadith), Modern Islamic Thought, Women in Islam, Islamic Spirituality, Islam and the West, Contemporary Islamic Movements (MA course), Feminism in the Muslim world (MA course), Political Islam (MA course), Research Methodology (jointly taught –MA level)
  • 1993-2000:  Senior lecturer in Islamic Studies, West Hill College, Birmingham 
  • Courses taught: Islamic History, Life of Muhammad, Introduction to the Quran, Introduction to the Hadith, Islam and Politics, Islam and the West, Islamic Civilisation, Modern Islamic Thought, Classical Islamic Thought, Women and Family Life in Islam, Norms of Community Life in Islam, Contemporary Islamic Movements (MA course)
  • 1990-1993: Assistant Professor in Middle East Politics, New England College (American University), Arundel, West Sussex 
  • Courses taught: Islamic Civilisation, History of the Ottoman Empire, Introduction to Middle Eastern History, Europe and the Middle East, Human Rights in the Middle East, Introduction to Western Thought, History of the Arab Israeli conflict, History of Political Thought, Gender in the Middle East, Egypt under Nasr
  • 1986-1987: Lecturer (part-time) in Middle East Politics, Politics Department, Exeter University
  • Course taught: Middle East Politics
  • 1980-1982: Assistant professor in international relations, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Course taught: Arab Nationalism

Visiting Positions

  • 2026- Visiting Associate Professor, Centre for Islamic Studies, Istanbul.
  • 2019-2020: Visiting Associate Professor, Islamic Studies Department, Istanbul Sehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • Course taught: Modern Islamic Thought
  • 2007 – 2009: Visiting Associate Professor, Trinity College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
  • Course taught: Christian-Muslim Relations
  •  2004-2005: Visiting Associate Professor, History Department, University of Alabama, USA.
  • Courses taught: The World of Islam, Modern Middle Eastern History
  • 1997-1998: Visiting Associate Professor, Religious Studies department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
  • Courses taught: Introduction to Islam, Classical Islamic thought (MA)
  • 1991-1992: Assistant Professor, the Muslim College, London, UK.
  • Course taught: Female Spirituality in Islam   

Teaching Awards

  • 2007-2008: Head of School’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, department of Theology and Religion, School of Historical Studies, University of Birmingham
  • 1992-1993:Dean of College’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, New England College, Arundel, West Sussex, UK.

Publications

  • Gender and Forced Displacement in Islam: Advancing a Protection Framework for Women‘, (Jawad et al) Refugee Survey Quarterly, December 2025.
  • Reflections on Turkey, Critical Muslim, 46, spring 2023, pp 69-80,
  • The Fundamental Contradiction of Islamic Feminism, Renovatia, Journal of Zaytuna College, February 6, 2023,
  • Interfaith Marriages in Islam from a Woman’s Perspective: Turkish Women’s Interfaith Marriage Practices in the United Kingdom, (with Elmali-Karakaya), Journal of Muslim minority affairs, London, March 2020, pp 1-20
  • De-radicalisation through Conversion: Hamza Yusuf’s attempt to revive sacred knowledge within a North Atlantic Context, in Karin Nieuwkerk, (ed),  Moving in and out of Islam,  Texas University press, 2018, pp 204-231
  • Reflections on Muslim Women and Sport (with Benn and Pfister), in Doll-Tepper, Koenen, and Baily, Sport, Education, and Social Policy, the State of Social Sciences of Sport, Routledge, 2017, p 19-33,
  • A Muslim Response to the Christian Theology of Religions, in Paul Hedges and others (eds), Twenty-First Century Theologies of Religions: Retrospection and New Frontiers, Brill, 2016, (pp- 328-358),
  • Embodied Faith: Islam, Religious Freedom, and Educational Practices in Physical
    Education (with Benn and Dagkas), in Sport, Education, and Society, 2011, 16 (1), 17-34
  • Multiple Voices: Improving Participation of Muslim Girls in Physical Education and
     School Sport (with Benn and Dagkas) in Sport, Education and Society, 2011, 16(2), (pp 223-239)
  • Islam and Democracy in the 21st Century, in Gabriele Marranci (ed), Muslims, Globalisation and Secularism, Springer, London, 2010, (pp 65-81)
  • Muslim Thought and Practice, in S. Patro (ed), A Guide to Religious Thought and Practices, SPCK, London, 2010, (pp 137-157).
  • Islam, Women and Sport (co-author) in Benn, Pfister, and Jawad (eds), Muslim Women and Sport, Routledge, 2010, (pp 25-40)
  • Muslim Women and Sport (co-author) in Benn, Pfister, and Jawad (eds), Muslim Women and Sport, Routledge, 2010, (pp 1-9; 263-267)
  • Islamic Spirituality and the Feminine Dimension, in Gillian Howie and J’annine Jobling (eds), Women and the Divine: Touching Transcendence, 2009, (pp 187-203)
  • Islamic Feminism: Leadership Roles and Public Representation, in HAWWA, Journal of Women in the Middle East and the Muslim world, Brill, 2009, (pp1-24)
  • The Arab League, in Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Modern World, (ed), Peter N. Stearns, Oxford University press, 2008, Vol 1, (pp 1-4)
  • Female Conversion to Islam: The Sufi Paradigm, in K. Nieuwkerk (ed), Gender and Conversion in the West, Texas University press, 2006, (pp 153-171)
  • Seyyed Hossein Nasr and the Study of Religion in Contemporary Society, American Journal of Islamic Social Science, Vol 22, No 2, 2005, (pp 49-68)
  • An Islamic Response: Conference on Holy Texts: Authority and Language, Journal of the European Society of Women in Theological Research 12, Leuven, Peeters, 2004, (pp 129-131)
  • Divorce and Custody: Contemporary Practices: Western Europe, Encyclopaedia of Women and Islamic Culture, Vol 2: Family, Law and Politics, (ed), Saud Joseph, Brill, 2004, (pp 1-4)
  • Historical and Contemporary perspectives of Muslim Women living in the West, in H. Jawad and T. Benn (eds), Muslim Women in Britain and Beyond: Images and Experiences, Brill, 2003, (pp1-17)
  • Muslim Feminism: A Case Study of Amina Wadud’s Quran and Women, Journal of Islamic Studies, Vol 42, No. 1, 2003, (pp 107-125)
  • Islamic Extremism and Its Impact on Western Images of Islam, in S. Khasawnih and J. Nielsen (eds), Arabs and the West: Mutual Images, Jordan University Press, 1998, (pp 29-42)
  • Islamic Jihad: The View of Sayyid Qutb”, in Haleem, Ramsbotham, Risaluddin and Wicker (eds), The Crescent and the Cross: Muslim and Christian Approaches to War and Peace, Macmillan, 1998, (pp 87-91)
  • Pan-Islamism and Pan-Arabism: Solution or Obstacle to Political Reconstruction in the Middle East, in H.A. Jawad (ed), The Middle East in the New World Order, Macmillan, 1997,(pp140-161)
  • Islam and the West: How Fundamental is the Threat? RUSI (The Royal United Service Institute) Journal, Institute for Defence Studies, London, 1995, (pp 34-38)
  • Hussein: the Stubborn Survival, in the Geopolitics of Energy, Alberta, Canada, 1995, (pp 6-9).
  • Arab Nationalism: Dead or Alive, the Gulf Report: The Gulf in the 1990s, Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, London, 1993 (14- 28)
  • Pan-Islamism in the Middle East: Prospects and Future, the Islamic Quarterly, Vol XXXVII, No.3, 1993, (pp 207-222)
  • Overarching Regional Co-operation (with Azzam) in Gerd Nonneman(ed), The Middle East and Europe,the Federal Trust, London, 1993, (pp 221-227).
  • Women and the Question of Polygamy in Islam, The Islamic Quarterly, London, Vol XXXV, No.3, 1991, (pp 181-190)
  • France and the Palestine Issue in the EC, Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, London, 1991, (pp1-12)
  • The Education of Women in Islam, Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, London, 1991, (pp 1-18)
  • Muhammad the Educator: An Authentic Approach, The Islamic Quarterly, London, Vol XXXIV, No. 2, 1990, (pp15-122)
  • The EC-GCC Dialogue, Gulf Centre for Strategic Studies, London, 1989, (pp 1-19)
  • Women, Islam and Resistance in the Arab world (co-author with Holt), Lynne Rienner, Boulder, CO, USA, 2013, (pp- 295),
  • Towards building a British Islam, New Muslims’ Perspectives, Bloomsbury London, UK, 2011, (pp-192)
  • Muslim Women and Sport with Benn and Pfister (eds), Routledge, London, UK, 2011, (pp-278)
  • Muslim Women in Britain and Beyond: Images and Experiences, with Benn (eds), Brill, The Netherlands, 2004, (pp-178)
  • The Rights of Women in Islam: An Authentic Approach, Macmillan, London, UK, 1998, (pp- 150)
  • The Middle East in the New World Order (editor and contributor), (an updated 2nd edition), Macmillan, London, UK, 1997, (pp- 220)
  • The Middle East in the New World Order (editor and contributor), Macmillan, London, UK, 1994, (pp- 154)
  • Euro-Arab Relations: A Study in Collective Diplomacy, Ithaca Press, Reading, UK, 1992, (pp- 302)
  • “Sacred Femininity in Islam: Spiritual Ideals and Mystical Horizons”, (co-authored book with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi)
  • “The Cambridge Companion to Women and Islam”, review for the Journal of Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations
  • Islamic Feminism: philosophical Perspectives, department of Philosophy, University of Göttingen and University of Freiburg, Germany, 19 December 2023.
  • The experiences of Muslim women in sport and the role of Islam in their sporting lives. Department of Sociology, University of San Francisco, USA, October 30th, 2023. 
  • Muslim Women and Sport Activity, Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar, 18-19 July 2022.
  • Islam and Women’s Interfaith Marriages, Khalifa University, UAE, April 2021.
  • The Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism: Some Socio-Political and Theological Factors, Warwick Internal Development Symposium, University of Warwick, March 16, 2016
  • Arab Spring: Revolution on Trial, Pro Scientia Summer School, Zagreb, Croatia, 6-9 September 2013 
  • Islamic education: Needs and Challenges, Seminar on Islamic Studies for Peace and Co-existence in the Arab World, Adyan Foundation, Beirut, Lebanon, 28 June 2013
  • Feminine Ijtihad, Challenges and Prospects, ICETH annual conference on Sharpening the Master’s tools, Self-critical impulses for renewal of patriarchal traditions in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Stuttgart, August 2009
  • The Changing Phenomenon of Sacred Texts, conference on women reading religious texts, Lancaster University, 15 June 2009
  • Muslim Women and Sport, An-Nisa Group, Walsall City Council, November 2009
  • Muslim Women Revisiting the Holy Texts, Sigtuna Foundation, Sweden, 2007
  • Islam and Democracy in the 21st Century, Centre for the Study of Democracy, Westminster University, London, 2007
  • The meaning of Islamic Piety, Foreign Office, London, 2005
  • Islam, Muslim Women and the West”, Alabama University, 2004
  • An Islamic Response to the Conference on Holy Texts: Authority and Language, European Society of Women in Theological Research, the Netherlands, 2003
  • Jihad: Contemporary Perspective, Aston University, 2003
  • Women, Islam and Muslim Society, Woodbroke College, 2002
  • Muslim Women in Britain, Al-Mahdi Institute, Birmingham, 2002
  •  Feminism and Islam, Department of Leisure and Community Services, Birmingham City Council, 2000
  • Europe and Islam: Co-operation or Confrontation? Defence Committee, House of Commons, London, 1995
  • Burning the Quran in Sweden, TRT World News, 21 January 2023. 
  • The historical context of Islam, BBC TV, October 2017
  • Personal Profile, Liberty Media, October 2015
  • The Israeli attacks on Lebanon, (briefing) Sky News, 2006
  • Why some young Muslims go to war, Midlands Today, 2002
  • Women in Saudi Arabia, Sputnik Radio, Edinburgh, 31 of October 2017
  • Tolerance in Islam, Voice of Islam Radio, London, 02 of November 2017
  • Islam and animals, BBC West Midlands, Birmingham, January 2017 
  • Women, Islamism and Resistance in the Arab World, BBC West Midlands, June 2011
  • The Israeli attacks on Gaza, BBC West Midlands, January 2009
  • Muslim fundamentalists controlling mosques in Britain, BBC West Midlands, 2007
  • Muslim perspectives on death, BBC Radio Four, 2006
  • The Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, BBC West Midlands, 2006
  • The future relations between Islam and the Western World, Radio Tehran, 2004
  • Why British women convert to Islam? Daily Mail, August 2010.
  • Public Reaction to Veiling in Britain, Danish Newspaper, 2007.
  • Women Converts to Islam”, the Times Magazine, 2006.
  • Muslim Women and Face Veiling in Britain, Newsweek, 2006.
  • Women and Conversion to Islam, Christian Science Monitor, 2005
  • Radical Islam in Europe, the Focus, German Magazine, 2005.
  • Social Cohesion: Breaking Down Barriers, Building Bridges, New Statement/Fellow’s Associates Report, 2004.
  • Islam and Other Religions, Tuscaloosa News, Alabama, US, 2004.
  • The Assassination of the Spiritual Leader of Hamas, Herald News, Alabama, US 2004.
  • Unity within Diversity, Christian Movement Magazine, Birmingham, UK, 2003.
  • The Iraqi Opposition Groups and America, Al-Mustakillah, (Arabic Newspaper), Middlesex, London, 1996
  • April 2018-2019: Europe’s New Migrants: Marriage Practices and Policies, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham (co-organiser with a colleague in the department). 
  • March 2013-2014: Scholars of Islam, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham
  • February 2012-2013: One year on from the Arab Spring? Has anything actually changed in the Middle East and North Africa and the International Community? Theology/Politics departments, University of Birmingham
  • November 2011-2012: The Elusive Ghazali, 900 Years On, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham
  • June 2011-2012: Woman, Islamism and Resistance in the Arab World, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham
  • April 2008-2009: The future of Islam in Britain, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • October 1999-2000: Muslim Women in the West, Images and Experiences, West Hill College, Birmingham
  • July 1995-1996: The Regional Security in East-Central Europe and the Middle East, New England College
  • June 1992-1993: The Reconstruction of East-Central Europe and the Middle East, New England College, West Sussex, UK

Offices

  • 2016 – 2020: British Association for Islamic Studies, UK.
  • 2000-2003: Memberof theCouncil (governing body), British Society for Middle Eastern Studies, Durham, UK.
  • 1998-2001: the Association of Muslim Social Scientists, London, UK.
  • Spiritual and Moral Development of Muslim Pupils in State Schools in the UK.  
  • Islamic education in Kuwait.
  • Aesthetics in the Quran
  • A Muslim Woman’s Right to a Khula in Pakistan: Marital Relief or Marital Pain?
  • Islamic Activism in the Subcontinent: Causes of the Electoral Under-    
  • Achievement of the Jamaat-e-Islami of Pakistan
  • Interfaith Marriages in the UK: Perspectives from Muslim Women Experiencing Marriage to Non-Muslims.
  • The Ethical basis of Islamic banking 
  • Intellectual Currents in Saudi Arabia.
  • Muslim Feminism: A Critique of Fatima Mernissi’s Work.
  • Women and Radical Islam, the Case of Syria.
  • The Use and Abuse of ‘Anti-Women’s Hadith: A Critical Study between Traditional and Liberal Women’s Movements.
  • The Religious Structure of Najrān in the Pre-Islamic Era 
  • Muslim Feminists Negotiating their Space Online.
  • Surat al Mujadila (Chapter of the Woman who Disputes): A Precedent for Sacral Interlocution in Islam, University of Gloucestershire. I was the main external supervisor.
  • The Position of Islam on Domestic Violence with particular reference to Saudi Arabia 
  • Mutahhari’s thought on Women’s Public Right
  • Women’s leadership Role in higher Education in Malaysia
  • 2011-2021: Director, Birmingham Centre for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2017-2020: PGR exams officer, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2014-2015:  Head of Postgraduate Studies, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2013-2014: Exams Officer, Postgraduate Taught programme in Theology, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2010-2011: Postgraduate Welfare Officer, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2009-2011: University of Birmingham Visitor, The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham.
  • 2007-2016: Coordinator, Post-Graduate Seminars in Islamic Studies, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2000-2020: Personal Tutor, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham.
  • 2009-2011: Member, the Scrutiny Committee, School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham. 
  • 1998-2001: Co-ordinator, Post-graduate Programme in Religious Studies, West-Hill College, Birmingham.
  • 1993-2001: Member, the Research Unit, West Hill College, Birmingham.
  • 1997-2000: Member, Academic Board, West Hill College, Birmingham.
  • 1998-2000: Programme leader, MA in Religious Studies, West Hill College, Birmingham.
  • 1995-1998: Member, Staff Development Committee, West Hill College, Birmingham.
  • 1994-1997: Member of the Advisory Committee, Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Selly Oak Colleges.
  • 1986-1989: Coordinator, Postgraduate Forum for Middle Eastern studies, Politics department, University of Exeter.
  • 2018-2020: Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education, Dundee, Scotland.
  • 2016-2017: Cambridge, A-Level, Islamic Studies Exams
  • 2016-2017: Birmingham City Council, Islamic Studies Program, Birmingham
  • 2010-2014: St Mary’s University College, London
  • 2009-2011: Leeds Metropolitan University