Academic / Professional Qualifications: Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies - 2022. PhD in Islamic Studies, University of Wales, UK - 2008. Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Open University of Sri Lanka - 2001. M.A. in Islamic Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Lanka - 1999. B.A. (Hon) Special in Arabic, University of Peradeniya -1996. Expertise: Islamic Political Thought, Islamic Law, Interfaith Dialogue, Modern Muslim Thinkers, and Research Methodology. Research Interests: Interfaith Dialogue & Multi-Culturalism and Islamic Political Thought "Prof. Nafeel is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Visiting Scholar at the University of South Australia, from 1st March 2025 to 28th April 2026." Profile: Professor M. Zawahir M. Nafeel Professor in Arabic & Islamic Studies University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Professor M. Zawahir M. Nafeel obtained his B.A. (Honours) Special Degree in Arabic from the University of Peradeniya in 1996. He pursued his postgraduate studies at the same university, completing a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies in 1999, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2001. He was awarded his Ph.D. in Religious Studies by the University of Wales, UK, in 2008. He is currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies at the University of Peradeniya, having been promoted to this position with effect from 6th February 2022. With an academic career spanning over 26 years since February 22, 1997, Professor Nafeel has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and academic leadership. Professor Nafeel has authored numerous journal articles and presented research papers at both national and international conferences. He serves on the editorial boards and review panels of several academic journals published by the University of Peradeniya and other institutions. His scholarly contributions include several books, most notably Sources of Islamic Civilization, and he has also edited the volume Religious Intolerance in Sri Lanka. He has led several major research initiatives, including a University Research Grant-funded project titled A Study of Emerging Trends in Religious Intolerance in Sri Lanka. He also collaborated on a research project examining The Role of Faith Actors During the Pandemic, jointly supported by World Vision Lanka and Islamic Relief, and coordinated by East London University. His recent scholarly work includes an article entitled Muslim-Buddhist Dialogue: A Quest for Ethnic Harmony in the Sri Lankan Context, published in the Journal of SLIBA. In addition to his research and teaching, Professor Nafeel has held several key administrative roles. He served as Head of the Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies from 2010 to 2016 and chaired the Faculty Research Committee from 2011 to 2017. He also coordinated the Postgraduate Program in Islamic Studies and served as Faculty Coordinator for International Relations from 2022 to 2025. Throughout his career, Professor Nafeel has dedicated himself to advancing academic excellence and promoting intercultural understanding. His contributions have significantly impacted the development of the Faculty, the University, and the broader academic community both locally and internationally. https://rb.gy/iuxfbq Google Scholar:https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=I9qcmqMAAAAJ ORCID ID:https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0821-4401 ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/M-Nafeel-M-Zawahir https://nafeelzawahir.blogspot.com/2023/01/nafeel-zawahirdr-mzm-nafeel-phd-uni-of.html ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0821-4401
