KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) yesterday announced the appointment of Dr Abdulkader Thomas as the inaugural Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellow to help drive thought leadership and innovation in Islamic finance.
The appointment, effective 1 November 2025, follows the endorsement of His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is also the royal patron for Malaysia’s Islamic finance initiative, earlier this month.
Dr Abdulkader Thomas, 69, will lead a series of studies focused on Islamic financial markets, including the promotion of Malaysia’s Islamic finance thought leadership guided by Maqasid al-Shariah, as well as broader themes in impact investing, sustainability, and environmental, social and governance. This includes advancing Maqasid al-Shariah as a universally applicable concept that aligns Islamic capital markets with the sustainable and responsible investment objectives.
The fellowship will also support engagements with policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and academic partners, while strengthening collaboration across the UK and beyond. The programme commenced in November 2025.
SC Chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said, “The fellowship programme offered an opportunity to engage with renowned scholars and industry leaders worldwide in influencing the future of Islamic finance.
“It will serve as a catalyst for pioneering research and fostering strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing for the development of Islamic finance,” he said.
The Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellowship was founded on the long-standing relationship between the SC and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), spanning more than 15 years.
Since 2010, this partnership has fostered sustained dialogue on the evolution of Islamic finance through the annual SC-OCIS Roundtable, shaping thought leadership and forward-looking perspectives for innovative solutions in the Islamic Capital Market.
The Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellowship reflects the SC’s continued commitment to shaping the future of the industry through knowledge, innovation and collaboration. It leverages the SC–OCIS partnership to reinforce Malaysia’s position as a global leader in Islamic finance.
Dr Abdulkader Thomas brings extensive experience in Islamic finance, having served senior roles including Publisher and CEO of the American Journal of Islamic Finance.
He was also a Member of the Administrative Committee of Guidance Financial Group and Acting Chief Executive of the Islamic Investment Banking Unit at United Kuwait Bank.
The Sun Malaysia
