Shaheen Ali
Professor
Islamic Law; Woman and Child Rights; International Human Rights; Pakistan; Muslim World; South Asia
School of Law
S1.18, Social Sciences Building
University of Warwick
Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
024 765 24954
Shaheen Ali's research interests lie at the intersection of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence, Women and Child Rights and International Law of Human Rights as well as legal and constitutional issues of Pakistan, South Asia and the Muslim world. She has written and published extensively in her areas of research.
Shaheen Ali has an LLB (Peshawar), LLM (Hull), MA (Peshawar) and PhD (Hull). She is a socio-legal scholar and has written extensively in the field of Islamic law, human rights, women and child rights. She was Rector of the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Pakistan, Professor of Law University of Peshawar, Pakistan for twenty-five years and Director Women's Study Centre at the same university. Shaheen served on the National Commission of Inquiry on Women as well as the Prime Minister's Consultative Committee on Women in Pakistan. She also served as the first woman cabinet Minister for Health, Population Welfare and Women's Development in the Government of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan (formerly known as the North west Frontier Province) and the first Chair of the National Commission on the Status of Women of Pakistan. Shaheen was member and Vice-Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary detention (2008-2014). Shaheen has consulted with a range of national and international organisations including the British Council, DFID, NORAD, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNDP to name a few, as well as providing expert legal opinions in the area of Islamic law in UK and US courts. She was also a member of the British Council Task Force on Gender and Development and a founder member and Co-ordinator of the South Asian Research network on Gender, Law and Governance (SARN). Shaheen is member of the Advisory Board of the Arab Law Quarterly.
Distinctions and Awards
- Included in the 100 most influential women of Pakistan.
- Appointed Member of the International Strategic Advisory Board, Oslo University, 2012.
- Awarded the British Muslims Annual Honours achievement plaque in the House of Lords in May 2002
- Awarded the Star Woman Award of the Year (1996) in the field of Law, Pakistan by The Star Girls and Women Foundation, Karachi, Pakistan
- Awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship for Doctoral Studies at the Law School, Uni
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2013. Authority and authenticity. Sharia councils, muslim women's rights and the English courts. Child & Family Law Quarterly, 25 (2)
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2011. Teaching and learning Islamic Law in a globalised world : some reflections and perspectives. Journal of Legal Education, Vol.61 (No.2), pp. 206-230
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Abubakar, Musa Usman, 2010. Part 2 : Islamic finance techniques : the Sunni schools' differing approaches. Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, Vol.6 (No.27), pp. 425-426
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2010. Cyberspace as emerging Muslim discursive space? Online Fatawa on women and gender relations and its impact on Muslim family law norms. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Vol.24 (No.3), pp. 338-360
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Abubakar, Musa Usman, 2010. Part 3 : Islamic finance techniques : the Sunni schools' differing approaches. Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, Vol.7 (No.28), pp. 368-371
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Abubakar, Musa Usman, 2010. Part 1 : Islamic finance techniques : the Sunni schools' differing approaches. Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, Vol.5 (No.26), pp. 308-311
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2009. Resurrecting Siyar through Fatwas? (Re) constructing 'Islamic international law' in a post-(Iraq) invasion world. Journal of Conflict and Security Law, Vol.14 (No.1), pp. 115-144
- Baxi, Pratiksha, Rai, Shirin, Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. Legacies of common law : 'crimes of honour' in India and Pakistan. Third World Quarterly, Vol.27 (No.7), pp. 1239-1253
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. Rights of the child under Islamic Law and Laws of Pakistan : a thematic overview. Journal Of Islamic State Practices In International Law, 2 (1), pp. 1-16
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2005. The concept of Jihad in Islamic international law. Journal of Conflict & Security Law, 10 (3), pp. 321-343
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2003. Right to freedom of religion versus right to equality in international human rights law : conflicting norms or hierarchical human rights? A case study of Pakistan. Nordic Journal of Human Rights, 21, pp. 404-429
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2002. Testing the limits of family law reform in Pakistan : a critical analysis of Muslim family laws ordinance 1961. International Survey Of Family Law, pp. 317-335
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2002. The 'brass tacks' of institution-based private practice :myths and reality. Law, Social Justice & Global Development Journal (LGD), 1
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2002. Who 'writes' the budget : a 'close-Up' of the politics of 'development' projects : implications for health care delivery, democracy and good governance towards a human rights based development approach. Law, Social Justice & Global Development Journal (LGD), 1
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2002. Reforming the health sector in the NWFP : a nostalgic view from afar. Law, Social Justice & Global Development Journal (LGD), 1
- Foblets, Marie-Claire, Graziadei, Michele, Renteln, Alison Dundes, Kazmi, Arjumand Bano, Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2017. Autonomous aspirations? Re-reading the CEDAW drafting process and examining Muslim women's contributions. In Personal Autonomy in Plural Societies, Routledge, pp. 264-280
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2017. Evolving conceptions of children's rights : some reflections on 'Muslim States? Engagement with the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child?. In Yassari, Nadjma; Moller, Lena-Maria; Gallala-Arndt, Imen (eds.), Parental Care and Best Interest of the Child in Muslim Countries, The Hague, T.M.C. Asser Press, pp. 285-324
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2016. Modern challenges to Islamic law. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2016. Contextualising family-law reform and plural legalities in postcolonial Pakistan. In Yassari , Nadjma (ed.), Changing God?s Law : the dynamics of Middle Eastern family law, Farnham, Ashgate Publishers, pp. 34-67
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Kazmi, Arjumand Bano, 2016. Autonomous aspirations? Re-reading the CEDAW drafting process and examining Muslim Women's Contribution. Foblets, Marie-Claire; Dundes-Renteln, Alison; Graziade, Michele (eds.), (Not) Outside my culture? Paradoxes of Personal Autonomy
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2012. From ratification to implementation : ?domesticating' CEDAW in state, government and society. A case study of Pakistan. Hellum, A.; Aasen, H. S. (eds.), The Added Value of CEDAW, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2010. Systematically closed, cognitively open? A criticalanalysis of transformative processes in Islamiclaw and Muslim state practice. In Christoffersen , Lisbet; Iverson, H. R.; Petersen, H.; Warburg, M. (eds.), Religion in the 21st century : challenges and transformations, Farnham, Surrey U.K. ; Burlington, VT, Ashgate, pp. 119-140
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2008. Disability, human rights and re-distributive justice : some reflections from the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan on popular perceptions of disabled people. London ; New York, Routledge
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Interpretative Strategies for Women's Human Rights in a Plural Legal Framework : exploring Judicial and State Responses to Hudood laws in Pakistan. Hellum, Anne; Stewart, J.; Ali, Shaheen Sardar; Tsanga, Amy (eds.), Human rights, plural legalities, and gendered realities : paths are made by walking, Harare, Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women's Law, University of Zimbabwe with Weaver Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Interpretative strategies for women's human rights in a plural legal framework : exploring judicial and state responses to Hudood laws in Pakistan. Hellum, Anne; Stewart, J.; Ali, Shaheen Sardar; Tsanga, Amy (eds.), Human rights, plural legalities, and gendered realities : paths are made by walking, Harare, Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women's Law, University of Zimbabwe with Weaver Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. A comparative perspective of the convention on the rights of the child and the principles of Islamic Law : law reform and children's rights in Muslim jurisdictions. UNICEF, (ed.), Protecting the world's children : impact of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in diverse legal systems, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. The twain doth meet! A preliminary exploration of the theory and practice of as-Siyar and international law in the contemporary world. Rehman, Javaid; Breau, Susan Carolyn (eds.), Religion, human rights and international law : a critical examination of Islamic state practices, Leiden ; Boston, Martinus Nijhoff Publisher
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Where is the toilet? Getting down basics in accessing women's rights. Hellum, Anne; Ali, Shaheen Sardar; Stewart, J.; Tsanga, A. (eds.), Human Rights, Plural Legalities and Gendered Realities: Paths are Made by Walking, Harare, Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women's Law, University of Zimbabwe with Weaver Pres
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Women, law and empowerment : securing equal rights for women in the workplace. (a case-study of women and employment in Pakistan). Crick, P. (ed.), Our freedoms : a decade's reflection on the advancement of human rights, London, International Bar Association
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Introduction. Hellum, Anne; Stewart, J.; Ali, Shaheen Sardar; Tsanga, Amy (eds.), Human rights, plural legalities, and gendered realities : paths are made by walking, Harare, Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women's Law, University of Zimbabwe with Weaver Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2007. Religious pluralism, human rights, and Muslim citizenship in Europe : some preliminary reflections on an evolving methodology for consensus. Loenen, T.; Goldschmidt, J. E. (eds.), Religious pluralism and human rights in Europe : where to draw the line?, Antwerpen, Intersentia
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. Part 1: Conceptual framework. Conceptualising Islamic law, CEDAW, and women's human rights in plural legal settings : a comparative analysis of application of CEDAW in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, New Delhi, UNIFEM-South Asia Regional Office
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. Part III : Conclusion. Ali, Shaheen Sardar (ed.), Conceptualising Islamic law, CEDAW, and women's human rights in plural legal settings : a comparative analysis of application of CEDAW in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, New Delhi, UNIFEM-South Asia Regional Office
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. "Sigh of the Oppressed"? "Islamisation" of laws in Pakistan under Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal : the case of the North West Frontier Province. Cotran, Eugene (ed.), Yearbook of Islamic and Middle Eastern law. Vol. 10, 2003/2004, Boston, Brill Academic Publishers
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2006. Conceptualising Islamic law, CEDAW, and women's human rights in plural legal settings : a comparative analysis of application of CEDAW in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. New Delhi, UNIFEM-South Asia Regional Office
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2004. Alternate dispute resolution mechanisms in Pakistan. Yasin, Mohammad; Banur, Tariq (eds.), The dispensation of justice in Pakistan, Oxford, Oxford University Press
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2002. Women's rights, CEDAW and international human rights debates : toward empowerment?. Parpart, Jane L.; Shirin, M. Rai; Staudt, Kathleen (eds.), Rethinking empowerment : gender and development in a global/local world, London, Routledge
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Rehman, Javaid, 2001. Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities of Pakistan : constitutional and legal perspectives. Richmond, Surrey, Curzon
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2000. Gender and human rights in Islam and international law : equal before Allah, unequal before man?. The Hague : Boston, Kluwer Law International
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Jamil, Baela, 1995. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Islamic Law and Pakistan Legislation : a comparative study. Peshawar, Educational Computing Services & Publishers
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 1994. A comparative study of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, Islamic law and the laws of Pakistan. Peshawar, Educational Computing Services for Radda Barnen
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, Rehman, Javaid, 2012. The concept of Jihad in Islamic international law. University of Warwick
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2012. Overlapping discursive terrains of culture, law and women's rights : an exploratory study on legal pluralism at play in Pakistan. University of Warwick
- Ali, Shaheen Sardar, 2012. Resurrecting Siyar through Fatwas? (Re) constructing ?Islamic international law' in a post-(Iraq) invasion world. University of Warwick
| Title | Funder | Award start | Award end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridging the Gender Gap: Creating Women Leaders through Training/Mentorship Program | British Council | 01 Jan 2023 | 30 Apr 2024 |
| Continuities, Discontinuities and Ruptures: Exploring Islamic Constitutionalism(s) in the Muslim World | Kuwait International Law School | 01 Jan 2017 | 31 Dec 2018 |
| Conference Support - Re-Imagining the Sharia: Theory, Practice and Muslim Pluralism at Play | British Academy | 13 Sept 2009 | 16 Sept 2009 |
I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD supervisees. However, please ensure that you have a research proposal which corresponds with the University of Warwick School of Law requirements.
Current PhD Students:
- Renad Alotaibi
- Ismet Morshed
- Ohoud Rowaished