Dr Mohd Daud Bakar is a Malaysian Shariah scholar and the founder of Amanie Advisors, a Kuala Lumpur-based Shariah advisory firm set up in 2005. In 2022 he received the Royal Award for Islamic Finance, with Bank Negara Malaysia citing his contribution to the global Islamic finance industry, according to the central bank’s announcement. He holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews.
Quick facts: who is Mohd Daud Bakar?
| Country | Malaysia |
| Education | Bachelor of Jurisprudence, University of Malaya; Bachelor of Shariah, Kuwait University; PhD, University of St Andrews |
| Founded | Amanie Advisors, Kuala Lumpur, 2005 |
| Recognition | Royal Award for Islamic Finance (2022) |
| Writing | More than 40 books, according to Bank Negara Malaysia |
What is his background?
Daud Bakar’s education spans three countries. He studied jurisprudence at the University of Malaya and Shariah at Kuwait University, then completed a doctorate at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, according to Amanie Advisors. This mix of Malaysian, Arab and British training reflects the cross-border nature of his later work.
What is Amanie Advisors?
Amanie Advisors, founded in Kuala Lumpur in 2005, advises governments, banks and companies on making products and transactions Shariah-compliant. Its description of its work covers legal, accounting, banking, capital markets, sukuk and risk management. The firm has grown from a Malaysian practice into an international advisory business.
Why did he receive the Royal Award for Islamic Finance?
Bank Negara Malaysia described him in 2022 as an eminent Shariah scholar whose multidisciplinary knowledge helped bridge the application of Shariah principles in modern Islamic finance. The award, Malaysia’s top honour in the field, has also gone to figures such as Zeti Akhtar Aziz and Saleh Kamel.
How does Shariah advisory work in Malaysia?
Malaysia has a centralised model. The Shariah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia is the highest Shariah authority for Islamic banking and takaful under the central bank’s remit, and validates products and advises on Shariah matters. Individual banks still have their own Shariah committees, and firms like Amanie advise on product design before it goes to those committees.
What has he written?
Bank Negara Malaysia describes him as an award-winning author of more than 40 books across several genres, including works on Shariah rulings and their application in Islamic finance.
FAQ
Dr Mohd Daud Bakar founded the firm in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.
At the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
The Royal Award for Islamic Finance, presented in Malaysia.
