About Dr Naheed Anwar
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Welcome to my website.
My name is Dr Naheed Anwar, and I am a researcher, educator, and tutor specialising in Sociology, with a particular focus on Islam, faith, gender, and Muslim women’s experiences.
With over 25 years of teaching experience, my work has been shaped by a commitment to education, research, and making beneficial knowledge accessible to others. My academic journey has focused on understanding how faith influences identity, belonging, and everyday experiences, particularly for Muslim women living in contemporary societies.
I completed my BA (Hons.) and MA in Sociology at the University of Essex, followed by a PhD at Roehampton University. My doctoral research examined the experiences of women who converted to Salafism in the UK, focusing specifically on the narratives of 30 first-generation Salafi women in Birmingham.
Academic Research
My PhD research explores why Salafism, despite often being portrayed through negative stereotypes in Western public discourse, continues to be a significant pathway for female conversion to Islam.
Through detailed analysis of women’s lived experiences, my research highlights how conversion is not simply a change in religious belief, but often a deeply transformative process involving identity, belonging, personal development, and the search for meaning.
The study examines how Salafi women understand their faith, navigate social expectations, and construct their identities within contemporary British society. It challenges simplistic representations of Muslim women as passive or lacking agency, instead highlighting the active role women play in shaping their own religious journeys.
My work also explores the relationship between religious belief, practice, and social life, contributing to wider discussions around faith, gender, identity, and the role of religion in contemporary societies.
As a researcher with an insider perspective, my aim is to contribute to more nuanced and informed discussions about Islam and Muslim communities by highlighting the lived experiences of those who are often spoken about but less often heard.
A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Raised in Oxford and having spent part of my formative years in Islamabad, Pakistan, where I studied at Islamabad College for Girls (ICG) in the late 1980s, I have experienced different educational and cultural environments from an early stage.
My academic work, international travel, and engagement with diverse communities have developed my understanding of the ways in which faith, culture, and identity intersect. Having lived, studied, and built meaningful relationships across different cultural settings, I bring a balanced perspective to both my research and teaching.
Through engagement with Muslim communities internationally, alongside experience living within wider multicultural societies, I have gained insight into the diverse contexts in which Muslims practise and understand their faith.
Islamic Education
Alongside my academic research, I provide structured online Islamic Studies courses for girls and women, designed to support students in developing a deeper understanding of Islam through authentic sources from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
My approach combines academic rigour with authentic Islamic understanding, recognising that seeking knowledge is not simply about gaining information, but about allowing knowledge to transform our faith, character, and actions.
My courses are designed to nurture:
- a stronger understanding of Islamic beliefs and practices
- confidence in discussing and applying Islamic knowledge
- reflection and personal development
- a meaningful connection to Islam
Each course is supported by carefully developed curricula and study materials, providing students with a structured pathway of learning that encourages understanding, reflection, and practical application.
Students join from across the UK and internationally, creating a diverse online learning community where women and girls can study, reflect, and grow together.
My Aim
Through my teaching and research, my aim is to make Islamic knowledge accessible, relevant, and beneficial — helping students increase in knowledge, strengthen their relationship with Allah, and understand their role as Muslims in today’s world.
Thank you for visiting.
Dr Naheed Anwar
BA (Hons.), MA, PhD (Roehampton University)
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