Research Fellows
Research Fellows conduct rigorous research, contribute to publications and academic initiatives, and play a vital role in generating innovative ideas and scholarly insights.
Mr. Sohaib Shafique
Research Fellow
Mr. Sohaib Shafique serves as a Research Fellow at the Taj Islamic Research Center (TIRC), where he contributes to scholarly research, academic publications, and intellectual initiatives aimed at addressing contemporary issues through the lens of Islamic scholarship. His research interests include Qur’anic and Hadith Studies, Islamic intellectual history, Sufism, Seerah, comparative religion, and contemporary socio-religious challenges, with a particular focus on youth, ethics, and social transformation.
At TIRC, he is actively involved in research projects, academic events, publications, and capacity-building programs that promote critical engagement with Islamic thought and contemporary global issues. His work seeks to bridge classical Islamic scholarship with modern interdisciplinary approaches, contributing to meaningful academic discourse and knowledge production.
Mr. Shafique is currently pursuing a PhD in Islamic Studies at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) under the prestigious LPDP Scholarship. He also serves as a Lecturer and MPhil/PhD Program Manager at GIFT University, Pakistan. In addition, he is associated with scholarly publishing as an Associate Editor of an academic journal in Indonesia and has authored several peer-reviewed research publications.
Through his research, teaching, and academic engagement, he continues to support TIRC’s mission of advancing Islamic scholarship, intellectual development, and research excellence at both national and international levels.
Ms. Shehar Bano
Research Fellow
Ms. Shehar Bano serves as a Research Fellow at the Taj Islamic Research Center (TIRC) and is an emerging scholar whose research focuses on Islamic psychology, faith-based coping, mental health, Islamic education, gender studies, social issues, and contemporary Islamic thought. Her work seeks to integrate Islamic perspectives with contemporary psychological and social science approaches to address emerging societal challenges and promote holistic human development.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Islamic Studies at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) (2024–2028) under the prestigious LPDP Scholarship of the Government of Indonesia. She holds an MPhil in Islamic Studies from GIFT University, an MA in Islamic Studies from the University of the Punjab, an MSc in Sociology, a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and a professional qualification in General Nursing.
At TIRC, Ms. Bano contributes to research projects, academic publications, and scholarly initiatives that explore contemporary social and intellectual issues from an Islamic perspective. She has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and has actively participated in national and international conferences, earning recognition for her academic contributions, including the Best Presenter Award at INSIS 2025.
Through her research, teaching, and international collaborations, she continues to support TIRC’s mission of advancing impactful scholarship, interdisciplinary research, and meaningful engagement with contemporary societal challenges.
Dr. Sofia Mehboob
Research Fellow
Dr. Sofia Mehboob serves as a Research Fellow at the Taj Islamic Research Center (TIRC) and is a distinguished scholar of Islamic Studies with a specialization in Comparative Religion. She holds a PhD in Islamic Studies and has developed expertise in Qur’anic and Hadith Studies, Islamic social and political thought, and comparative religious studies. Her academic work focuses on engaging foundational Islamic sources with contemporary intellectual and societal issues.
Dr. Mehboob brings extensive experience in higher education, having served as an Assistant Professor and Lecturer at several leading institutions across Pakistan, including GIFT University, the University of Sargodha (Gujranwala Campus), and Punjab Group of Colleges. As an HEC-approved supervisor, she has guided MPhil researchers and contributed significantly to academic mentoring and scholarly development.
At TIRC, she contributes to research projects, academic publications, and intellectual initiatives that promote rigorous scholarship and informed engagement with contemporary challenges. Her interdisciplinary interests extend to spirituality, psychology, mind sciences, body language, and holistic well-being, reflecting her commitment to integrating diverse fields of knowledge with Islamic perspectives.
Through her research, teaching, academic leadership, and continuous pursuit of learning, Dr. Mehboob contributes to TIRC’s mission of advancing Islamic scholarship, intellectual growth, and meaningful societal engagement.
Dr. Hafiz Sajid Mahmood
Research Fellow
Dr. Hafiz Sajid Mahmood serves as a Research Fellow at the Taj Islamic Research Center (TIRC) and is a distinguished scholar of Islamic Studies with a specialization in Hadith Studies and Seerah (the Biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ). Holding a PhD in Islamic Studies, he is dedicated to advancing authentic Islamic scholarship and exploring its application to contemporary intellectual, social, and ethical challenges.
At TIRC, Dr. Mahmood contributes to research projects, scholarly publications, and academic initiatives that promote a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings and their relevance to modern society. His research interests focus on Hadith Studies, Seerah, Islamic ethics, and contemporary issues facing Muslim communities. Through his scholarly work, he seeks to bridge the rich Islamic intellectual tradition with present-day academic and social discourse.
In addition to his role at TIRC, Dr. Mahmood serves as a Lecturer at Punjab Group of Colleges, Pakistan, and as Chief Administrator of Al-Mahmood Islamic Center. He also holds Shahadah Al-ʿAlamiyyah from Jamia Sheikh-ul-Hadith, Gujranwala, reflecting his strong foundation in both classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship.
Through his teaching, research, and intellectual engagement, Dr. Mahmood continues to contribute to TIRC’s mission of promoting Islamic education, scholarly excellence, ethical values, and constructive dialogue in society.