Dr. Thamina (Samina) Anwar
Founder – Trade Not Riba dot Com
B.Eng (Hons.) | MSc | MBA | GradDipTchg | CIFP | PhD London | Bradford | Cranfield | Auckland | INCEIF | UKZN

Dr. Thamina Anwar stands as the visionary force behind Trade Not Riba (www.tradenotriba.com), an initiative dedicated to championing Islamic Social Entrepreneurship over interest/usury, appealing to both Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Her groundbreaking models in Islamic Social Entrepreneurship, initially piloted in New Zealand, are now poised for global adoption.

In addition to her role as a serial entrepreneur, Dr. Anwar is the founder and director of multiple consultancy firms registered in New Zealand. With a diverse skill set spanning writing, research, education, engineering, information technology, public speaking, management, leadership, social entrepreneurship, and consulting, Dr. Anwar is highly sought after by international companies, educational institutions, governments, corporations, non-profit organizations, and waqf institutions alike.

Dr. Thamina Anwar's professional repertoire extends to the management of numerous IT and consultancy firms in New Zealand, where she served as a director, showcasing her adeptness in leadership and strategic oversight.

Furthermore, she is the author of "Waqf (Endowment): A Vehicle for Islamic Social Entrepreneurship," a distinguished publication released by IBFIM (Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia) in 2017. This seminal work not only reflects her scholarly prowess but also draws from her doctoral studies and research, which played a pivotal role in shaping the Islamic Social Entrepreneurship model.

In addition to her accomplishments, Dr. Anwar is a co-author of "Financing the Development of Old WAQF Properties: Classical Principles and Innovative Practices Around the World," a notable publication by Palgrave Studies in Islamic Banking, Finance, and Economics, USA. Her scholarly endeavors extend to numerous academic papers and presentations at international conferences worldwide.

Dr. Anwar’s academic journey is marked by her attainment of a Doctorate degree (PhD) from UKZN (SA), supplemented by a Masters in Islamic Finance and Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) accreditation from INCEIF, The Global University of Islamic Finance (Malaysia). She also holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University (UK), specializing in Entrepreneurship and Strategy.

With a solid foundation in engineering from Queen Mary, University of London (UK), and expertise in Communications & Real-time Electronics (Specialization in Satellite Communication) from the University of Bradford (UK), Dr. Anwar possesses a diverse range of qualifications that equip her with a unique perspective and problem-solving prowess. Furthermore, her Post-graduate Diploma in Teaching from the University of Auckland (NZ) enhances her ability to structure curricula and employ effective teaching methodologies.

Dr. Anwar is set to launch her new book, Think Like an Islamic Social Entrepreneur: A Mindset Shift. This practical guide, complete with a workbook, is designed specifically for Islamic social entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights, strategies, and hands-on exercises to inspire and empower their work.