Khawar Amir

Profile

My research, supervised by Dr Abdul-Bashid Shaikh and Dr Tajul Islam, focuses on the development of Philosophical Sufism in the Indian subcontinent. By undertaking a comparative analysis of the influence of Ibn Arabi, Ibn Sina, and Rumi into the Indian subcontinent, I aim to uncover the nuanced ways in which these thinkers have contributed to the metaphysical and existential understanding of the self within Islamic thought while addressing their influence on Indian Sufi thought.

My academic journey has been shaped by a deep interest in the intersections between philosophy, mysticism, and cultural history. I hold a master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Birmingham, where my thesis focused on the Ash’ari theory of Kasb related to free will and determinism, and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, where my thesis explored Iqbal, his philosophy of the self (Khudi) and legal edicts relating to him.

Beyond my research, I am passionate about fostering cross-cultural dialogue and contributing to the broader understanding of Islamic intellectual traditions in both historical and contemporary contexts.

Consultancy Work

• Birmingham Pakistani Report (https://pakistanireport.org.uk/)

• Policy Advisor MHCLG

Research interests

• Islamic Philosophy and Theology (Falsafa, Kalam)
• Urdu Poetry
• Mysticism and Sufism
• Metaphysical Concepts of the Self
• Islamic law
• Intersections of Philosophy and Religion in South Asia
• Indian Islamic History

Qualifications

• MA in Philosophy, University of Birmingham
• BA in Philosophy, University of Leeds

Research groups and institutes

• Iqbal Centre