Transatlantic philanthropy secures renowned scholar at the University of Exeter

A prestigious new academic position has been founded at the University of Exeter thanks to a significant act of philanthropy.

A donation by Canadian philanthropist Sajjad Ebrahim has enabled the University to establish the Imam Sajjad Chair in Shi‘i Studies in perpetuity.

The role, based in the University’s renowned Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, will lead research in the field of Twelver Shi‘i Islam.

Following a competitive recruitment process, Dr Kumail Rajani has been appointed as the inaugural chair and will commence his post in the New Year.

Mr. Ebrahim is a committed philanthropist who provides significant support for education, housing, welfare and healthcare initiatives globally. His charitable work spans different parts of the globe with a particular focus on Canada, Pakistan and India.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr Rajani as the inaugural Imam Sajjad Chair in Shi‘i Studies,” said Professor William Gallois, Director of the Institute. “We are excited about the potential of this new position, which will support the next generation of scholars in critically engaging with Twelver Shi‘i Studies and create a pipeline of talent to advance the field for future generations.

“Our deepest thanks go to Sajjad Ebrahim for his support in making this generous donation. We hope its impact will resonate for years to come.”

Speaking of his donation, Mr Ebrahim said “It is an honour to support the establishment of the Imam Sajjad Chair in Shi‘i Studies at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. Imam Sajjad, the fourth Shi‘i Imam, is revered as an enduring symbol of knowledge and piety within the Islamic tradition. Naming the Chair after him reflects a commitment to these values and to fostering scholarship that uplifts and enlightens humanity.

“The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies is the ideal home for this Chair. With its world-leading scholars, rigorous academic environment, and long-standing commitment to Islamic Studies, it offers the strongest foundation for advancing Shi‘i Studies within a wider intellectual landscape.

“My intention in supporting this Chair is simple: to raise the intellectual level of society and contribute, in a small way, to serving humanity. I sincerely hope that the Imam Sajjad Chair in Shi‘i Studies will inspire students and scholars, illuminate new avenues of inquiry, and continue to push the boundaries of knowledge. If this initiative contributes even modestly to the sum total of human understanding, it will have fulfilled its purpose.”

Twelver Shi‘ism is the largest branch of Shi‘i Islam, and its followers believe in twelve divinely appointed Imams after the Prophet Muhammad. The role of the Imam Sajjad Chair in Shi‘i Studies will be to deepen academic understanding of Twelver Shi‘i Islam in its historical, legal, theological, and cultural dimensions.

Dr Rajani’s research is primarily rooted in Shi‘i studies, alongside broader interests in Qur’anic exegesis, hadith studies, Islamic law and legal theory, and South Asian studies. He spent several years studying and teaching classical Islamic texts in the Shia seminary of Qum, Iran, before completing his PhD at the University of Exeter. Between 2019 and 2025, he secured funding for three research projects as a postdoctoral research fellow at Exeter.