E-BOOK- 39th CONVOCATION PROGRAMME BOOK

54 55 EMERITUS PROFESSOR BIOGRAPHY OF PROF. DATO’ DR. KOUTOUB MUSTAFA SANO Professor Dato’ Dr. Koutoub Mustafa Sano is an acclaimed Islamic scholar and statesman whose illustrious career spans academia, research, public service, and diplomacy at the highest levels. Born in 1966 in Kankan, Guinea, to Elhadj Sidafa Sano and Hadja Aissata Koma, Prof. Sano obtained a diploma in the French language from France's Ministry of Education in 1989. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Comparative Law from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, in 1990, earning the Best Student Award. For his master's degree in 1993, he again graduated with top honours. Prof. Sano obtained his Ph.D. in Comparative Law from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1996. He later earned a graduate degree in Islamic Banking and Finance from IIUM in 1998 and a doctorate in Islamic Finance from Tunisia's al-Zitouna University in 2001. Prof. Sano began his academic career at IIUM as a lecturer in the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh in 1993. After obtaining his doctorate, he continued teaching and rose to become IIUM’s youngest-ever full Professor in 2001, at just 35 years old. As a Professor of Comparative Law and Islamic Finance, he authored over 80 journal articles and 26 acclaimed books in Arabic, English, and French on Islamic jurisprudence, legal theory, and Islamic finance. He also wrote the first encyclopaedia on Hajj and Umrah terminology in Saudi Arabia and the first lexicon of usul al-fiqh terms in Arabic and English. Apart from producing academic writings, he was also busy supervising more than 45 master's and doctoral theses at IIUM. As Deputy Rector from 2005 - 2009, he led internationalisation and innovation initiatives. Beyond academia, Prof. Sano held senior government positions in Guinea, including Minister of Religious Affairs (2009 - 2010), Minister of International Cooperation and African Integration (2011 - 2016), and Chair of the Mano River Union Council of Ministers (2014 - 2015). From 2016 - 2020, he served as Diplomatic Advisor to Guinea's President. Before assuming his current role as Secretary- General of the Jeddah-based International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Prof. Sano was Deputy Chairman of its Council from 2006 - 2020. He has also been part of various renowned institutions such as the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (2001 - 2009), the Muslim World League in Makkah (2006 - 2011), and the Shariah Advisory Committee for EON Islamic Banking in Malaysia (2001 - 2009). Currently, Prof. Sano serves as Secretary-General of the prestigious Jeddah-based International Islamic Fiqh Academy under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In this capacity, he oversees and directs the Academy's vital work in shaping global Islamic jurisprudence and thought. By researching and issuing influential rulings (fatwas) on new and pressing issues facing modern Muslim societies, the Academy bridges scholarly traditions with contemporary realities. Over his trailblazing career, Prof. Sano has been decorated with numerous honours, including Guinea's Best Student (1989) and ISESCO's Quality Award for Service to the Ummah (2013). In 2007, Malaysia's King conferred the royal honorific Dato' on him. This comprehensive background showcases the remarkable achievements and monumental contributions of Prof. Sano throughout his illustrious career. As a leading Islamic scholar, educator, author, advisor, and diplomat, he has made lasting impacts on academia, government, and organisations worldwide. His lifetime of service has advanced Islamic knowledge, jurisprudence, and finance to benefit Muslim communities globally. In recognition of his tremendous contributions, the International Islamic University Malaysia proudly confers upon Prof. Sano the title of Emeritus Professor. It is a fitting honour for such an accomplished son of IIUM.