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Mr. Smyth began his financial career in 1992 with the Bank of Montreal's Harris Trust and Savings Bank, gaining experience in lending, mortgage banking, and sales management. He later became a partner with The International Investor of Kuwait, managing one of the firm's direct investments in New York before becoming involved with the firm's acquisition strategy from their Kuwait City office. Since 2006 Mr. Smyth has managed the high-profile Amanie affiliate, Failaka Advisors, a firm he co-founded in 1996. Joining Amanie in 2009, he now manages the firm’s European business and remains active in the GCC. Mr. Smyth holds a B.S. in Business Management and an M.B.A. in International Finance from DePaul University in Chicago.

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Mark Darras is Special Counsel at Sparke Helmore Lawyers in Australia, and is also a company director. Mark advises boards on governance matters, due diligence and risk management issues.He also advises on public infrastructure projects. Prior to the law, Mark was a senior strategy executive with Goodman Fielder Ltd. He is also a former Government Adviser on infrastructure and mining issues. Mark is Chairman of Amanie Advisors (Australia), Deputy Chairman of Australia Post, Deputy Chairman of John Holland Engineering, and a Director of Forestry SA. He is also a Member of the Australian Takeovers Panel. 

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Razi Pahlavi has a numerous years of experience in Islamic banking and Finance consulting works. Razi Pahlavi graduated from the International Islamic University Malaysia with a Master’s Degree in Banking Law (LLM) and a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. His professional qualifications and background include being a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountant, an Islamic Financial Planner (IFP) of the Financial Planner Association of Malaysia and a licensed New Capital Markets Services Representative by the Securities Commission of Malaysia.

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Baiza is a graduate of Monash University, Australia with a degree in Business Studies double majoring in Accounting and Economics.He is an Islamic Capital Market consultant with 12 years experience in various fields within the Islamic Finance industry. He  started his career as research associate with Islamic Financial Data Services Ltd. (U.K) specilizing in Islamic finance and banking data research before joining IslamiQ Ltd. where he was instrumental in developing the ScreenIslamiQ, the online service that allowed users to access information on Shariah compliant stocks in the major global stock markets. Baiza was also involved in the IslamiQ advisory team that completed the Shariah structuring of a US$150 million Islamic private equity fund focusing on dynamic and undervalued Asian companies. Prior to joining Amanie, Baiza was attached to Guidance Financial Group LLC, an international Islamic financial services company based in Washington D.C. where he was part of the investment team that structured a Musharakah Mutanaqisah based Islamic home financing program for consumers in the U.S market, an innovative mortgage based Islamic Fixed Income security with Freddie Mac and a Pan European Islamic Real Estate fund with ING International amongst others. He was also seconded to Navis Capital Partners a leading private equity fund management firm to assist in the day to day running of their Islamic private equity funds with an aggregate value of USD 300 million. Baiza’s area of specialisation is the structuring of Islamic Capital Market products such as Islamic Funds, Sukuk and Shariah structured products. He is also very competent in the Shariah screening of Equity and Fixed Income securities.

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Maya Marissa is a Consultant with Amanie Advisors Sdn Bhd since 2007. Her experience includes Shariah advisory and consultancy services in the areas of product structuring, product enhancement and product conversion exercises, establishment of Islamic financial entity as well as Shariah compliance review services. Maya graduated with an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Kent at Canterbury, United Kingdom and has more than 12 years experience mainly in corporate legal and Islamic financial matters. Prior to joining  Amanie, Maya was with Edaran Digital Systems Berhad, a player in the ICT industry as an in-house legal counsel. She then joined Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB), a national entrepreneur development corporation where she received wide exposure in legal and Shari’ah aspects of financing and investments, litigation and general corporate matters.

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Suhaida is a consultant who specializes in Islamic asset management, responsible in Shariah screening of equity & fixed income securities, Shariah monitoring & compliance review of unit trust funds and the operation of asset management companies. She holds Bachelor of Economics (Islamic Economic & Finance) from International Islamic University Malaysia. Her career in banking & financial industry started as a Trainee under Capital Market Graduated Trainee Scheme organized by Securities Commission of Malaysia. Prior to joining Amanie Advisors Sdn Bhd, she worked with Affin Investment Bank Bhd since 2006 as an Executive for Debt & Capital Markets Department. She completed various project financing deals using Private Debt Securities instruments ranging from infrastructure & utilities, real estate, plantation and many others sectors.

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Mr. Ibrahim Zahaf holds a B.S.in Business degree from American University of Sharjah, majoring in Accounting & Finance with a minor in Economics. An entrepreneur by nature, Ibrahim has been involved in retailing and real-estate development initiatives during his undergraduate years.  His strong entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with his excellent academic credentials, a strong belief in Islamic finance and great enthusiasm has made him an excellent addition to the Amanie team. Ibrahim is a director of Amanie North Africa in Cairo. He is responsible for Amanie’s business development efforts in Africa as well as in the Middle East.

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Zuraida Rodhi is a qualified Islamic Financial Planner with Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM) and Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia Sdn Bhd (IBFIM).  Prior to joining Amanie, she was  involved in product development and accounting structure at  Muslim Cooperative Community of Australia (MCCA), the pioneer of Islamic financial institution in Australia.  Prior to that, Zuraida was one of the associates in the accounting and auditing firm in Singapore, CW Yit & Associates. Her roles were primarily  involved in performing the duty as the external auditor and preparing clients’ financial statements. Currently at Amanie, she is primarily tasked with   Shariah stocks screening,  Islamic wealth management training and course development, and with organizing various Islamic finance events globally. Zuraida graduated from Massey University of New Zealand with a Bachelor Degree in Business Studies majoring Accountancy.

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Suhaili was called to the Malaysian Bar in 2001 after graduating with an LL.B (Hons) from the International Islamic University Malaysia. She subsequently began her legal career as an advocate and solicitor in Malaya, focusing in banking and general litigation. In 2005, Suhaili left her legal fraternity and joined Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) as an in-house legal counsel, where she was further exposed to corporate law, investment management as well as technical Shariah issues. With a wealth of professional legal experience and a distinct background in Shariah -legal documentations, Suhaili  is central to product development and  legal  related works at Amanie.

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A relatively new addition to the Amanie team, Fares brings with him exceptional academic credentials and youthful exuberance. Graduating with honors in finance with concentrations in both accounting and economics from the American University of Sharjah, Fares seeks to apply his academic underpinnings and immerse himself fully into the world of Islamic finance. Fares is a permanent presence in the Amanie Dubai office and will be set to assist with the advisory work as well as the development of the firm in the region.