Dr Shamsiah Abdul Karim is currently the Senior Vice President in Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd (BMMB) overseeing the Shariah & Product Development and Innovation Division. In addition, the Division is also responsible for the dakwah initiatives for the bank and the public at large. Many CSR activities which are pegged to wakaf, zakat and sadaqah is part of the Bank initiatives to reach out to the disadvantage, underserve and important as part of having a larger objectives of serving the Ummah.
Shamsiah previously headed the Albukhary foundation carried out by the Private Philantropist where many charitable activities were carried out. Most notable and major ones are the establishment of an International University, International school, dialysis centre, helping the poor in many social and economic sphere.
Shamsiah has also served more than 2 decades in Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura in the area of Zakat, Wakaf, Faraidh, Baitulmal and the Finance department of Muis.
She also serves as the Shariah Advisor at Pergas Investment Holdings Singapore (PIH) advising on matters pertaining to Islamic Finance, waqf and halal related matters.
Listed in the Islamica 500 for the expertise on waqf matters and recently listed as the top 20 most influential women in Islamic Finance by Cambridge IFN.
She is a PhD holder from Durham University UK specializing in Islamic finance and waqf.
Her area of expertise is in Islamic finance, waqf, zakat, faraid, real estate, accounting and marketing. Having had 25 years of experience in heading the various segments of the strategic areas, Shamsiah has delivered many talks and conferences and seminars in these areas of expertise.
She has also had several publications published for her work on waqf and zakat.