Meet the Team
Professor Salim TS Al-Hassani
President
Salim TS Al-Hassani is an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering and an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities, University of Manchester, UK. Having developed an interest in the cultural roots of science in the later years of his career as Professor of Mechanical Engineering, he made his mark by utilising applied modern engineering analysis to recreate, in virtual 3D space, ancient machines, especially those invented during the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation such as the machines of Banu Musa, Al-Jazari and Taqi al-Din.
Mr. Peter Fell
Chairman of the Board
Non Executive Director at Numerous NGOs and charities. Held leadership positions in a number of regional, national and international bodies. He was the Deputy Chair of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), the Vice President of the Education Relief Foundation (ERF). He is Deputy Chair of the Liverpool based Pain Relief Foundation. He is the treasurer of the RSA Academies (a Midlands based umbrella trust of 8 schools). He is also a Board Member of the Audience Agency Services Limited and treasurer of the Family Refugee Support Project.
Mr. Muhammad Hafiz
Director
Mr. Muhammad Hafiz is Managing Director of Goldfayre Ltd. He has been successful in the textile, food, car and steel industries. A distinguished member of the Muslim community in Manchester, he is well known for his youth charity work. He provides general business and financial advice to FSTC.
Mr. Zeki Poyraz
Director
Mr. Zeki Poyraz is Managing Director of ASF Flexible Duct Company. He has been successful in the building and manufacturing industries. He provides FSTC with general business advice on international relations.
Dr Anne-Maria Brennan
Director
Dr Brennan, Director of Graduate Studies at the Centre for Professional Practice, University of Kent, is a Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators and has the Freedom of the City of London. She has organised and chaired conferences for both the British Science Association and FSTC on the Muslim contribution to science, and has lectured on the subject of Muslim Heritage in the life sciences, agriculture and sustainability. Dr Brennan was recently elected as Board member of 1001 Cures Ltd; a new company owned by FSTC, established to oversee developments in 1001cures; an initiative to promote intercultural respect and appreciation through history of medicine and health in Muslim and other civilisations >>>
Dr Sharif Kaf al-Ghazal
Director
Dr al-Ghazal is a consultant plastic, reconstructive & hand surgeon and Plastic Surgery Lead at the Bradford Royal Infirmary. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds and has published several papers and articles on plastic surgery. He is President of the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA). He is the founder and executive member of the International Society for History of Islamic Medicine (ISHIM), and sits on the scientific editorial board for the Arab Physician Journal. Recently elected as Chairman of the Board of 1001 Cures Ltd; a new company owned by FSTC, established to oversee developments in 1001cures; an initiative to promote inter-cultural respect and appreciation through history of medicine and health in Muslim and other civilisations. >>>
Mr. Yassir Al-Hassani
Non-Executive Director
Public Speaking Coach, Trainer & Presenter, working with schools, charities & corporates. Presenting courses live & online in communication skills, IT Systems training, Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity, Cultural Heritage, First Aid, Health & Safety, & Personal Development. Business Economist with M.Sc from Manchester Business School with expertise in business strategies, planning & research analysis of the global market including due diligence for investors, VCs, SMEs, tech firms, telecoms, scientific & educational organisations & law firms as well as in advising innovative SMEs on R&D tax rebate claims & assisted HMRC with VAT fraud detection reports.
Mr. Andrew Edwards
Non-Executive Director
Chartered and Certified Accountant, Auditor- Partner, Dunhams.
Previous Board Members
Professor Mohamed El-Gomati
Past-Chairman
Mohamed El-Gomati is Professor of Electronics at York University. His research interests are in Surface Science and Electron Optics with particular emphasis on the development of novel instrumentation for nanostructure analysis. He is the author and co-author of more than 200 articles and patents in these fields. Professor El-Gomati is an advisor to a number of UK universities and charities and speaks on the contribution of muslims in science, technology and civilisation.
Mr. Ian Fenn
Past-Director
Ian Fenn has been Head teacher of Burnage Media Arts College, a boys’ school with a catchment area of inner city Manchester, since 2001. He has extensive teaching and headship experience. Apart from school improvement, Ian's main interest is in developing social inclusion and strategies to prevent extremist violence. His role at FSTC is as Advisor on Educational Resources and the National Curriculum. He is a director of Curriculum Enrichment Ltd.