His Eminence, Dr Abbas Shoman, was born in Sohag, southern Egypt on 7 June 1961. He excelled in his BA degree in the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University, followed by his MA in Islamic Jurisprudence & Law and then PhD in Islamic Jurisprudence. After completing his post-graduate studies in 1994, Dr Abbas Shoman was appointed as lecturer in Al-Azhar’s Faculty of Islamic Jurisprudence & Law. In 2006, he became professor, and in 2009 he was appointed as the Head of the Shari‘ah Department in the Faculty, and in 2011 he progressed to becoming the Head of QAU (Quality Assurance Unit) within the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language.

Dr Abbas Shoman has written several research papers showcasing his in-depth understanding of numerous Islamic sciences, particularly in the area of Islamic Jurisprudence. These papers include ‘The Inviolability of Blood and Wealth in Islamic Jurisprudence (‘Ismat al-Dam wa’l-Mal fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami)’, ‘The Rulings of Smoking in Islamic Jurisprudence (Ahkam al-Tadkhin fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami)’, and ‘The Rulings of Monopoly in Islamic Jurisprudence (Ahkam al-Ihtikar fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami)’. Alongside his written works, he showcases his oratory skills by frequently delivering the Friday sermon at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.

Dr Abbas Shoman has held many notable positions since completing his formal studies, which include his present roles as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates and the Secretary-General of Al-Azhar’s Council for Senior Scholars. Formerly, he has held the posts of Al-Azhar’s Under-Secretary and Spokesperson, Al-Azhar’s Representative in Quality Assurance and Halal Committees of Egypt, Member of the Shari‘ah Board of the Sanabel Islamic Fund at Saib Bank and Member of the Intellectual Committee of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy Award for the Islamic World League organisation. Dr Abbas Shoman is also Chairman of Al-Azhar’s Higher Committee for Reconciliations which focuses on utilising Al-Azhar’s religious authority and influence to mediate conflicts and encourage peaceful resolutions within Egyptian society and the broader Muslim community.

The Council of Senior Scholars of Al-Azhar, to which Dr Abbas Shoman serves as Secretary-General, is the highest religious authority of Al-Azhar. It is concerned with addressing matters of Shari‘ah and newly emerging issues of Islamic Law both regionally and internationally. The Council consists of 40 members who are appointed by the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar.

Since being appointed Board Chairman of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates in 2025, Dr Abbas Shoman has committed himself to developing the necessary programmes and implementing plans to disseminate Islamic knowledge and propagate the understanding of moderation, to confront extremist thought that threatens the true image of Islam, and to protect Muslims throughout the world from deviant and misleading trends.

Published works of the Chairman