Frequently asked

Sheikh Dr. Osama Bahar is a Bahraini Shariah scholar, Islamic financial engineer and independent advisor with more than three decades of experience in Islamic banking, Shariah governance, financial structuring and institutional advisory.

He serves on the Shariah Supervisory Board of the Central Bank of Bahrain and as Shariah advisor to Bahrain Bourse, alongside board appointments at Gulf International Bank, Al Salam Bank (Bahrain and Algeria), Ithmaar Bank, Family Bank, ADCB Islamic Bank, First Energy Bank / Sayacorp, Venture Capital Bank / Esterad Bank and Alizz Bank, Oman. He chairs the Shariah Supervisory Board of Solidarity Bahrain.

Shariah governance, Islamic financial engineering, independent Shariah opinions, Shariah dispute advisory, transaction review and product structuring — for banks, takaful operators, investment institutions, regulators and corporates.

A doctorate from Lahaye University in the Kingdom of Holland, a master’s degree from Al Emam Al Awzae University in Beirut, and a bachelor’s degree in Islamic Shariah from Prince Abdul Qader University of Islamic Studies in Algeria.

Head of Shariah Compliance & Advisory at First Energy Bank (2008–2017), Head of Shariah Compliance at Al Salam Bank (2006–2008), Shariah Compliance Officer at ABC Islamic Bank (2005–2006), and Manager of the Shariah Department and Secretary to the Shariah Board at Shamil Bank of Bahrain (1994–2005).

Bahrain is his base, with current mandates in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Algeria, and advisory work for institutions and funds across the GCC.

Yes. He provides independent Shariah analysis of contractual and transaction disputes, assesses differing Shariah positions, and proposes resolutions where financial and Shariah considerations intersect.

Murabaha, Mudarabah, Ijarah and Istisna’a structures, Islamic credit cards, Islamic cash financing, Islamic investment funds, and the conversion of conventional financing into Murabaha structures.

Yes. He trains staff of Islamic financial institutions and represents institutions as a speaker at conferences and seminars on Islamic investment and banking.

Through the contact form on this site, or directly by email or telephone. Enquiries should state the institution, the mandate type — board seat, opinion, review, structuring or training — and the expected timeline.