Sheikh Faaik Gamieldien, an advocate of the High Court of South Africa, started his academic career when he graduated from the University of the Western Cape in the Social Sciences. From there he proceeded to Al-Azhar University, Cairo to study Arabic and the Islamic Sciences. He now holds an LLB degree, in Law and Shariah from the International University, Islamabad and a Masters degree in Law and Shariah from the International Islamic University, Malaysia. He holds a number of honorary positions in Islamic organisations and is a member of the South African Law Commissioner’s Committee for the recognition of Islamic Marriages and related matters.