The Expert is a sociologist and religious studies expert with specialisation in Asia and the Middle East. He has authored over 150 subject-specific expert legal reports concerning human rights, asylum and terrorism cases. The Expert has spent several years in the field, carrying out research both in Britain and abroad, enabling him to generate expert reports on the country conditions of asylum applicants. The Expert has been involved in several cross-cultural research projects in the private and public sector. As an expert in South Asia, he spent several years conducting extensive fieldwork across South Asia. In Pakistan, he worked alongside local politicians and social workers, gaining considerable insight into national and local political and legal structures in Pakistan. This makes him a regional expert of South Asia and the Muslim world, especially related to religion, society, culture and politics. He is a peer-reviewed member of the academic community and currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of History, Philosophy and Social Science at Bangor University. He has authored three books: (1) Radicalism Unveiled (Routledge, 2013); (2) Segregated Britain: Everyday Life in Muslim Enclaves (Peter Lang, 2020); (3) Leaving Islamism (Peter Lang, Forthcoming).
Since 2017 until now, The Expert has applied his academic knowledge, research and country expertise on Pakistan, India and Afghanistan (countries that have experienced significant displacement of people) to generate over 150 subject-specific expert reports. As a result, The Expert offers impartial assessment and assistance to legal firms and their clients. His expert legal reports provide detailed evidence. For example, on 10 September 2019, Judge Greasley provided a ruling on a first-tier hearing, related to Indian culture and mental health in India. He stated: ‘I was asked to consider an expert report from Dr Wali…Dr Wali had considered the accounts of [the appellant] which were highly plausible regarding inadequate social care that the appellant would receive in India…I find that these aspects of the appeal are reflected and supported by the comments of Dr Wali who explains the absence of mental health treatment facilities in India and how particularly suicide is treated as particularly taboo subject’. This demonstrates how Dr Wali’s knowledge of country conditions provided an expert report with an impartial determination of the facts, which enabled the judge to make a positive legal ruling.
The expert has combined key theoretical approaches to the study of religion with empirical research. He has spent several years in the field, carrying out research across South Asia. The expert has spent over 5 years engaging in extensive field research working within different socio-political contexts and amongst different ethno-religious communities and groups. Therefore, he is perfectly positioned to give an objective opinion on the culture, politics and society of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
The expert has combined key theoretical approaches to the study of religion with empirical research. He has spent several years in the field, carrying out research across South Asia. Wali's primary focus is Pakistan; he has spent over 5 years engaging in extensive field research working intimately with religious communities in Pakistan and India. Therefore, he is perfectly positioned to give objective opinion on the culture, politics and society of Pakistan and India.
· Wali, F. Radicalism Unveiled (Routledge Publishers, The Religion and International Security series, UK) 2013.
· Wali, F. Segregated Britain: Everyday Life in Muslim Enclaves (Peter Lang, UK) 2020.
· Wali, F. Leaving Islamism: Narratives of British Muslims (Peter Lang, UK) 2021.
· Wali, F. ‘An oral history approach to post-conflict identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina’ (Oral History Journal, Vol. 46, No. 1, Spring 2017).
· Wali, F. ‘Functionality of Radicalisation: A Case Study of Hizb ut-Tahrir (journal of Strategic Security, Vol. 10, No. 5, Spring 2017)
· Wali, F. ‘The Method of indoctrination within the Liberation party (Journal of Critical Studies on Terrorism, Vol.3, No 2, 2016).
· Wali, F. ‘Islamist indoctrination: Exploring the In-group techniques used by Hizb ut-Tahrir to Radicalise Young British Muslims’ (Journal for Deradicalization, issue 8, winter 2016).
· Wali, F. ‘Post-Radicalisation Identity: Understanding 'Collective Identity' within Radical Islamist Groups’ Journal of Social and Psychological Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 1 2011.
In India Regional expertise of the following states: Punjab, Rajasthan, Goa, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Delhi)
In India: (1) Political parties (AITC, BSP, BJP, CPI, CPI-M, INC, NCP) (2) Sectarian groups; (3) Religious Groups; and (4) Terrorist Groups
In Afghanistan: (1) Sunni-Muslims; (2) Shia-Muslims; (3) Ahmedis; (4) Religious Minorities; Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhists, Bahai, Parsis; (5) Islamic Fundamentalist Groups: Taliban, Hezb-e Islami, Jamiat-e Islami, Harakat-e Islami-yi, Hezb-e Wahdat-e Islami, Ittehad-I Islami Bara-yi Azadi
In India: (1) Hindu (Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, Smartism); (2) Muslims (Shia/Sunni); (3) Christians; (4) Sikhs; (5) Buddhists; (6) Jainism. Hindu Groups: multiple