Farid Esack is a traditionally trained scholar who is also a successful academic in modern universities. He has authored many famous written works on Islam and is arguably the world’s leading Islamic Liberation theologian. He was appointed as gender equality commissioner by Nelson Mandela. Through the organization, The Call of Islam, Esack played a leading role in the struggle against apartheid. He is an advocate of interreligious solidarity, against all forms of injustice and has worked extensively to support Muslims infected with HIV. He is currently Head of the Department of Religion Studies at the University of Johannesburg and has been a professor at Harvard University. In 2018 he was awarded the Order of Luthuli (Silver), South Africa’s highest civilian order for his contribution to scholarship and work for justice.