Imam Dr Naeem Hamza

Birth and Childhood

Born in 1973 in Derbyshire, England, to Frederick William Boddey and Arlean Boddey (née Hamson), I grew up in the picturesque countryside of Horsley Woodhouse, a small village in Derbyshire. An avid Nottingham Forest supporter, my journey took a transformative turn when my family relocated to Crieff, Scotland, in 1988, following my mother’s remarriage.

Military Career and working career

In 1989, I began my career in service by joining the British Army, serving in Northern Ireland, Kuwait during the Gulf War, and Bosnia as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. After six years of military service, I transitioned into private security, working as a bodyguard in Santa Monica, California, for a decade before returning to the United Kingdom in 2007.

Academia and Conversion to Islam

My academic and professional pursuits have been diverse. I earned a PhD in Computer Science and contributed to cutting-edge advancements while working with the UAE Space Agency, CERN, and Tencent in Shenzhen, China. These global experiences deeply enriched my perspective, ultimately leading me to embrace Islam.

Islamic Research and Scholarship

Following my conversion, I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Islamic Studies at the University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia.

Currently, I am furthering my academic journey with a Master’s degree in Theology and Philosophy at the University of Birmingham.

In 2023, I was honoured with the title of Imam while leading prayers at a local mosque in Derby.

In January 2025 I accepted the position of research scholar for the University of Birmingham, Dubai.

Imam and Scholar

I now work full-time as a community Imam in Derby and activist in a "Reform Islam England" movement.

In addition to my religious responsibilities, I am a research scholar for the University of Birmingham, Dubai, focusing on the intersection of Gnostic Christianity and Gnostic Islam.

My work aims to deepen understanding of these traditions and foster connections across faiths.

Through my role as Imam and scholar, I am committed to building bridges of unity and knowledge, creating spaces where spirituality and community can flourish.