Riaz Hassan AM, FASSA (1937–2022) was an Australian Research Council Professorial Fellow and Emeritus Professor in the Department of Sociology, Flinders University.
In his findings from this study Hassan argued that the genesis of modern Islamism is located in the historical, social, political and material conditions of Muslim countries and the imperialistic policies of Western nations.
His other recent books are; Life as a Weapon: The Global Rise of Suicide Bombings (Routledge 2010) and Suicide Bombings (Routledge 2011); Islam and society: sociological explorations (MUP 2013); Afghanistan: The Next Phase, coaouther with Shahid Jarvid Burki and Iftikhar Ahmed Chowdhury (MUP 2015); Indian Muslims: Struggling for Equality of Citizenship (MUP 2016) In 2006 Hassan was awarded one of Australia's largest research grants by the Australian Research Council to investigate 'Suicide Terrorism: The Use of Life as Weapon' which includes compiling data on suicide attacks, and exploring the ideology and motivations of terrorist organizations using suicide missions as a strategy.
[1] His work in this area fell under the international spotlight when, in the aftermath of 9-11 hysteria, Australian anti-terror laws were established which prohibits anybody, including researchers and scholars, from conducting interviews or having any contact with terrorist groups.
[2] Hassan was made a Member of the Order of Australia on 12 June 2006 for "service to sociology, particularly as an educator, author and researcher, and as a contributor to the understanding of housing needs of disadvantaged individuals and communities.