Yang Amat Arif Dato' Syeikh Ghazali bin Hj. Abdul Rahman was born on 31st December 1938 in Kampung Kepala Bukit, Tobiar, Pendang, Kedah. He was known to have extensive knowledge in the Islamic legal field.

He had his early education at the Tobiar Malay School, Pendang from 1946 until 1951 and his secondary education at the Maktab Mahmud, Alor Star from 1951 until 1961. Being very earnest and diligent, he was able to continue his studies at the Al-Azhar University, Cairo where he graduated with a master degree in Islamic Law. Later, he obtained a Teaching Diploma from the University of Ain Sham, Cairo, Eqypt. Apart from that, he also obtained a Diploma in Law Administration from the International Islamic University, and he and his colleagues were the first batch to receive such diploma.

Career

• Religious and Arabic Language Teacher, Maktab Mahmud, Alor Star (15 June, 1969)
• District Kadi, Kota Star (1971-1972)
• District Kadi, Padang Terap (1972-1977)
• Chief Religious Information Officer, for Kedah State as well as Secretary of Baitulmal Kedah State (1979-1980)
• Member, Committee to study and formulate Islamic Administrative Laws for the state of Kedah
• Chief Kadi of the Federal Territory's Syariah Court, Kuala Lumpur (1st September 1980)
• Director-General / Chief Judge Syariah Court Judge, Syariah Legal Department, Malaysia (1st December, 1998 until now)

Involvements in Social and Professional Organisations

• Panel Member, Syariah Court of Appeal for Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Terengganu, Johor and Pulau Pinang
• Member, Islamic Religious Council of the Federal Territory
• Member, Syariah Coordination Council, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia
• Chairman, Committee Council entrusted to formulate the Training Curriculum for Syariah Officers, Malaysia
• Member, Syariah Supervisory Council
• Member, Accounting and Audition Organization Islamic Financial Institution (AAOIF)

Dato' Syeikh Ghazali is also active in presenting working papers in Islamic law at various courses, seminars and symposia held at state as well as national levels. To date, he has presented 40 working papers in various states, such as Kedah, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Sabah.

In appreciation of his immense contributions and services to the society and the country, particularly in the religious field, the government had bestowed on him several awards, such as the A.M.N. (1984), the S.D.K. (1991) and the D.S.D.K. (1995) which carries the title Dato'. In 1995, Dato' Syeikh Ghazali bin Hj. Abdul Rahman was chosen to receive the award TOKOH MAAL HIJRAH at the Federal Territory level, for his contributions in the field of Islamic Law and Administration especially in the Federal Territory.