Dr. Sheikholeslami was an advisor to President Mohammad Khatami during his eight years of presidency with a focus on the issues related to the Sunni population of Iran. He was also a chairman at Tehran University.
He is a Sunni Kurd. Dr. Sheikholeslami is the author of two books on Kalam and continues to teach and advise graduate students at Tehran University. He is also a member of the advisory board for all universities in the western region of Iran.