Alwi Shihab
Alwi was born in Rappang, South Sulawesi in Indonesia on 19 August 1946. He inherited a passion in academic achievements from his father, Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Shihab, who was a dean at IAIN Alauddin in Makassar, South Sulawesi. He is a younger sibling of Prof. Quraish Shihab, Ph.D and Prof. Dr. Umar Shihab of MUI.
Alwi's father sent Alwi and his brother Quraish to Cairo to continue their high school abroad. After completing his high school in Cairo, Alwi continued and completed his bachelor degree from Al-Azhar University and acquired L.C. degree in 1968. He then continued his education in Indonesia and completed his master at IAIN Alaudin, Ujung Pandang in 1986. His 1st doctoral degree was acquired in 1990 from University of Ain Shams, Cairo with research dissertation in the area of tasawwuf and Islamic philosophy. He went to US to continue his education at Temple University, USA and completed his M.A. in 1992. Being not enough with a single doctoral degree, he then completed his 2nd Ph.D from the same university in 1995. While at Temple, Alwi become assistant professor for the Department of Religion.Alwi also did some post-doctorate at Harvard University: The Center For the Study of Word Religious, USA during 1995-1996 period. Later, he joined Hartford Seminary in Hartford, as professor of religion. In 1998 he served as fellow and visiting professor at Harvard University's Divinity School - Center for the Study of World Religions.
In 90's he wrote a book about Islam-Christianity interaction: Islam Inklusif He has recently completed two works for publication: a manuscript entitled American Students’ Perceptions of Islam, and a translated (from Arabic to English) version of a previous publication entitled Islamic Mysticism and Its Impact on Indonesian Society.
In 2002 he become adjunct professor for graduate programs at UI and currently is a member of University of Indonesia Board of Trustee.
In politics, His political career started when he was elected as member of Indonesian parliament and then minister of foreign affairs in The Wahid administration. Alwi was The chairman of PKB. He served as Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and a minister in Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's cabinet,.
Alwi, unlike his brothers who focus their career in education and Islamic studies only, has also strong business entrepreneurship. Since after completing his education from Cairo, Alwi started some businesses. In 1975 to 1979 he was CEO of Glass Priangan Factory, Cianjur, Indonesia. During 1979 -1982 he was President of Direktur for Alfa Contracting Company in Jeddah. In 1982 to 1986 he was President of Director pf PT. Prima Advera in Jakarta. In 1982 he founded Yayasan Darul Qur'an, also in Jakarta. During 1986 -1990 he became a member of board of directors at Eagle Tripelti in Jakarta and since 1986, he has been a member of the board of Dhafco Manunggal Sejati, Jakarta.
On October 26, 2004 He was honorarily discharged from PKB due to the party's internal political conflict and clash with some other leaders. In 2007 he founded his own party, Partai Kebangkitan Nasional Ulama or "Party of National Scholar Awakening" in which he still serves as the chairman until now.
Alwi Shihab is of Hadhrami Arab descent and claims a lineage as a Sayyid, or a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Alwi Shihab is married to Ashraf Shahab and has two sons: Muhammad Rizvi and Samy, and one daughter: Samira Shihab. Two of his children live in The United States.
He has continuously tried to present Islam as an inclusive, moderate religion, basing this on his reading of the Qur'an.
Related Sites for Alwi Shihab
- Najwa Shihab - Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, ensiklopedia bebas read Alwi Shihab
- Penampilan Fessy Alwi Setelah Menikah | Blog Komunitas Fans News ... read Alwi Shihab
