ISLAMIC PERSONALITIES

ISLAMIC PERSONALITIES

PAST ISLAMIC SCHOLARS

SHEIKH NAWAWI AL-BANTANI

Full name: Abu Abdullah al-Muthi Muhammad Nawawi bin Umar al-Tanari al-Bantani al-Jawi.Born at Desa Tanara, Kecamatan Tirtayasa, Serang, Banten, West of Java in the year 1813.Substituted Syeikh Ahmad Khatib Sambas when the imam of Masjidil Haram was unwell to lead the prayer. After that, he was known as Syeikh Nawawi al-Jawi.Taught and conducted halaqah (religious gatherings and discussions) which was attended by students from all over the world.Active in writing books which answered to questions pertaining to Islam. Some of his widely known books and writings are Tafsir Marah Labid, Atsimar al-Yaniah fi Ar-Riyadah al-Badiah, Nurazh Sullam and al-Futuhat al-Madaniyah.

SYEIKH AHMAD KHATIB AL-MINANGKABAWI

Name : Syeikh Ahmad Khatib .Born on 6 Dzulhijjah 1276 H, in Koto Gadang, Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.He held firmly on Syafie mainstream and was an Ahl-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah, who focused deeply on fiqh and aqida.Known as a scholar who was against customary traditions which are not in line with the Shariah. He strictly opposed to the maternal system influencing hereditary law in Minangkabau.Some of his writings are Dhau-us Siraj, Raudhatul Hussab fi Amali Ilmil Hisab and al-Jauharun Naqiyah fil Amali Jaibiyah.

FREEDOM FIGHTERS

AGUS SALIM

Full name: Musyudul Haq.Born on 8th of October 1884 in Kota Gadang, West Sumatra.Was one of Indonesias founding father.He passed away on 4th of November 1954 and recently his grave was relocated to Taman Makam Pahlawan Nasional (TMPN) Kalibata, Jakarta.In 1915, he joined Sarekat Islam, the first nationalist political party in IndonesiaHe was a member of various committees for the preparation for Indonesian independence such as Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (Committee for Indonesian Independence Preparation) and the Formulator Committee, which had written the preamble to Indonesian Constitution.He served as Foreign Minister in his country for three years.He opened a public school for native Indonesians in his hometown.

ABDUL MUIS

Born on 3rd of July 1883 at Sungai Puar in West Sumatra. He passed away on 17th of July 1959. Worked as a civil servant before getting involved in journalism.His writings were published in De Express, a Dutch language newspaper, where he criticized the Dutch rude attitudes towards Indonesians.Was named a national hero by President Sukarno. A member of the delegation of the Comit Indi Weerbaar(Committee for the Defence of the Indies) to discuss the defence for Indonesia following the World War I.Was sent to Netherlands in negotiations aimed in obtaining direct representation for Indonesia in the Dutch Parliamentary systemInvolved in the establishment of the Bandung Institute of Technology. Founded Persatuan Perjuangan Priangan, an organisation which focused on the development of West Java and Sundanese.

MUSLIM PHILANTHROPIST

JUSUF KALLA

Full name : Drs. H. Muhammad Jusuf KallaBorn in Watampone, Kabupaten Bone, South Sulawesi on May 15th,1942.Former Indonesian vice president.Founder of Kalla Foundation. Currently holding the position of Chairman of Indonesian Red Cross Society. Spent $1.3 million last year to boost national blood bank to increase supply to hospital patients and disaster victims. Built free high schools for the children coming from poor families in South Sulawesi. It is also planting 10,000 trees along a 25 km stretch of the coastal road there.

PRESENT ISLAMIC SCHOLARS

SAID AQIL SIRADJ

Born on 3rd of July 1953 in Cirebon, West Java.A graduate of University Umm al-Qura, in the course of comparative religion study and University King Abdul Aziz, in the study of Usuluddin and Dakwah. Currently the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama(NU) which is Indonesias largest independent Muslim organization and one of the worlds most influential organization.Previously served on Indonesias National Commission for Human Rights. Founder of the Said Aqil Centre in Egypt, a study centre that focuses on developing Islamic discourse.

MUSLIM LEADER

ABDURRAHMAN WAHID

Real name: Abdurrahman Adakhil.Popularly known as Gus Dur.Passed away on 30th December 2009. Served as the President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001.Was a long-time president of the Nahdlatul Ulama and the founder of the National Awakening Party.Founded the Wahid Institute Jakarta-based non profit organisation.An advocate ofinterfaith dialogueand sat on the Board of World Religious Leaders forThe Elijah Interfaith Institute.