the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

SCHOLARLY
INDONESIA
azra, azyumardi
Azra is a distinguished Indonesian scholar who has taught in numerous universities around the
world. He is a prominent academic—publishing numerous books and articles. Besides being an
advisor to the Indonesian vice president, he is an informal diplomat for Indonesia, particularly in
presenting Indonesia’s experience of Islam and democracy as a speaker in conferences. He is also
a member of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), New York
(2006-present). A regular column in a national newspaper ‘Republika’ bolsters his influence with
the Indonesian public.
maarif, syafii
Maarif is one of Indonesia’s most famous scholars whose political comments regularly attract
significant attention. This former president of the influential Muhammadiyah organization is
actively involved in the interfaith and peace movements both domestically and internationally.
Maarif is also a professor of history at National University of Yogyakarta, and a productive author
and columnist currently writing two regular columns in 'Republika' newspaper and also in GATRA
magazine.
MALAYSIA
bakar, prof. dr dato osman
Bakar is a Malaysian academic who is widely respected and critically acclaimed in both the Muslim
and non-Muslim world. His books have been translated into numerous languages. He has also
published books with many of the leading global experts on Islam and interfaith relations. He has
served as the vice chancellor of the University of Malaysia, a position that enables him to exert a
considerable amount of pressure in Malaysian academia. Bakar was also the first holder of the Chair
of the Philosophy of Science at the University of Malaysia. He is one of the founding members
and has also served as president of the Islamic Academy of Science of Malaysia. He has also been
awarded the honorary title of Dato.
kamali, prof. dr mohammad hashim
Kamali is the world’s leading expert and author on Islamic law and modern law and comparison
between them. He is one of the most prolific producers of quality scholarship on Islam in the world
today. Originally from Afghanistan, he is a dean and professor at the International Institute of
Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) and the International Islamic University in Malaysia.
PAKISTAN
ahmed, dr israr
Ahmed is the founder of Tanzeem-e-Islami. He is a well-respected figure among the Muslim populations
of Pakistan, the Middle East, and North America—known specifically for his efforts to bring
educated Muslims towards the teachings of the Qur’an. He believes in a ‘dynamic’ conception of
Islam with the ultimate objective of establishing a ‘true’ Islamic state. Ahmad has a daily show on
satellite channel Peace TV, has written over 60 books, and has been lauded by the State of Pakistan
for his work.
ansari, zafar ishaq
Ansari is the director general of the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University
of Islamabad. The Islamic Research Institute is one of the premier centers for research in the Islamic
sciences. Formerly he served as president of the university, and remains vice president. He is on the
editorial board of a number of the most influential academic journals on Islam. He is a member of
an international scientific committee set up by UNESCO to supervise the writing of a six-volume
series on Islamic culture. He is the co-editor of the first volume.
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