01-Contents Page.indd - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre

Scholarly
Asia
AZERBAIJAN
ibrahimoglu, ilgar
Ibrahimoglu is a charismatic young Islamic scholar and human rights activist who is the head
of a pro-Iranian Shi‘a congregation in Baku and Azerbaijan’s Center for Freedom of Conscience
and Worship. Ibrahimoglu received his religious education in Qom, Iran, but also studied human
rights in Poland. This combination of Islamic and secular education is attractive for a population
that was only recently part of the Soviet Union.
pashazade, sheikh ul islam haji allahshukur hummat
Pashazade is not only the grand mufti of Azerbaijan, but also the mufti by election of the whole
Caucasus region. Pashazade is also the world’s only Sunni-Shi‘a grand mufti, giving each group
fatwas according to their relevant madhab, reflecting Azerbaijan’s Sunni-Shi‘a mix.
BRUNEI
bin juned, his eminence dr ustaz haji awang abd aziz
Bin Juned is the state mufti of Brunei and a well-respected scholar that advises the government and
the royal family on matters of faith.
INDIA
engineer, asghar ali
Engineer is a Dawoodi Bohra Ismaili. He is the leader of the progressive Dawoodi Bohra movement
and a prominent Islamic scholar who is famous for his take on Islam and contemporary issues.
Engineer has written many books and published articles in many international journals. He is the
founding chairman of the Asian Muslim Action Network, and of the Institute of Islamic Studies,
and the Center for the Study of Society and Secularism.
qaudri, professor sayid ameen mian [2009:44]
Professor Sayid Ameen Mian Qaudri is leader of the Indian Barelwis and a sajjada nashin, or Sufi
disciple of the Barkatiya Sufi tradition which stems from the Qadiriyyah tradition of eminent Sufi
master, ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani (1077-1166 CE). Qaudri is also a professor of Urdu language at India’s
esteemed Aligarh Muslim University.
sadiq, maulana kalbe [new]
Sadiq is a well-known scholar of Shi‘a Islam. His aim is to break down the existing barriers between
Hindus and Muslims in India. Currently, Sadiq is also the vice president of the All India Muslim
Personal Law Board, focused on shari‘a law in India.
INDONESIA
baswedan, anies [new]
Baswedan was named one of the World’s 100 Public Intellectuals in 2008 by Foreign Policy
Magazine, as well as Young Global Leader 2009 by the World Economic Forum. Baswedan is the
youngest university rector in Indonesia. In 2007, he was selected as rector of Paramadina University
which was founded by the prominent Muslim scholar, Nurcholis Madjid. Besides his role as a
political analyst in Indonesian media, Baswedan has frequently joined international seminars and
written papers for scientific journals, especially in the United States. He is also the research director
at The Indonesian Institute Center for Public Policy Analysis in Jakarta.
gymnastiar, abdullah ‘aa gym’ [2009:48]
Abdullah Gymnastiar, more commonly known as Aa Gym (Elder Brother), is Indonesia’s most
popular preacher. With his style of modern, youthful, enjoyable preaching he has built a substantial
following and a media empire. He maintains a regular audience of over 80 million Indonesians
with an approval rating of close to 90 percent. Gymnastiar is both preacher and performer; he
is an attractive and charismatic young man, he makes jokes, tells stories and then sings nasheed
(religious songs) accompanied by lights, dry ice, and a band.
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