Dr. Alwi Shihab has been the Indonesian president’s adviser and special envoy to the Middle East and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation since 2006.
Prior to his current role, he held prominent positions in the Indonesian government. He served as the coordinating minister for people’s welfare between 2004 and 2005, and as the foreign minister between 2000 and 2004.
Dr. Shihab is a leading authority and scholar on the interaction of Christian and Muslim communities. He holds several degrees and served at Hartford Seminary in Hartford as a professor of religion. He was also a fellow and a visiting professor at Harvard University.
He obtained bachelor and master’s degrees from Cairo’s Al-Azhar University in 1966 and 1968 respectively.
He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Islamic philosophy from IAIN Alauddin, Ujung Pandang, Indonesia in 1986.
Moreover, he received his Ph.D. from Cairo’s University of Ain Shams in 1990. He again continued his education and went on to obtain another master’s degree from Temple University in the US followed by yet another Ph.D. from the same university in 1995. Between 1995 and 1996, Dr. Shihab received another post-doctorate degree from Harvard University’s Divinity School.
He served as a professor at several universities in Indonesia and the US.
Dr. Shihab has authored many books and articles on Islam and Christianity relations. His vision is focused on peace advocacy. He is dedicated to eradicating radicalism that plagues both Islam and the West and highlighting the similarities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
He also established various businesses including Glass Priangan Factory in Indonesia, and Alfa Contracting Co. in Jeddah.
Dr. Shihab expressed his country’s pride at being a guest of honor at the Janadriyah Festival.
“We are proud of this appointment, which many countries aspire to, and we are thankful to the king and to the government of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
