Siti Musdah Mulia

She comes from a deeply rooted family of scholars and reformists in South Sulawesi. Her maternal great-grandfather, H. Muhammad Nuhung, was a highly respected Islamic scholar (ulama) who served as Qadhi, or head of the Religious Court, in the Bone Kingdom. Known for his piety, simplicity, and democratic spirit, he firmly rejected feudalism despite being of noble descent. He believed that a person’s nobility was defined not by titles but by moral integrity and daily behaviour. His legacy of humility and intellectual independence became a guiding light for his descendants. On her paternal side, her grandfather K. H. Abdul Fatah was a charismatic Sufi master and leader of the Naqshbandi Order (Tarekat Naqsyabandiyah). His spiritual influence extended across regions in South Sulawesi. Renowned for his modesty and generosity, he often welcomed his followers warmly, providing food and hospitality during religious gatherings. Her mother, Hj. Buwaidah Achmad, continued this heritage of courage and learning. She was the first woman in her village to attend DDI Islamic Boarding School, a groundbreaking step in the 1950s when formal religious education for girls was almost unheard of. Supported by her progressive single mother, she defied social norms and community criticism to pursue her education. From this remarkable lineage, she inherited her strong sense of justice, independence, and intellectual courage. The democratic principles of her grandfather, the piety of her forebears, and the bravery of her mother and grandmother have profoundly shaped her character and life mission to uphold equality, compassion, and truth in Islam.

Formal Education: Kosambi Elementary School, Jakarta (1970); As’adiyah Islamic Boarding School, South Sulawesi (1973); Datumuseng Islamic College, Makassar (1976); B.A. in Islamic Studies, IAIN Alauddin Makassar (1982); M.A. in Islamic Studies, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta (1992); Ph.D. in Islamic Thought, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta (1997). Non-Formal Education: Civil Society Education, University of Melbourne (1998); Human Rights Education, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (2000); Advocacy & Democracy Education, USA (2000); Leadership Program, George Mason University, USA (2001); Human Rights Trainer, Lund University, Sweden (2001); Women’s Leadership Program, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2002); Visiting Professor, EHESS Paris (2006); International Leadership Visitor Program, USA (2007).

Prof. Siti Musdah Mulia is a renowned Islamic scholar, lecturer, and reformist thinker dedicated to promoting gender equality and human rights. She serves as a lecturer and researcher at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and has held key positions at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including Head of Research and Development and Head of the Gender Mainstreaming Team (2001–2007). She played a pivotal role in drafting the Counter Legal Draft of the Compilation of Islamic Law (CLD-KHI), a landmark initiative promoting equality in Islamic family law. As Chairperson of the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace (ICRP), she continues to advocate for interfaith harmony and inclusive Islamic reform, representing Indonesia in various international forums.

Mulia Raya Foundation is very active in community education, especially for millennials and kindergarten teachers.

Reformist Muslim Women (2005); Women and Politics (2005); Islam and Violence Against Women (2006); Islam and Inspiration for Gender Equality (2007); Islam and Human Rights (2010); True Muslim Women (2011); Building Heaven on Earth (2011); Exploring Sexuality (2015); Encyclopedia of Reformist Muslim Women (2019); Cross-Border Journey (Perjalanan Lintas Batas, 2022). Contributor to major reference works such as Encyclopaedia of Islam, Encyclopaedia of Islamic Law, and Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an.

She has been passionate about leadership and organisation since her youth. She served as class president throughout her school years, and during university became active in student and campus bodies and associations, including the Indonesian Muslim Student Association (PMII) and the Indonesian National Student Council (KNPI). Alongside her career as a civil servant, she has remained deeply involved in social and religious organisations such as IPPNU, Fatayat NU, Muslimat NU, and Solidaritas Perempuan, championing women’s empowerment and human rights. Her active involvement in these movements earned her recognition as a human rights activist as well as an academic. From 2000 to 2005, she served as one of the chairpersons of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), leading the Research and Assessment Division. In this role, she encouraged clerics to use wisdom and fairness in addressing differences of belief, promoting the principles of tolerance and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Driven by her vision of a progressive and humanist Islam, she also dedicates much of her time to public speaking, marriage counselling, and interfaith discussions, thus offering a calm, compassionate, and inclusive perspective on religion.

Throughout her remarkable career, she has received numerous national and international awards in recognition of her courage, scholarship, and lifelong dedication to promoting democracy, peace, and human rights. In 2007, she received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Department of State, honouring her steadfast commitment to democracy and equality. The following year, she was granted the Yap Thiam Hien Human Rights Award (2008) for her tireless advocacy on behalf of vulnerable groups and minorities in Indonesia. Her efforts to promote peace and understanding were recognised with the Plangi Tribute to Women Award from Antara News Agency (2009), and later that same year, she was named International Woman of the Year (2009) by the Government of Italy for her contributions to defending the rights of women and minority communities. In 2012, she received the NABIL Award for consistently voicing the principles of diversity and national unity. Her intellectual influence in academia was further acknowledged by the Indonesian Association for Social Sciences in 2013, which honoured her as a scientist who has made significant contributions to the development of social sciences in Indonesia. Her global impact on peace and interfaith harmony earned her the title Ambassador of Global Harmony (2014) from the Anand Ashram Foundation, followed by the Humanity Award (2019) from the International Forum for Peace and Human Rights, recognising her efforts in advancing peace and human rights through education and dialogue. Most recently, in 2022, she was presented with the SATUPENA Award by the Indonesian Writers Association (Satupena) as a Dedicated Non-Fiction Writer, celebrating her role in shaping public thought through her insightful writings on Islam, gender equality, and humanity. Through these honours, Prof. Musdah Mulia is recognised not only as an influential scholar but also as a moral voice for compassion, equality, and peace—values that define both her life’s work and enduring legacy.

Founder, ICRP (Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace); Member, AIPI (Indonesian Academy of Sciences); Chairperson of Advisory Board, Suluh Perempuan; Chair of Trustees, Global Peace Foundation Indonesia; Founder, Ulul Albab Islamic Studies Club.

Recognised as one of Indonesia’s foremost reformist Muslim scholars, promoting gender equality and human rights in Islam; first Indonesian woman to obtain a Ph.D. in Islamic Thought from IAIN Jakarta; globally respected advocate for pluralism and peace.

Bahasa Indonesia (native), English (fluent), Arabic (proficient)

She enjoys reading, cooking, and swimming. Reading nurtures her love of learning and reflection, while cooking allows her to relax and express care for others. Swimming helps her maintain balance and well-being amid her busy academic and social commitments.

She earned her Ph.D. in Islamic Thought — becoming the first woman to do so in Indonesia— affirming that women can be intellectual and spiritual leaders in Islam.

She is a frequent keynote speaker at national and international conferences on Islam, human rights, and gender justice. She actively conducts counselling sessions and public education programs that promote a humanist and inclusive interpretation of Islam. Outside her academic and advocacy work, she also enjoys diving, finding peace and inspiration in the beauty of the underwater world.

“Courage to think independently, loyalty to human values, and the conviction that religion must humanise human beings.”

m-mulia@indo.net.id, musdah.mulia@blogspot.co.id, http://muslimahreformis.co, www.instagram.com/musdahmuliaofficial, www.instagram.com/muslimahreformisfoundation

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.