Siti Musdah Mulia earned the first PhD in Islamic thought granted to a woman by Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in 1997. An academic and activist born in 1958 in South Sulawesi, she specializes in civil rights, religion, and the reinterpretation of Islamic teachings concerning gender equality and social inclusivity within the Indonesian context.
Academic Background
Mulia completed her formal education across several institutions, including Alauddin Islamic State University, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, and Jakarta State Islamic University. Her academic work eventually led to her appointment as a research professor at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. She currently holds a position as a lecturer focusing on Islamic political thought at the School of Graduate Studies at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta.
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Between 1999 and 2007, she served as a senior advisor at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. In this capacity, she contributed to a 2004 legal draft that sought to amend Indonesia’s Islamic legal code. Her proposals included prohibitions on polygamy and child marriage, alongside provisions for interfaith marriage. Following this period, she led the research division of the Council of Indonesian Ulema from 2000 to 2005. Since 2007, she has chaired the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace, an organization dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue.
Published Works and Views
Mulia has authored several texts on gender and religion, notably Islam Criticises Polygamy in 2003, The Reformist Muslimah's Encyclopedia in 2004, and Islam and the Inspiration of Gender Equality in 2005. She released an updated version of her encyclopedia in 2020. Her public discourse addresses controversial topics, asserting that women should have the authority to interpret religious teachings. She has characterized polygamy as haram and has argued that the hijab is not a mandatory religious directive.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Education: Alauddin Islamic State University, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Jakarta State Islamic University
- Major Award: International Women of Courage Award (2007)
- Major Award: Yap Thiam Hien Award (2008)
- Professional Membership: Indonesian Academy of Sciences
- Current Role: Lecturer, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University
- Citizenship: Indonesia
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Musdah Mulia's research?
Her research primarily addresses Islamic political thought, gender equality, and human rights, specifically concerning the reinterpretation of Islamic teachings.
Did Musdah Mulia serve in government roles?
Yes, she served as a senior advisor at the Ministry of Religious Affairs from 1999 to 2007 and led the research division of the Council of Indonesian Ulema from 2000 to 2005.
