Alwi Shihab and Francisco Gómez (El Salvador President)

Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab (Arabic: علوي عبد الرحمن شهاب‎; Alawī ʿAbd ar-Raḥman Šihāb) is one of the leading authorities and scholars on the interaction of Christian and Muslim communities. Currently he is the Indonesian President's special envoy to the Middle East and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. He was the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare in 2004-2005 and the Foreign Minister of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Education 3 Career 4 Personal life 5 References 6 External links

Early life

Alwi was born in Rappang, South Sulawesi in Indonesia on 19 August 1946. He inherited a passion in academic achievements from his father, Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Shihab, who was a dean at IAIN Alauddin in Makassar, South Sulawesi. He is a younger sibling of Prof. Dr. Quraish Shihab and Prof. Dr. Umar Shihab of MUI (The Indonesian Council of Ulama). Education

Alwi's father sent Alwi and his brother Quraish to Cairo to continue their high school abroad. After completing his high school in Cairo, Alwi continued and completed his bachelor degree from Al-Azhar University and acquired L.C. degree in 1968. He then continued his education in Indonesia and completed his master at Alaudin State Institute of Islamic Studies (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Alaudin), Ujung Pandang in 1986. His first doctoral degree was acquired in 1990 from University of Ain Shams, Cairo with research dissertation in the area of tasawwuf and Islamic philosophy. He went to US to continue his education at Temple University, USA and completed his M.A. in 1992. Being not enough with a single doctoral degree, he then completed his second Ph.D from the same university in 1995. While at Temple, Alwi become assistant professor for the Department of Religion.

Alwi also did some post-doctorate at Harvard University: The Center For the Study of Word Religions, USA during 1995-1996 period. Later, he joined Hartford Seminary in Hartford, as professor of religion. In 1998 he served as fellow and visiting professor at Harvard University's Divinity School - Center for the Study of World Religions.

In 90's he wrote a book about Islam-Christianity interaction: Islam Inklusif He has recently completed two works for publication: a manuscript entitled American Students’ Perceptions of Islam (forthcoming), and a translated (from Arabic to English) version of a previous publication entitled Islamic Mysticism and Its Impact on Indonesian Society (forthcoming). Alwi Shihab with Colin Powell, Jan 5 2005

In 2002 he become adjunct professor for graduate programs at UI and currently is a member of Universitas Indonesia (UI) Board of Trustee. Career

In politics, His political career started when he was elected as member of Indonesian parliament and then minister of foreign affairs in The Wahid administration. Alwi was The chairman of PKB (The National Awakening Party). He served as Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare and a minister in Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's cabinet. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab (left) is escorted through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz on March 12, 2001

Alwi, unlike his brothers who focus their career in education and Islamic studies only, has also strong business entrepreneurship. Since after completing his education in Cairo, Alwi started some businesses. In 1975 to 1979 he was CEO of Glass Priangan Factory in Cianjur, Indonesia. During 1979 -1982 he was the President of Director for Alfa Contracting Company in Jeddah. In 1982 to 1986 he was the President of Director of PT. Prima Advera company in Jakarta. In 1982 he founded Yayasan Darul Qur'an, also in Jakarta. During 1986 -1990 he became a member of board of directors at Eagle Tripelti in Jakarta and since 1986, he has been a member of the board of Dhafco Manunggal Sejati, Jakarta.

On October 26, 2004 He was honorarily discharged from PKB due to the party's internal political conflict and clash with some other leaders. In 2007 he founded his own party, Partai Kebangkitan Nasional Ulama (PKNU) or "Party of National Scholar Awakening" in which he still serves as the chairman until now. Personal life

Alwi Shihab is of Hadhrami Arab descent and claims a lineage as a Sayyid, or a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (via Zayn al-Abidin, great-grandson of Muhammad).

Alwi Shihab is married to Ashraf Shahab and has two sons: Muhammad Rizvi and Samy, and one daughter: Samira Shihab. One of his children, Samy, lives in The United States.

He has continuously tried to present Islam as an inclusive, moderate religion, basing this on his reading of the Qur'an.

Francisco Gómez (El Salvador President) and Alwi Shihab

Francisco Gómez de Altamirano y de Elizondo (August 5, 1796, Cartago, Costa Rica – May 1838, Guatemala) was a Central American licenciado, military officer and Liberal politician. From November 15, 1835 to February 1, 1836 he was chief of state of the state of El Salvador within the Central American Federation.

Gómez's parents were José Luis Goméz de Altamirano y Gazo, a Peninsular, and Bartola de Elizondo, a native of Cartago. He was sent to Metapán, El Salvador as a child.

Later he studied law in Guatemala, becoming a licenciado. Having accumulated some money, he moved back to Metapán, where he married Catalina Rodríguez. He also brought his father, now widowed, to live with him. He was part of the city council of Metapán in November 1811, when the first independence revolt broke out. He joined with the other council members in opposing this, although he was secretly a supporter of independence.

He moved to San Salvador, where he also became a member of the city council. He edited the Instrucciones, in which he expressed very liberal ideas.

Upon the proclamation of independence, he joined the patriot cause and fought in the war against Imperial Mexico (1822–23). He attained the rank of captain.

He was elected a deputy in the Legislature in 1826. Later he returned to the army of the state, when El Salvador and Honduras withdrew recognition of the federal authorities. He served under General Francisco Morazán, whose confidence he gained. He was promoted to colonel. On October 10, 1827 in Izalco he presented to federal President Manuel José Arce El Salvador's peace proposals.

On November 15, 1835, Morazán made him chief of state of El Salvador state, replacing Nicolás Espinoza. He served on an interim basis, until he was replaced by Diego Vigil on February 1, 1836.

Francisco Gómez was assassinated in Guatemala in May 1838.
164+255 163 165 166