INDONESIA - Profile - Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab.

Appointed Foreign Minister in October 1999, Dr. Shihab is a relative new comer to diplomacy. He took over from Ali Alatas, a high profile figure who was held in high esteem worldwide and who had controlled the foreign ministry throughout much of Suharto's rule. Dr. Shihab would have a hard time filling his shoes under normal circumstances, and the situation facing Indonesia at present is far from normal. His own experience is mainly in academia as an expert on religion and in the private sector, having served chief executive and commissioner of several companies. Born in Rappang, South Sulawesi, on Aug. 19, 1946, Shihab received his Bachelor's degree in 1968 from Indonesia's Islamic Institute, at Unjung Pandang. He then got his MA from the University of Al Azhar in Cairo in 1986, and a PhD from Ain Shams University in Cairo in 1990. In the meantime, he had succeeded professionally as well reaching top positions in business. He continued studies and picked up a second MA from Temple University in the US in 1992 and a second PhD from the same university in 1995. In 1995-96, he started a post doctorate programme at the Centre for Study of World Religions at Harvard University.

Professionally, he succeeded in reaching the position of Chief Executive at the Priangan Glass Factory in 1975, a position he held until 1979. From 1979 to 1982 he was the President Director of Alfa Contracting Co., in the Saudi city of Jeddah. He returned to Indonesia in 1982 to take up the position of Chief Executive of PT Prima Advera in Jakarta, a position he held until 1986. In 1982 he also became a commissioner and member of the Darul Qoran Foundation in Jakarta, a position he holds today. Between 1985 and 1990 he was Commissioner of PT Eagle Tripelti in the Indonesian capital and in 1986 he took up the post of Chief Commissioner of PT Dhafco Manunggal Sejati. Dr. Shihab has extensive teaching experience. In 1985-1988 he taught at Averroes University, Jakarta; in 1993-1995 at the Department of Religion, Temple University, US; in 1994-1995 at the Philadelphia College of Textile & Science (Spiritual Development Program), US; in 1996 at the Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut, US; and in 1998 at Harvard University Divinity School. Dr. Shihab is married.