The Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) is one of the oldest faculties at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. This faculty was established alongside the origins of UIN Jakarta, namely the Academy of Religious Sciences (ADIA), founded on June 1, 1957. In 1960, ADIA transformed into the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) through the Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia No. 35 of 1960, under the name Faculty of Adab. Over time, this faculty was later renamed the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, while IAIN Jakarta changed its status to a State Islamic University (UIN) based on Presidential Decree No. 031, dated May 20, 2002. (History | Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, n.d.)

Currently, the Faculty of Adab and Humanities has seven study programs, consisting of five undergraduate (S1) programs and two master's (S2) programs. Throughout its history, the faculty has undergone 14 leadership changes, from Prof. Dr. Bustami Arifin Abdul Gani to its current dean, Dr. Ade Abdul Hak. (History | Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 2023)

To this day, the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) has produced many influential graduates who have made significant contributions to students and society. Getting to know these inspiring alumni not only provides motivation but also offers a real picture of one's academic and professional journey toward success.

By understanding the profiles of alumni and figures who have been involved in FAH—from their student years to their achievements in various fields—current students can take them as role models in their educational journey and career planning. Furthermore, the success of alumni reflects the faculty's quality in producing competent and highly competitive graduates.

Inspirational Figures and Alumni of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities:

1. Prof. Dr. Nurcholish Madjid, M.A.

Nurcholish Madjid, affectionately known as Cak Nur, was a Muslim intellectual who made significant contributions to contemporary Islamic thought. He was born in Jombang, East Java, on March 17, 1939, into a pesantren family. His father, K.H. Abdul Madjid, was a graduate of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, while his mother, Hajjah Fathonah Mardiyyah, came from a family of activists in the Islamic Trade Union. (Remembering Nurcholish Madjid, a Muslim Intellectual with a Broad Writing Spectrum | tempo.co, n.d.)

According to uici.ac.id, Cak Nur received a strong religious education from a young age. He studied at the Darul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Jombang before continuing his education at the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo. He pursued higher education at IAIN Jakarta (now UIN Jakarta) in the Arabic Language and Literature program at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, graduating in 1965. He later continued his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, USA, with a dissertation on the philosophy and theology of Ibn Taymiyyah.

In his career, he was actively involved in student organizations and served as chairman for two terms, from 1966–1968 and 1969–1971. His organizational experience helped him enter the political world, and he became a member of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) from 1987–1992 and 1992–1997. He also served as the first Rector of Paramadina Mulya University from 1998–2005 while simultaneously holding a professorship in the postgraduate program at IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta from 1985–2005.

One of his most notable ideas was Islamic renewal. According to Cak Nur, modernization is not the same as Westernization, rationalization is not rationalism, secularization is not secularism, and liberalization is not liberalism. He emphasized that Islam, which literally means "submission" or "obedience," signifies surrender to God, and thus, in essence, all religions in the world embody "Islam" in the sense of submission to God. (Islamic Thought, Modernization, and Indonesian Identity of Cak Nur - UICI, n.d.)

2. Prof. Dr. Bustami Abdul Gani

The Faculty of Adab and Humanities has not only produced influential alumni but also figures who have contributed significantly to the faculty itself, one of whom is Prof. Dr. Bustami Abdul Gani. He was a Muslim scholar who played a vital role in Arabic language education in Indonesia through his academic work at IAIN, now known as UIN Jakarta. He was born in Agam Regency, Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, on December 24, 1912. His education began with Gouvernement Kelas Dua (equivalent to elementary school) for five years in Bukittinggi. At the age of 15 (1927), he continued his studies at the Indonesian Madrasah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, earning his tsanawiyah aliyah diploma in 1932. He then pursued higher education in Egypt at Al-Azhar li al-Ghuraba' Cairo. Afterward, he studied at Madrasah Dar al-Ulum, a specialized institution focusing on Arabic language and literature.

In 1938, he obtained a tadris diploma (teaching qualification) and returned to Indonesia to serve in education. In his career, he became a lecturer and deputy director of Madrasah Normal Islam, Padang, founded by Muhammad Yunus. He later collaborated with his father-in-law, Sheikh Ibrahim Musa, to establish Kulliyah ad-Diniyah (Faculty of Religion) in Parabek. His dedication to education continued until 1952, during which he actively founded various madrasahs. In 1954, he moved to Jakarta at the request of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to establish an Arabic language education institution.

The year 1960 marked an important milestone when ADIA and PTAIN merged into IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. At that time, he was appointed a professor in Arabic language studies and served as Dean of the Faculty of Adab until 1972. Additionally, he held the position of Vice-Rector III for student affairs in 1963 and 1969. His contributions to IAIN Jakarta, particularly in the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, were immense. To honor his legacy, a book titled Sang Begawan Bahasa Arab (The Arabic Language Sage) was published. Moreover, the Abdul Gani Theater Room was inaugurated as a venue for official events, seminars, and graduation ceremonies. (Bustami Abdul Gani - Islamic Encyclopedia, n.d.)

3. Prof. Dr. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, M.A.

Prof. Sudarnoto is an influential figure in advocating for humanitarian issues and global peace, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict. In line with his field of expertise, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation. He was born in Kauman, Banjarnegara, on February 3, 1959. (Getting to Know Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim Through His Legacy in Islamic Political Activism and Humanitarianism, n.d.) As both an academic and a Muhammadiyah activist, Prof. Sudarnoto is known for his extensive writings and analyses on Islamic history and politics in Southeast Asia. His academic journey began under the guidance of his father, who sent him to study at the Persis Bangil Islamic Boarding School near Pasuruan. This pesantren was led by A. Hasan, a scholar who once taught M. Natsir and President Sukarno. After graduating from the boarding school, he pursued studies at the Faculty of Adab, IAIN Jakarta.

He then continued his studies with a scholarship from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), which enabled him to obtain a master's degree at McGill University in Canada. Later, he pursued his doctoral studies at IAIN Jakarta, with a dissertation on Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), an organization once led by Anwar Ibrahim, the current Prime Minister of Malaysia.

As a Muhammadiyah activist, he has been involved since his youth, from the student level to the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Institution of Muhammadiyah. At the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), he has also held various strategic roles. From 2016 to 2022, he was entrusted as the Chairman of the MUI Commission for Education and Cadre Development. Now, he serves as the Chairman of MUI for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation. (Fatunnisa, n.d.)

4. Dr. Fuad Jabali, M.A., Ph.D.

Dr. Fuad Jabali is a researcher and lecturer specializing in various aspects of Islamic studies, including Sirah Nabawiyah (the Prophet's biography), Islamic civilization history, Islamic theology, and modern Islamic issues such as gender, radicalism, democracy, and grassroots Muslim communities. (Apriesta, n.d.)

He was born in Bandung, West Java, on September 11, 1965. Although little is known about his personal life, his academic work has been widely recognized in Islamic studies. His academic journey began at the Faculty of Adab, majoring in Islamic History and Civilization, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1989. He then pursued his master's studies at the University of London in 1992, specializing in Islamic Societies and Cultures at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). He later obtained his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University, in 1999.

After completing his education abroad, he also attended the Pendidikan Kader Ulama (PKU) program under the MUI. Currently, he is a permanent lecturer at the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and teaches in the Faculty of Adab and Humanities for the Islamic History and Civilization undergraduate program. (Profile of Ustadz Dr. Fuad Jabali, M.A., n.d.)

One of his most renowned works is The Companions of the Prophet: A Study of Geographical Distribution and Political Alignment, published in Leiden in 2003 and later translated into Indonesian by Mizan in 2010.

Besides being an academic, he is also actively involved as a senior researcher at the Center for Islamic and Social Studies (PPIM) UIN Jakarta and has served as the Head of the Institute for Research and Community Development (LP2M) at UIN Jakarta. (Apriesta, n.d.)

5. Prof. Amelia Fauzia, M.A., Ph.D.

Prof. Amelia Fauzia, Ph.D., is an academic, researcher, and lecturer known for her contributions to the study of Islamic philanthropy, Islamic history, and the relationship between religion and the state. Her research focuses on zakat (Islamic almsgiving), waqf (endowments), and other forms of social charity in Islam, particularly in the Indonesian and Southeast Asian contexts. (Dr. Amelia Fauzia, n.d.; Fauzia, n.d.) While not much is documented about her personal biography, her writings have had a significant influence in society.

Currently, she is a Professor at the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia. Prof. Amelia Fauzia completed her undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (PDDikti, n.d.) She then pursued her master's and doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia, focusing on Islamic history and philanthropy.

She earned her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Melbourne, with a dissertation on the role of philanthropy in Islamic history in Indonesia. This work was later published as a book titled Faith and the State: A History of Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia by Brill in 2013, which has become an essential reference in the field of Islamic philanthropy.

Additionally, she has been a research fellow at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Harvard Kennedy School, participating in various research programs related to Islam and social development. (Dr. Amelia Fauzia, n.d.)

As an academic, Prof. Amelia Fauzia has held various leadership positions in academic and research institutions. She previously served as the Director of the Social Trust Fund at UIN Jakarta, an institution focused on religious-based social empowerment. In addition to teaching at UIN Jakarta, she actively serves as an Honorary Senior Lecturer at UNSW, Sydney, Australia, where she is involved in research and teaching on contemporary Islam and society.

Prof. Amelia is also a member of various global research networks and frequently participates in international research projects on religion and the state, zakat, waqf, and Islamic social policy.

Some of her key publications include:

• Faith and the State: A History of Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia (Brill, 2013) – a comprehensive study on the history and development of Islamic philanthropy in Indonesia.
• Articles in international journals discussing zakat, waqf, and the role of Islam in social development.
• Books and research reports on the role of religion in social policy and philanthropy in Southeast Asia.

Prof. Amelia Fauzia has received various research grants and awards from national and international institutions, including from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Indonesian government. As an academic actively engaged in Islamic studies and philanthropy, she continues to contribute to academic discourse and public policy discussions on the relationship between religion and social development at both national and global levels.

Throughout its history, the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta has produced numerous scholars and great thinkers who have made significant contributions in various fields. Nurcholish Madjid, for instance, is known as a prominent Islamic thinker who introduced ideas of renewal and pluralism within the context of Islam in Indonesia. Bustami Abdul Gani played a key role in the development of Arabic language and literature studies, shaping generations of academics with a deep understanding of Islamic scholarly traditions.

In the fields of Islamic history and thought, Prof. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim and Dr. Fuad Jabali have enriched academic discourse, particularly in the study of Islamic civilization and political history in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Prof. Amelia Fauzia has become one of the leading scholars in Islamic philanthropy studies, linking religious values with social policiesthat have a broad impact.

Their legacy is proof that FAH UIN Jakarta is not only a place of learning but also a platform  for the emergence of intellectuals and leaders capable of driving change at both nationaland global levels.

With a strong academic foundation in language, literature, history, and culture, the faculty remains committed to producing graduates who excel academically while making tangible contributions to society, the nation, and the world. The legacy of its alumni, who have played vital roles in various fields, continues to inspire future generations.

Author: Rahmat Mubaroq