Ma'ruf Amin
Who was Ma'ruf Amin?
Thirteenth Vice President of Indonesia since 2019 and prominent Islamic scholar who previously served as chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ma'ruf Amin (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ma'ruf Amin, born on March 11, 1943, in Kresek, Indonesia, is one of the country's key Islamic scholars and political figures. He studied at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School and later at Ibn Khaldun Bogor University and Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim. This mix of traditional and modern education influenced his work in religious scholarship and public service. Over his career, Amin has taken on roles as an economist, religious leader, politician, ulema, and university teacher, making him a unique figure in Indonesia.
Amin became well-known nationally through his work with Indonesia's Islamic organizations. He was the General Leader (rais 'aam syuriah) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the world's largest Islamic organization, where he influenced moderate Islamic discourse in the country. His role as chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, or MUI) strengthened his authority as a religious leader. In these positions, he promoted moderate Islamic interpretations and worked on interfaith dialogue.
A key moment in Amin's political journey was when President Joko Widodo chose him as a running mate for the 2019 presidential election. At 77, he became the oldest vice president of Indonesia, serving from 2019 to 2024. His selection was strategic for Widodo, helping to gain support from Islamic groups and showing the administration's commitment to religious values. After his candidacy, Amin stepped down from his role at Nahdlatul Ulama to focus on his vice-presidential duties.
Throughout his notable career, Amin has been honored several times for his contributions to Indonesia. His awards include an honorary degree in 2017, the Star of the Upholder of Democracy (2019), Star of Humanities (2019), Cultural Merit Star (2019), Bintang Jasa Utama (2019), Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana (2014), Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna (2019), and the Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 2nd class (2019). He has been married to both Wury Estu Handayani and Siti Churiyah, managing his personal and public responsibilities. His career blends religious scholarship, academic work, and political leadership in modern Indonesia.
Before Fame
Growing up in Kresek during the 1940s and 1950s, Ma'ruf Amin saw Indonesia change from colonial rule to independence and the early years of building a new nation. His education at Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, one of Indonesia's most respected pesantren, gave him a strong foundation in Islamic jurisprudence and theology during a time when the country was defining itself as the world's largest Muslim-majority democracy.
Amin's rise was influenced by Indonesia's mix of Islamic tradition and modern governance. His studies at Ibn Khaldun Bogor University and later at Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim showed the merging of Islamic scholarship with current academic fields. This education helped him handle the complicated relationship between religious authority and secular governance in Indonesian politics.
Key Achievements
- Served as 13th Vice President of Indonesia from 2019 to 2024
- Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), the nation's top Islamic authority
- General Leader (rais 'aam syuriah) of Nahdlatul Ulama, the world's largest Islamic organization
- Received multiple state honors including Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna and Star of the Republic of Indonesia
- Bridged traditional Islamic scholarship with modern political leadership in Indonesian governance
Did You Know?
- 01.At nearly 77 years old when inaugurated, he became the oldest Indonesian vice president in history
- 02.He resigned from leading Nahdlatul Ulama, the world's largest Islamic organization, to accept the vice-presidential nomination
- 03.His educational journey spanned both traditional Islamic boarding schools and modern universities
- 04.He served as chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council while maintaining his role as a university lecturer
- 05.His vice presidency marked the first time an Islamic scholar of his stature held such high political office in Indonesia
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| honorary degree | 2017 | — |
| Star of the Upholder of Democracy | 2019 | — |
| Star of Humanities | 2019 | — |
| Cultural Merit Star | 2019 | — |
| Bintang Jasa Utama | 2019 | — |
| Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana | 2014 | — |
| Bintang Mahaputera Adipurna | 2019 | — |
| Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 2nd class | 2019 | — |