Hawzah News Agency- Titled Syiah Saudara Sekiblat (Shia: Brothers of One Qibla), the work is authored by Mus'ab Muqaddas, a researcher and graduate of Egypt's Al-Azhar University. The cover features a photograph of a congregational prayer held at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Indonesia, bringing together prominent Sunni and Shia figures.
The image captures Hojatoleslam Mohammad Boroujerdi, Iran's Ambassador to Indonesia, Dr. Yahya Jahangiri, the embassy's Cultural Counselor, and Zainul Majdi, a leading Sunni scholar and head of Indonesia's Al-Azhar Alumni Association, standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer.
The prayer took place during Zainul Majdi's visit to the Iranian embassy to offer condolences following the martyrdom of the revered Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei. The photograph was subsequently chosen as the book's cover, representing Islamic convergence and fraternity.
A Scholarly Effort Toward Understanding Shia Islam
Drawing on historical, theological, and political sources, as well as studies on contemporary developments in the Muslim world, the author seeks to present a comprehensive and well-documented picture of Shia Islam.
The book opens with an examination of the term "Shia" in the Holy Quran and traces the formation of various Shia currents, the evolution of Twelver Shia Islam, and its standing in contemporary Iran. The impact of the Islamic Republic of Iran on regional and international developments forms another key focus of the work.
Al-Azhar Scholars' Views on Shia Islam
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the perspectives of some of Al-Azhar's most prominent scholars regarding Shia Islam.
This section reviews the views of Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, former Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr. Shawqi Allam, head of the Imam al-Ash'ari Studies Center Dr. Hassan al-Shafei, and member of Al-Azhar's Council of Senior Scholars Dr. Ali Gomaa, concerning Shia Islam and rapprochement among Islamic schools of thought.
Contemporary Iran and Regional Developments
Another section of the book examines the intellectual and political structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran, addressing subjects including the theological foundations of its political system, scientific and technological advances, military capabilities, potential areas of cooperation between Iran and Indonesia, Iran's nuclear policy, and recent regional developments.
An Author from Indonesia's Sunni Community
Mus'ab Muqaddas is a young activist and cadre of Indonesia's Muhammadiyah organization and a graduate in Islamic History and Civilization from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He has previously been active in Islamic education and research and has taught at a Muhammadiyah teachers' school in Yogyakarta.
The book has been published under the title Syiah Saudara Sekiblat by Media Guru Publications.
Zainul Majdi: An Influential Figure in Indonesia
Zainul Majdi, known in Indonesia by the honorific title "Tuan Guru Bajang," is a prominent religious and political figure. He served two terms as governor of West Nusa Tenggara province, transforming it into one of Indonesia's most successful provinces in terms of economic growth and declining unemployment rates.
He completed his academic studies from bachelor's to doctoral level in Quranic Exegesis and Sciences at Egypt's Al-Azhar University and currently heads Indonesia's Al-Azhar Alumni Association.
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