Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid

Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as “Gus Dur,” served as the 4th President of Indonesia. He was also a Muslim scholar and social activist. 

In 1999, Gus Dur became the country’s first democratically elected leader after the Suharto regime fell. During his presidency, he advocated for pluralism, democracy, and social justice. He was known for his inclusive approach to governance and his efforts to bridge religious and ethnic divides in Indonesian society.

As a Muslim scholar and leader, he promoted a progressive interpretation of Islam. He was a vocal critic of extremism and religious intolerance and advocated for a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of Islam.

Gus Dur’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights left a lasting legacy in Indonesian politics, inspiring future generations of leaders committed to promoting peace and democracy.

Rossa

Rossa Roslaina Sri Handayani, known simply as Rossa, is an Indonesian singer. Born in Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia, she began her music career at a young age and achieved popularity in the late 1990s.

After her debut album “Nada-Nada Cinta” dropped in 1996, Rossa gained widespread recognition. She became known for her soulful voice and emotional delivery which resonated with audiences, leading to several hit singles and a rapidly growing fan base. Since then, Rossa has had countless successful albums and singles, solidifying her as one of Indonesia’s most beloved singers.

While her music may not explicitly address religious themes, her success and influence have helped promote a positive image of Muslims in Indonesia and beyond. She has served as a role model for young Muslim women pursuing careers in the arts and has demonstrated that faith and artistic expression can coexist harmoniously.

Dariga Nazarbayeva

Dariga Nazarbayeva is a prominent Kazakh politician, cultural figure, and philanthropist. She is the eldest daughter of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the first President of Kazakhstan. She graduated from Moscow State University and later earned a PhD in political science from the Russian Academy of State Service.

In her political career, Nazarbayeva has held several government positions, including serving as a member of the Kazakh Parliament and as Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. She has been actively involved in promoting social and cultural development in Kazakhstan, advocating for women’s rights, education, and healthcare.

Additionally, she founded and chaired several media companies, including the Kazakhstan TV channel and the Caravan newspaper, which helped shape public discourse and promoted cultural exchange in the country.

Her leadership roles and advocacy for social and cultural development have contributed to the advancement of Muslim communities in Kazakhstan and the promotion of Islamic values such as compassion, social justice, and tolerance.

Abai Qunanbayuli

Abai Qunanbayuli was a prominent Kazakh poet, philosopher, and cultural figure who lived during the 19th century. He was a descendant of a noble Kazakh family. His contributions to Kazakh literature played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural identity and promoted education, enlightenment, and social progress.

Qunanbayuli’s poetry is characterized by its insights into human nature, love, and the beauty of the Kazakh landscape. His works, which were written in both Kazakh and Persian, continue to be studied and celebrated for their literary merit and cultural significance.

In addition to his poetry, Qunanbayuli was also a philosopher and thinker who explored complex philosophical and moral questions. He emphasized the importance of education, self-improvement, and moral integrity, advocating for the intellectual and spiritual development of the Kazakh people.

Ulugh Beg

Mīrzā Muhammad Tāraghay bin Shāhrukh, known as Ulugh Beg, was a prominent astronomer, mathematician, and ruler of the Timurid Empire during the 15th century.

Ulugh Beg is best known for his contributions to astronomy and mathematics. He built an observatory in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where he conducted groundbreaking research and produced astronomical tables. These tables, such as the “Zij-i Sultani,” were star catalogs with precisely measured positions of celestial bodies and were used for centuries by astronomers around the world. 

His astronomical observations and calculations were among the most accurate of his time. Ulugh Beg’s work also helped to establish Samarkand as a center of scientific and intellectual activity during the Timurid era.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is a British singer, songwriter, and model of Kosovar Albanian descent, born on August 22, 1995, in London, England. While she herself is not a Muslim, her parents are of Kosovar Albanian Muslim heritage.

Lipa began her music career by posting covers of songs on YouTube and gained attention for her unique voice and style. In 2017, Lipa released her self-titled debut album, which featured hits like “New Rules” and “IDGAF.” The album received critical acclaim and established Lipa as a rising star in the music industry. She won several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Dance Recording.

Lipa’s success as a prominent figure of Kosovar Albanian heritage in the global entertainment industry serves as a source of inspiration and pride for many Muslims, particularly those from Kosovo and the Balkans. She has also used her platform to raise awareness of social and political issues, including advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants, which may resonate with Muslim communities around the world.

Kulyash Baiseitova

Kulyash Baiseitova was a renowned Kazakh singer and honored artist of Kazakhstan, born on December 12, 1924, in the village of Tashkumyr, Kazakhstan. She is celebrated for her significant contributions to Kazakh music and culture, particularly in the realm of traditional Kazakh music and Islamic heritage.

Throughout her career, Baiseitova performed and popularized traditional Kazakh songs, including qaraqat, zhyr, and kuis, showcasing the richness and diversity of Kazakh musical traditions. She was known for her ability to evoke the spirit and essence of Kazakh culture through her music, capturing the hearts of audiences both in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Baiseitova’s impact on Muslim history is evident in her preservation and promotion of Islamic heritage through her music. Many of her songs were inspired by Islamic themes, including devotion, spirituality, and love for the Divine. Through her performances, she helped preserve and propagate the cultural and religious heritage of the Kazakh Muslim community, contributing to the continuity and vitality of Islamic traditions in Kazakhstan.

Hamdija Kreševljaković

Hamdija Kreševljaković was a prominent Bosnian Muslim historian and academic born on September 14, 1888, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Throughout his career, Kreševljaković wrote over 300 scientific papers on the history of the Scientific Society of BiH. 

Kreševljaković’s impact on Muslim history lies in his role as a leading intellectual figure in Bosnia during the early 20th century. He played a significant role in shaping the intellectual discourse of his time. His writings continue to be studied and appreciated for their insights into Islamic and cultural history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab is a Pakistani singer, composer, and musician. Aftab was born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents, but later moved to Pakistan and then the United States to pursue her musical career further.

Her career began with studying Eastern classical music, particularly the ghazal, thumri, and khyal. Aftab’s music meshes several genres seamlessly, incorporating classical Pakistani and Sufi music with influences from jazz, folk, and electronic music.

In 2021, Aftab gained widespread recognition with her album “Vulture Prince” which received critical acclaim and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance for her song “Mohabbat.” 

Aftab represents a new generation of Muslim artists who are redefining traditional musical boundaries and reclaiming cultural heritage in the global music scene. She is breaking stereotypes and showcasing the richness and diversity of Muslim musical traditions on the world stage.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as the “King of Bollywood,” is one of India’s most iconic actors, producers, and philanthropists. Khan was born in New Delhi to a Muslim family of Pathan descent.

His acting career began in the late 1980s with appearances in television series and made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with the film “Deewana.” However, it was his breakthrough role in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (1995) that catapulted him to superstardom. 

Khan serves as a prominent figure who has broken barriers and shattered stereotypes in the Indian film industry. He is one of the most successful and influential Muslim actors in Bollywood. 

In 2013, Khan founded The Meer Foundation, a non-profit organization named after his father, Mir Taj Mohammed Khan. It focuses on several humanitarian causes: support for acid attack survivors, women’s empowerment programs, healthcare initiatives, child welfare programs, and disaster relief efforts.

Amir Khusrow

Amir Khusrow, also known as Abu’l Hasan Yamīn ud-Dīn Khusrau (1253-1325), was a Persian poet, scholar, and musician from Patiyali, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.

His literary contributions include ghazals, masnavis, and qawwalis. Khusrow is also credited with inventing the sitar.

Khusrow served several rulers, particularly during the reigns of Sultan Balban and his successors, as a court poet but also in administrative and military roles. He played a large part in developing early Urdu literature and the fusion of Persian and Indian musical traditions. His music and work is still sung and celebrated widely across the Indian subcontinent.