Quraish Shihab is an Indonesian expert on Qur’anic exegesis who regularly preaches on national television. He is noted as a progressive scholar who teaches Qur’anic exegesis using context and simple language. He is an author of many Islamic books, including Tafsir Al-Misbah. He served as Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs in 1998 and also as Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council since 1984. Shihab was also a director of State Islamic University, Syarif Hidayatullah, 1992-1998. He is a co-founder and active member of the Muslim Council of Elders, working towards world peace. He was awarded a medal for his achievements by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in 2020.