Professor Siradj served as the Nahdlatul Ulama Chairman from 2010 to the end of 2021. He had previously served on Indonesia’s National Commission for Human Rights and was a strong advocate for minority rights. He has an extensive academic background in the Islamic sciences and regards education as a tool for development. He founded the Said Aqil Centre in Egypt, a study centre that focuses on developing Islamic discourse, particularly in the Arab World. He is involved in various organizations addressing social and religious issues.