Who Is Adiwarman Karim, The President Commissioner Of BSI, Who Once Had A Hobby Of Having Fun And Playing Discos In His Youth But Is Now A Ustaz

Adiwarman Karim. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Adiwarman Azwar Karim or commonly called Adiwarman Karim is an Indonesian sharia economist. For those who are involved in economic activities with Islamic principles, it feels obligatory to know this one figure.

Born in Jakarta, June 29, 1963, the sharia economist who also likes to preach is known to be quite straightforward in conveying material. In fact, for some people who have participated in his studies, he does not hesitate to give money to the audience who successfully answers his questions. The strategy is suspected as a way to attract attention.

Before being widely known by the Indonesian public as a religious figure as it is today, Adiwarman's youth turned out to be quite the opposite.

In a literature disclosed if he was dragged into promiscuity. He prefers to have fun and disco rather than study or recite the Koran. Although he was able to pass the high school level well, his likable attitude remained until he sat at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) majoring in socio-economics in 1982.

This makes the value drop. The following year he tried to break free from the negative shackles of useless association by keeping himself busy.

In 1983 Adi decided to transfer to the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia (UI). In 1985, his father died of cancer. The momentum is believed to have strengthened him to change 180 degrees for the better.

Like a tit for tat, the education that was taken went smoothly. Adi even had the opportunity to continue his master's education in finance at Boston University, United States of America through a scholarship he received.

After completing his thesis on Iran's Islamic economics, he traveled to European University, Belgium and earned his MBA in 1988.

His intelligence guides Adi in career success. Prior to obtaining a recommendation from the OJK as the President Commissioner of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk. (BSI) this week, he is a member of the MUI National Sharia Council and the supervisory board of a number of Islamic banking institutions.

Just so you know, Adi obtained a strategic seat in the largest Islamic bank in Indonesia from his long journey in the financial services industry. He was one of the first figures to contribute to the birth and development of Bank Muamalat, the first Islamic banking entity in Indonesia.

In 1998, his career took off and was trusted to lead the Bandung branch of Bank Muamalat. After that, blessings came in succession, namely he was promoted to Deputy Director of the Muamalat Institute until he decided to resign in 2001.

Adi is also listed as the initiator of The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) Indonesia. In August 2001, he founded the sharia business consulting firm Karim Consulting Indonesia, which has spawned several sharia units in a number of banks in Indonesia.