Muhamad Rofiq is currently pursuing his study in the doctoral program in Religious Studies at Arizona State University focusing on Islamic political thoughts.

His dissertation proposal will discuss the idea emerging during Arab Spring. He would like to examine the opinion of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwi, an Egyptian-born clergy and chairman of International Union of Muslim Scholars, on the practice of dictatorship in the Arab world with specific reference to Egyptian case and his discourse of the overthrow of the ruler. Furthermore, his study will compare Qaradawi’s views with classical Islamic school of thought and contemporary ‘ulamā of al-Azhar who promotes stability over resistance toward oppressive leaders. He believes that Al-Qaraḍāwi’s view is quite relevant for further studies not only due to his involvement in the Arab Spring and his tendencies toward the issue (in compare to other clergies), but also his great influence in the Islamic world.

He pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Al-Azhar University of Egypt in 2008. He obtained his Master’s degree in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2011.

Upon the completion of his Ph.D program, he plans to improve the curriculum in Islamic studies in his current home institution, the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta and to bring a new perspective to Muhammadiyah through his position as a member of ‘ulama council (Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid) of Muhammadiyah.