INDONESIA: Gus Dur: The Hero of Humanity

 

INDONESIA: Gus Dur: The Hero of Humanity

 

The fourth president of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid also called Gus Dur, is known as a hero of humanity. He has dedicated his life to defending the rights of minority groups such as the ethnic of Chinese (Tionghoa). This group often gets discriminatory treatment as native Indonesians because of their small number. For instance, in the era of Soeharto presidential (1967–1998) - the Indonesian president before Gus Dur - the government through Presidential Instruction number 14 of 1967, stated that Tionghoa groups could only celebrate religious parties or customs within the family and not standing out in public. This discrimination has sparked ethnicity and religious-based tensions in the society. 

 

When Gus Dur served as president (1999-2001), on January 17, 2000, he revoked a presidential instruction that discriminated against religious freedom for Tionghoa ethnic. After this group received religious liberation in expressing their religion, now these ethnic members are free to worship in public places and are allowed to establish “Klenteng” places of worship in the society. Plus, its original cultures such as Barongsai dance is also allowed to be displayed in open public places and be admitted as part of Indonesian culture. In fact, the religion of the majority of Tionghoa groups “Confucianism” that have been in Indonesia for centuries, due to Gusdur's accommodative policies, it respectfully became one of the official religions of Indonesia in 2000, alongside the five other major official religions. And now since 2003 to honor this religion, the Chinese New Year (Imlek) has become one of the national holidays. The thoughts, spirit of humanity, justice and equality that Gus Dur has struggled with have made him known as the father of tolerance, peace and pluralism. Even though he is blind,  his eyes, mind and heart are always open to spreading mercy for all human beings.

 

Writer: Sabar Prihatin, S.Ag GREAT Vice Chairperson of Board Member, Master Degree Student of Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies, Gajah Mada University Yogyakarta Indonesia