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Who doesn't know Gus Dur? The fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, a charismatic, eccentric, and humorous cleric, also regarded as a national teacher. His avid reading habit earned Gus Dur trust as a highly dedicated Muslim intellectual towards the unity and integrity of the Indonesian nation.
Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, whose given name is Abdurrahman ad-Dakhil, is known for his inclusive and progressive ideas, thus admired by many. Not only by Muslims but also by non-Muslims.
There are many aspects of this phenomenal figure of Gus Dur that we can remember. One of them is his humanistic personality. Because Gus Dur always defended minority groups, the oppressed, and marginalized individuals, tirelessly fighting for justice for all humanity.
Due to his consistent dedication to humanity, Gus Dur was dubbed "The Humanist". It's no wonder that Gus Dur's resting place, marked by a tombstone inscribed with "Here Rests a Humanist" continues to be visited by many.
One characteristic of Gus Dur's thinking that is familiar to us is his desire to always emphasize ethical values as a bridge across various differences. For example, discourses on pluralism and humanism that are often advocated on every occasion. Because for Gus Dur, nurturing and preserving humanistic values are imperative to foster harmony among religious communities. According to Gus Dur, if that harmony is disrupted, it will be very difficult to restore.
Humanism is an attitude that advocates for better social interaction based on humanitarian principles. Islamic humanism, on the other hand, is about seeing humans as humans, regardless of their identities, who should be respected and valued, just as God Himself respects and values them. As for what lies in one's heart or mind, only Allah will judge.
The spirit underlying Gus Dur's humanistic thoughts and attitudes is his "love for fellow human beings". Gus Dur tirelessly emphasized that humanity must have a special place in this life, regardless of ethnicity, language, skin color, or religion. Because in Gus Dur's belief, the God he worships is a God who loves and cares for all creatures.
In order to emulate this divine attribute, Gus Dur provided the best service to all humans regardless of their position, profession, ethnicity, or religion. Certainly, Gus Dur's humanistic stance is based on theological principles of Islam believed to solve all humanitarian problems. The basic principles of Islam referred to are Islam's protection of basic human rights, including the right to life, religion, ownership, descent, and profession.
So, humanism in Gus Dur's view is an effort to elevate the dignity of humans to the highest level before God. This idea stems from the messages Islam brings to humanity, which are to uphold human values and respect for social life. In essence, Gus Dur's humanism serves as a thought used to widely recognize all that is good and just for humans, while also considering the welfare of each individual.
With his humanistic thoughts, Gus Dur actually sought to bridge Islam, humanity, and culture in the national realm with his commitment to the people's welfare. Based on this commitment, a societal-nation interaction with superior culture will be built, a culture that always advocates for truth and justice for all humans regardless of each individual's primordial differences.
This is the essence of Gus Dur's humanistic teachings, a teaching that places humanity as the main spirit and starting point of his struggle. Gus Dur has bequeathed national and humanitarian values to all of us. These values not only elevate his name but also immortalize him far beyond his lifespan and the limitations of his time. It is not exaggerated to say that Gus Dur's humanistic thinking is always relevant wherever and whenever.
For these reasons, it is not uncommon for many to refer to him as "Gus Dur the Humanist", as he has provided invaluable examples for the betterment of us all. Based on this, our current task is to nurture and continue his struggle.
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