🌟 Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur): An Indonesian Luminary
Abdurrahman Wahid, affectionately known as Gus Dur, was born on September 7, 1940, in Jombang, East Java, Indonesia. He was an influential Islamic thinker, writer, and politician who served as the 4th President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001. His tenure as president and his lifelong work significantly shaped contemporary Indonesian society and Islamic discourse.
Etymology
Name:
- “Abdurrahman”: Arabic origin, meaning “Servant of the Merciful.”
- “Wahid”: Arabic, meaning “One” or “Unique.”
Background and Contributions
Early Life:
- Born into a prominent family of religious scholars.
- Educated at various pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) and eventually studied in Cairo and Baghdad.
Major Contributions:
- Chair of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) (1984-1999): Wahid led NU, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the world, positioning it as a force for moderate Islam and social reform.
- President of Indonesia (1999-2001): Promoted religious pluralism and worked towards democratizing Indonesian society.
Historical Context and Dates
- 1940: Birth of Abdurrahman Wahid in Jombang, East Java.
- 1984-1999: Served as Chair of Nahdlatul Ulama.
- 1999: Elected President of Indonesia.
- 2000: Replaced by parliamentary vote in 2001.
Cultural Impact and Contributions
Educational Reforms:
- Promoted the role of pesantren in developing rural communities and fostering democratic values at grassroots levels.
Religious Pluralism:
- Advocated for a reinterpretation of the Quran and Sunnah to support contemporary concepts like human rights, social justice, and democracy.
- Opposed both the secularization of the state and Islamic fundamentalism.
Quotes
“Religious pluralism is not a concept from the West but directly derived from the deeper understanding of Islam.” - Abdurrahman Wahid
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Synonyms: Gus Dur
- Related Terms: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), pesantren, pluralism, democracy, reformist Islam
- Antonyms: Fundamentalism, authoritarianism, secularism (in opposition to how Wahid contextualized it with Islam)
Exciting Facts
- Gus Dur was a part of the historic changes post-Suharto era, becoming Indonesia’s first democratically elected president through the People’s Consultative Assembly.
Suggested Literature and Sources
- “The Illusion of an Islamic State” by Abdurrahman Wahid
- “Toward a Democratic Indonesia” by Greg Barton
- “Indonesia: The Long Road to Democracy” by Taufik Abdullah
- Online archives of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization
Translations
- Arabic: عبد الرحمن وحيد
- Indonesian: Abdurrahman Wahid
- Persian: عبدالرحمان وحید
- Urdu: عبدالرحمان واحد
- Bengali: আব্দুর রহমান ওয়াহিদ
### What year was Abdurrahman Wahid born?
- [ ] 1930
- [ ] 1950
- [x] 1940
- [ ] 1970
> **Explanation:** Abdurrahman Wahid, often regarded as Gus Dur, was born in 1940 in Jombang, East Java.
### Wahid served as the chair of which influential Islamic organization from 1984 to 1999?
- [ ] Muhammadiyah
- [x] Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
- [ ] PERSIS
- [ ] FPI
> **Explanation:** Wahid served as the chair of Nahdlatul Ulama, one of the largest Islamic organizations, advocating for moderate Islam.
### As a president, Gus Dur was…
- [ ] A ruler for life.
- [ ] Elected by the army.
- [ ] Appointed by an international council.
- [x] Elected via parliamentary vote.
> **Explanation:** Gus Dur was elected President of Indonesia in 1999 through the People's Consultative Assembly.
### What was one of Wahid's core beliefs regarding Islam and state relations?
- [ ] Islam must dominate state affairs.
- [ ] Complete separation of state and religion.
- [x] Neither Islam nor any other religion should confront the state or other religions.
- [ ] The state should control religious institutions.
> **Explanation:** Wahid believed that religion should not be in confrontation with the state or other religions.
### Gus Dur promoted the educational role of what type of institutions?
- [ ] Modern universities
- [x] Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools)
- [ ] International schools
- [ ] Technical colleges
> **Explanation:** Gus Dur supported the role of pesantren in societal and democratic development at the grassroots level.
### What significant international principle did Wahid uphold that is inherent in Islam?
- [ ] Economic supremacy
- [x] Human rights
- [ ] Military conquest
- [ ] Cultural imperialism
> **Explanation:** Wahid argued that principles such as human rights, social justice, and democracy are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings.
### Which sect's claims did Wahid openly oppose?
- [ ] Sunni
- [ ] Shia
- [x] Fundamentalism
- [ ] Sufism
> **Explanation:** Wahid opposed Islamic fundamentalism’s claims to being superior and presenting a comprehensive way of life that counters existing secular regimes.
### What was Wahid's perspective towards reinterpretation of the Quran and Sunnah?
- [ ] Should be forbidden to maintain tradition.
- [ ] Done only by special clerics.
- [x] To support modern values of justice and democracy.
- [ ] Reinterpreted annually.
> **Explanation:** Wahid believed in the reinterpretation of the Quran and Sunnah to align with modern values like human rights, social justice, and democracy.
Hope you found this enlightening dive into the life and work of Abdurrahman Wahid. May his legacy inspire a path of tolerance, justice, and democratic values.
Warm regards, Fatimah Qamar 2023-10-03
