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81-year-old pluralism advocate from E. Nusa Tenggara wins Maarif Award
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This year’s Maarif Award winner, Abdul Rosyid Wahab (second left), a long-time advocate of tolerance and pluralism from Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, poses alongside members of the judging panel, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Foundation vice chair Clara Joewono (left), Maarif Institute treasurer Suyoto (second right) and Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, after receiving the award in Jakarta on Sunday. The Maarif Award acknowledges individuals and institutions who contribute to promoting tolerance, diversity and social justice. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
he Maarif Insititute for Culture and Humanity granted an award to Abdul Rosyid Wahab, an 81-year-old pluralism advocate from Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, during this year's Maarif awards ceremony in Jakarta on Sunday.
Abdul, aka Abah, was selected out of 30 shortlisted nominees for his long-standing commitment to preserving religious tolerance in Sikka regency, a predominantly Christian region.
His achievements include his roles in moderating tension between Catholics and non-Catholics in 1995 and assisting victims of the Mount Rokatenda eruption. He also founded the Muhammadiyah educational foundation in Maumere, the seat capital of Sikka regency, in which 80 percent of its students were either Catholics or Protestants.
“Hopefully the awards will inspire other leaders to strengthen bonds between civilians, and to empower them as well,” said Maarif Institute executive director M. Abdul Daras, during a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday.
The biennale award was named after the institute’s founder, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, a prominent intellectual and former leader of Muhammadiyah, the country’s second -largest Islamic organization. The awards acknowledge individuals and institutions who contribute to promoting tolerance, diversity and social justice. (dpk/swd)
