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In memory of Gus Dur, family, followers call for peaceful Islam and tolerance
Leading Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cleric Mustofa Bisri, popularly known as Gus Mus, called on hard-line Muslims to end the persecution against minority groups.
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Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Mustofa Bisri calls on all religious leaders to deliver peaceful sermons during the 10th commemoration of the death of prominent cleric and former president Abdurrahman Wahid in Ciganjur, South Jakarta on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. (JP/Tri Indah Oktavianti)
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n the 10th commemoration of the passing of former president and prominent Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cleric Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, family and followers have called on people to follow the path of the cleric, who in his lifetime promoted tolerance and peaceful teaching of Islam.
Hundreds of people came to Al Munawarah mosque in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, on Saturday to commemorate his death, which was on Dec. 30, 2009. During a discussion at the event, members of Gus Dur’s family and NU clerics shared his memories and philosophy of pluralism and tolerance.
“Father [Gus Dur] always suggested that I listen to dangdut music in order to understand Indonesian society. For him, dangdut was more than just art, it was a portrayal of people’s daily struggles” said Inaya Wahid, the youngest daughter of the late president. “Culture provides space for criticism, not only of others, but also of ourselves.”
In recent years, the country has experienced growing intolerance against religious minorities and a rise in Islamic conservatism.
Christians in Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, were prevented from celebrating Christmas after local administration officials barred them from doing so.
In Jambi, several churches were sealed by local authorities, preventing Christians from having a joyful Christmas celebration this year.
In May, more than 6,000 Hindus in Bekasi regency had to travel miles to neighboring Bekasi municipality to pray at Agung Tirta Bhuana Temple, the only available temple in the region. Their access to pray was barred by dozens of people who rallied against the construction of a Hindu temple in the regency of Bekasi.
