Yerica Lai

The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Ahmad Syafii Maarif, an icon of pluralism and an intellectual force of nature for a generation of progressive Muslims in the world’s largest Muslim-majority democracy, died on Friday at Muhammadiyah Hospital in Sleman, Yogyakarta, just four days shy of his 87th birthday.

Known affectionately as Buya, he was among the first generation of “neo-modernist” Muslims who helped shape the trajectory of Islam and democracy in Indonesia alongside other towering Muslim figures, such as Nurcholis “Cak Nur” Majid and Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, who died in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

His passing, which comes at a time when the culturally diverse country is grappling with the rise of identity politics that thrives on and foments religious extremism, has created a void in the public discourse for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“I feel a great loss. For me, he was a very supportive figure. He was also my best friend,” Catholic scholar and Jesuit priest Franz Magnis-Suseno told The Jakarta Post in a statement.

“I see him as a Muslim who made me understand Islam, a Muslim who was open to others, who showed that a deep sense of religiosity can go together with deep sense of nationalism.

“He was a person who was very happy that he was Indonesian, and a person who was very open to [his] brothers and sisters of other religions,” said the social scientist. 

“In him, we see how a person can be one hundred percent rooted in his religion but is open to all. And of course, his passing now at the age of 86 has created a void in Indonesia,” said Magnis-Suseno.

Syafii became general chairman of Muhammadiyah, the nation’s second largest Islamic organization known for its modernist stance, shortly after the downfall of Soeharto in 1998. He led the influential group until 2005, after which he focused more on communicating his ideas through the Maarif Institute, a leading advocate for pluralism in the country.

Three years later in 2008, he was bestowed the prestigious Magsaysay Award for his work in advocating democracy, human rights and religious moderation, cementing his stature as a beacon of pluralism for Indonesians of all faiths.

A prolific writer, Syafii published several books containing his reflections and ideas about Islam and nationhood, including Politik Identitas dan Masa Depan Pluralisme Kita (Identity politics and the future of our pluralism) published in 2010 by the nonprofit Yayasan Wakaf Paramadina.

President Joko Widodo paid tribute to the Muslim scholar on Friday afternoon at Kauman Grand Mosque in Yogyakarta. The President, who had the chance to visit Syafii at Muhammadiyah Hospital where he was being treated for breathing difficulties, called Syafii “teacher of the nation”.

“On behalf of the Indonesian government and people, I convey my condolences on the passing of Buya Syafii. I pray all his deeds are accepted by Allah, his mistakes forgiven and his family given patience and strength,” said the President.

Former vice president Jusuf Kalla, who now chairs the Indonesian Mosque Council, called Syafii a “teacher, a statesman, and a patron”.

“He rendered many services to Muhammadiyah and all Indonesians, we therefore pray that he is given the highest place at the side of God Almighty,” he said.

Maarif Institute executive director Abdul Rahim Ghozali said that Syafii saw Indonesia as an “unfinished” nation that was constantly tested by conflicts. “That is why, according to Buya, this nation always needs to be taken care of.”

Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said in a statement that the nation had lost one of its “role models” with the passing of Syafii and that those inspired by him would continue his “fighting spirit to build Indonesia”.

Alissa “Wahid” Qotrunnada Munawaroh, the national coordinator of the Gusdurian network and one of the daughters of former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, tweeted: “I testify that Buya is a man of pure heart, a clear conscience, who has done everything for the ummah [community] and the nation. The nation has lost a pearl.

“Every time I feel stuck [about] the nation’s situation, I seek help from Buya Maarif’s advice.”

Syafii was born on May 31, 1935 in Sumpur Kudus, West Sumatra. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Yogyakarta Teacher Training and Pedagogy Institute (now the State University of Yogyakarta) before he headed to the United States, where he earned a master at Ohio University and a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago.

Buya was laid to rest on Friday at Husnul Khotimah Donomulyo Cemetery in Nanggulan, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. (ahw/dre)