The Content of Spiritual Values in Gus Dur’s Leadership That Are Unique and Interesting
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Gus Dur — Abdurrahman Wahid — as a spiritual figure, intellectual figure and national leader — is truly unique and interesting to be a role model. His unique thoughts and ideas — far beyond his path — are more interesting to be used as study material and in-depth studies for the next generation who want to have multi-disciplinary science and knowledge and a very complex way of looking at life, but for Gus Dur everything seems to be considered cold and relaxed.
Gus Dur is a religious figure, intellectual, and fighter for human rights to the title of Indonesian pluralism figure which he has proven by providing the rights of minority people — Chinese, Ahmadiyah, Christians and others — by eliminating discrimination and recognizing Chinese New Year as a national holiday. Because, he is also known as a humanist leader because he is more dominant in paying attention to universal human values.
From the various spiritual experiences he has gone through, he also earned the nickname as an intellectual saint who has Karomah, spiritual depth and has a close spiritual relationship with the leading clerics and scholars in Indonesia.
Gus Dur’s Arabic is also fluent, although he never admitted to having studied seriously in Egypt. Because he always twists many things into humor in intelligent and witty expressions. However, it is still full of meaning and has high philosophical value. Many religious and intellectual figures to spirituals recognize Gus Dur as a unique leader: religious but progressive, firm but humorous, a politician but more intelligent and agile in spiritual thinking.
Gus Dur’s leadership values - so that he was able to become the fourth President of Indonesia – many people say are able to combine wisdom, moral courage and universal humanity. And what is more unique, Gus Dur’s leadership was carried out with his heart – not relying more on his intellectual brain – so that he was willing and brave to defend all Indonesian citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background of the person concerned, so that he always created a jolt of thought that is worth contemplating.
Gus Dur’s pluralistic attitude upholds diversity — diversity — as a national treasure that must be maintained together. So that unity in diversity can become a kind of harmonious orchestra and in a beautiful rhythm. That’s how Gus Dur finally occupied the position of President of Indonesia in the period 1999 – 2001 where previously he had been the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board in the period 1984 – 1999.
The grandson of the Founder of NU, Hadratussyaikh Kyai Haji Hasyim Ashari, persistently continued efforts to maintain the teachings of Ahlussunah wal Jama’ah (Aswaja), maintaining the tradition of Islam that is tolerant, moderate and rooted in local culture until now has millions of strong and tenacious followers. And Gus Dur himself as the next generation of his grandfather was more progressive and spectacular in making a far leap forward, so that it really seemed to be beyond his time. The man born in Jombang, September 7, 1940, died on December 30, 2009, recorded as the President of Indonesia who served for a relatively short time — marking a civil revival after the militaristic era of the New Order which was interrupted by President BJ. Habibie during the reformation that occurred in 1998 which continued the leadership of President Soeharto from May 31, 1998 to October 20, 1999.
Gus Dur’s spiritual thoughts and ideas position humans above politics and ideology. Has the ability to unite Sufism with intellectuals and has the courage to go against the current. Pioneer of pluralism and religious freedom. Does not have ambitions for power and has an attitude of spiritual maturity and sincerity in leading. Apart from that, the wealth of spiritual treasures possessed by Gus Dur is humorous and has a broad heart that is almost limitless. Therefore, Gus Dur is able to lead with laughter and love and a light and cool heart.
Banten, May 30, 2025
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