Inter-Religious Leaders in Bali Remember Gus Dur

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - A group of inter-religious leaders gathered at Al Ihsan Mosque here Tuesday night to pray for late former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Representing Balinese Hindus in observing the 40th anniversary of the demise of the noted leader whose popular nickname was Gus Dur were Pemangku Anak Agung Rai and Pemangku Anak Agung Oka.

At the prayers, Muslim and Christian communities in the Indonesian island resort of Bali were respectively represented by KH Agus Toha Al Amnan and Priest Jimmy Hendrik.

About 300 people from various religious backgrounds were also present to remember Gus Dur as a pluralist who had attempted to safeguard Indonesia's unity in diversity.

Each religious leader prayed for Wahid in accordance with his faith.

Priest Jimmy Hendrik said the prayers was to be maintained because it was the legacy of Gus Dur whose life was dedicated to protecting all the people in the country.

"Our nation is so pluralistic but the fact that we can be one nation as fought for  by our nation's guru, Gus Dur, is indeed an excellent progress," he said.

Sharing his views, Balinese Hindus leader, Anak Agung Rai, said Gus Dur won the Balinese people's highest respect.

"Through these prayers, we pay our tribute to him," he said.

Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, former president who had once led the Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, passed away on December 30, 2009 at the age of 69.

He was not only respected nationally but also internationally.

In observance of the 40th anniversary of his demise on Sunday, tens of thousands of people flocked the  Tebuireng Islamic boarding school to pay tribute to him.

In Jakarta, an interfaith group of people marked the 40th anniversary of his death with the launching and discussion of a book on the late leader written by Demien Demitra.

The book entitled "Sejuta Doa untuk Gus Dur" (A Million Prayers for Gus Dur) was Demien's second book  on the former president.  His  first book, titled "Sejuta Hati untuk Gus Dur" (A Million Hearts for Gus Dur) was launched on January 8, 2010.

In his second book Demien highlighted Gus Dur's background as a pluralist while the first book chronicled Gus Dur's life since birth.

"Gus Dur was a true pluralist. He remained steadfast in his convictions but was also very tolerant about differences in human life in the fields of religion, culture and gender," he said.(*)