Unity Through Compassion: Insights into Gus Dur’s Humanitarian Islam by Prof. Greg Barton
Cirebon, July 07, 2025 — the International Office and Centre of Islamic Law and Ethics of Mubadalah (CILEM) of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) successfully hosted an international seminar entitled “Gus Dur & the Discourse of Humanitarian Islam” on Monday afternoon in the Siber Building. Delivered by distinguished scholar Prof. Greg Barton, the session explored Abdurrahman Wahid’s (Gus Dur’s) enduring legacy as the quintessential insan kamil, the perfected human whose moral, intellectual, and spiritual leadership continues to inspire both domestic and international audiences.
Prof. Greg Barton opened by tracing Gus Dur’s role in forging Islam Nusantara, a locally rooted but universally minded expression of Islam. “To honor humanity is to honor its Creator; to demean and defile humanity is to demean and defile its Creator,” he reminded the participants, underscoring Gus Dur’s belief that human dignity mirrors divine glory.
He then detailed Gus Dur’s unique synthesis of classical Islamic scholarship (kitab kuning), Javanese cultural traditions like wayang kulit, and modern thought from Chinese technological studies to Western philosophy by Plato, Marx, and Lenin. According to Prof. Greg Barton, these eclectic influences shaped Gus Dur’s inclusive leadership, which advanced minority rights, lifted restrictions on Lunar New Year celebrations, and steered Indonesia through its democratic transition until 2001.
Prof. Greg Barton emphasized Gus Dur’s unwavering commitment to solidarity in action, recalling the leader’s belief that “if you can do good for everyone, no one will ask what your religion is.” He illustrated how Gus Dur’s hands‑on compassion led him to walk alongside marginalized communities whether rural villagers, religious minorities, or the urban poor without ever remaining an impartial observer. By embedding himself in their daily struggles, Gus Dur demonstrated that true faith must translate into tangible support for all, dissolving barriers of creed, ethnicity, and social status. This ethic of universal care, Prof. Greg Barton argued, remains a powerful antidote to modern tendencies toward exclusion and indifference.
In addressing gender equality, Prof. Greg Barton noted that Gus Dur broke new ground by advocating for women’s full participation in politics, education, and public life long before it became widespread discourse in Indonesia. He championed policies and convoked dialogues that not only recognized women’s rights but also entrusted them with leadership roles across sectors. Turning to contemporary relevance, Prof. Greg Barton urged today’s youth to draw on these same principles when confronting the twin threats of disinformation and global capitalism, as well as the pervasive reach of digital surveillance. By upholding justice, empathy, and a spirit of continuous learning, he concluded, a new generation can honor Gus Dur’s legacy and forge more inclusive, humane societies.
In closing, Prof. Greg Barton outlined several actionable recommendations to advance Gus Dur’s humanitarian legacy. He urged the integration of Gus Dur’s philosophy into educational curricula at every level, nurturing values of compassion, solidarity, and justice from an early age. He also called for strengthening the KUPI movement’s platforms both at home and abroad to disseminate Islam Nusantara’s principles of inclusive, humanistic Islam. Equally important, Prof. Greg Barton emphasized empowering youth leaders with Gus Dur’s ideals, equipping them to champion social justice and community solidarity in their own spheres.
Furthermore, Prof. Greg Barton highlighted the imperative of expanding opportunities for women’s leadership across all sectors such as political, educational, and corporate affirming that genuine societal progress depends on gender-inclusive governance. He concluded by urging academic institutions to foster rigorous research on Islam Nusantara, elevating it as a global model of moderate, humanistic Islam. By pursuing these steps, Prof. Greg Barton affirmed, Gus Dur’s ethos can continue to inspire more equitable, empathetic, and resilient communities.
Authors : Mitsni Uswatun Hasanah, Wulan Putri Islami.