Gus Dur Calls Muslim It Is Not Prohibited To Celebrate Christmas In The History Of Today, December 20, 2003

President Gus Dur filled out the Seminar on Islamic Influence on Javanese Culture and on the contrary at the Indonesian National Library, October 31, 2000. (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA - History today, 19 years ago, December 20, 2003, the 4th President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid revealed that Muslims are not prohibited from celebrating Christmas. He revealed the statement in an article written in Jerusalem, Israel entitled Harlah, Christmas, Maulid.

Gus Dur's view above is a form of criticality of the debate that often distinguishes Christmas and Maulid Day. In fact, both of them chose a common thread: the birthday. Therefore, Muslims are not prohibited from celebrating Christmas, as long as it is believed it is the birthday of the Prophet of Allah, Prophet Isa.

Pluralism is a fixed price for Indonesia. Gus Dur often echoed this message during his lifetime. The understanding that respects differences is considered the main key in building Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia itself is a diverse ethnic and religious group.

Muslims should not feel superior because of the majority religion. Vice versa. It is this pluralist 'gun' that can then be used to develop Indonesia's dream to become a great nation. Because, with mutual respect for peace and progress can be created.

Gus Dur never resigned with his attitude regarding religious tolerance. He even dared to be different from the opinions of most scholars, including regarding Christmas greetings. Gus Dur actually dared to reveal his Christmas greetings to his Christian colleagues.

In fact, he says that every year he is never absent. He has his own reasons for that. This closeness made Gus Dur have good relations with various leaders of other religions until the end of his life.

"In the midst of a sad illness, on December 25, 2009, as usual Gus Dur still took the time to call to wish Father Cardinal and his colleagues a Merry Christmas and New Year, as well as convey greetings to Father Cardinal and other colleagues," said Benny Susetyo in the book Damai with Gus Dur (2010).

Gus Dur's courage to say Merry Christmas actually has a specific reason. He even wrote his thoughts in Jerusalem on December 20, 2003. The article was entitled Harlah, Christmas, Maulid. According to him, the matter of Christmas has been mentioned in the Koran. Christmas is referred to as the birthday (day of birth).

Then, Gus Dur gave an example of one of the runs of the word of Allah in the surah Al-Saham which mentioned the peace of myself on the day of my birth. According to Gus Dur, the affirmation refers to the words of Prophet Isa. For that, Gus Dur does not have a problem if Muslims celebrate Christmas, provided that the birthday is believed to be the birthday of Prophet Isa.

That then the Prophet Jesus was made son of God by Christians, is something else, which does not reduce the meaning of Jesus' words. This means that Christmas is recognized by the holy book of the Koran, as well as the appointment of the day of his birth, which must be respected by Muslims too.

That the birthday should indeed be celebrated in a different form, or in the same form but with a different meaning, is something that does not need to be questioned. If the writer celebrates Christmas, it is a tribute to him in the sense that the writer believes, as the Prophet Allah SWT," said Gus Dur in the article Harlah, Christmas, Maulid as quoted on the page nu.or.id.