Controversy of an Indonesian Citizen Named Tuhan in Today's History, August 24, 2015

A man from Banyuwangi named Tuhan showed off his ID card and driver's license. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA – Ten years ago, today's history, on August 24, 2015, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of East Java asked a Banyuwangi resident named Tuhan (English: God) to change his name. This request was based on ethical grounds: no human being deserves to be named "Tuhan." Tuhan (God) cannot be equated with anything.

Previously, social media was abuzz with the emergence of a carpenter named Tuhan. Tuhan's appearance sparked curiosity. His parents' reasons for naming him "Tuhan" were then questioned.

The philosophy of a name is that it is a prayer that has been accepted by many. A name is sometimes given as a manifestation of hope or good wishes. This is indeed common practice. However, the entire Indonesian people were then excited by the emergence of a carpenter named Tuhan.

Tuhan himself is a carpenter from Krajan Hamlet, Kluncing Village, Licin District, Banyuwangi, East Java. He admitted that there was nothing special about his name. However, the name "Tuhan" has become synonymous with God Almighty Creator. Or in the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI) it is said to be something that humans believe in, revere and worship as Almighty.

The appearance of Tuhan name then became a topic of conversation everywhere. Even though the people around Tuhan's house are normal. Tuhan's name is considered unique when his siblings' names are ordinary, Aisyah, Ainan, Isroti, and Nasiah.

Tuhan himself admitted that many people had suggested changing his name. For example, when he wanted to travel to Bali in the 2000s, he was advised to add a prefix to his name, making it Ali Tuhan. This suggestion was rejected.

Tuhan said he was happy with the name his parents gave him. He also felt that the process of changing his name would be a hassle for him.

"His friends used to tell him to add Ali to his name, making it Ali Tuhan. But it's difficult to change everything. His name is all in his marriage certificate and family card. What else could he do? He didn't change it," said Tuhan's wife, Husnul Hotimah, as quoted by detik.com on August 21, 2015.

This situation reached the East Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) on August 24, 2015. The man from Banyuwangi was immediately asked to change his name, or at least add a prefix to his name. The MUI requested that if Tuhan's name was not changed, the MUI advise the local government not to issue him a KTP (ID card).

The MUI believes that ethically, the name "Tuhan" should not be given to a human being. God is something to be worshipped. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also requested that the issue not be linked to human rights. The MUI believes many people disapprove of someone calling themselves God.

A farm laborer named Tuhan shows his electronic ID card (e-KTP) in Slawu Village, Patrang, Jember, East Java, Wednesday (February 27, 2019). Six people named Tuhan are on the final voter list (DPT) for the 2019 presidential and legislative elections in Jember Regency. (ANTARA PHOTO/Seno/ama)

"People should not be given the name as God. God's name can be used as long as it's preceded by a word like Abdullah. "Illah" means God, but because it's preceded by "Abdu," it becomes a servant of God. "God" is indeed a good name, but it's inappropriate, because it is violating religion. God is a being who is worshipped. No man may be called as God, "

"If you don't want to change it, don't give them an ID card from the population department (local government). If you don't want to add or change it, you don't have an ID card and can't borrow from the bank. Don't talk about human rights like that. God shouldn't be made fun of. God is a belief, so why should there be a name like God?" said the Chairman of the East Java MUI, Abdussomad Bukhori, as quoted on detik.com, August 24, 2015.