Yenny Wahid Reveals a Side of Gus Dur that is Rarely Told: Respecting Women Since at Home

The daughter of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh (Yenny Wahid) in the 16th Haul of Gus Dur ANTARA/HO-Barikade Gus Dur

SURABAYA - The daughter of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh (Yenny Wahid), emphasized that her father was not only special in protecting minorities and religious differences, but also a figure who respected women.

This was conveyed by Yenny during the 16th Gus Dur Haul and thanksgiving for the acceptance of the National Hero title from the State at Taman Bungkul, Surabaya, East Java, Thursday, December 18.

"Many other religious groups (non-Muslims) feel protected by Mr. who respects differences, but Gus Dur also has another privilege, namely respecting women," he said, quoted by Antara Friday, December 19.

In the haul held by the East Java Gus Dur Kader Line (Barikade), Yenny Wahid explained that Gus Dur was indeed a figure who appreciated differences in any form with the reason that God created humans that no one was the same, even twins were still different in behavior. Gus Dur understood it very well.

"Gus Dur said that the 8 billion people on earth are not the same, not only religion or tribe, but even fingerprints are not the same, because God does not see humans physically, but sees from the side of piety, so we are hostile to differences," said the director of the "Wahid Institute".

In fact, Gus Dur also often said that if God wanted all humans to be one religion, it would be very easy, but God is not like that, because the beauty is in the difference.

"The colorful flowers are beautiful, right?" he said.

In that context, Gus Dur never discriminated against women, even respected them.

"Mom told me that when I was a baby, my father picked me up to be brought to my mother to be breastfed, my father also washed my diapers, washed the dishes. My father didn't see men and women, but who benefited from life. My father also helped my mother sell peanuts," he said.

Regarding respect for minority groups, Yenny Wahid assessed that Gus Dur, while being president, also paid attention to wong cilik (little people), so Gus Dur also raised the salaries of low-ranking employees, such as the post-war who fought for their salaries to rise.

"That is the example of the Father, because this Haul is not just expecting blessings from the ulama, but also emulating the Father who may have three important examples, namely respecting differences, respecting women, and respecting children. Yes, the important thing in life is to live for the benefit. Khoirunnas Anfauhum linnas," he said.

On that occasion, the Assistant General Administration of the East Java Regional Secretary, H. Akhmad Jazuli, who represented the East Java Governor Khofifah, assessed that the title of National Hero for Gus Dur might be just before the 16th haul, but in essence Gus Dur has long been a "hero" for the people who feel very protected and appreciated.

This was confirmed by Pdt Simon Filantropa (GKI) who felt Gus Dur was "my hero", so every December there is always a sense of joy and sadness. "Happy because Christmas is on December 25, but sad too, because Gus Dur died on December 30," he said.

In the haul, which was also attended by Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Dr. Lia Istifhama and Deputy General Chairperson of the DPP Barikade GD Sudarsono Rahman (Cak Dar), Pdt Simon quoted two Gus Dur phrases that he remembered, namely "Peace Without Justice is an Illusion" and "Democracy Can Happen When Minority Rights are Guaranteed".