His Excellency Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid
Served as LibForAll Foundation's Patron and Senior Advisor
from our Establishment in 2003 until December of 2009

During his lifetime, Abdurrahman Wahid served as LibForAll's sesepuh (Javanese, for the elder statesmen of a nation, clan or family). In death, he has become our pepunden (Javanese, for a deceased ancestor whose spirit continues to guide and protect his offspring). In continuance of his legacy, Her Excellency Ibu Hajjah Sinta Nuriyah – President Wahid's widow – will serve as LibForAll's patron and senior advisor, as we work to fulfill her husband's vision for the future.

 

Popularly known as Gus Dur, H.E. Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid was Indonesia’s first democratically-elected president and long-time head of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim organization, with nearly 40 million members. He was also the recipient of the 2003 Friends of the United Nations Global Tolerance Award, and of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Medal of Valor.

 


For over thirty years, Gus Dur used his position to advocate religious tolerance, pluralism and democracy. On many occasions, he sent members of his Muslim organization to defend Christian churches and congregations—with their lives, if necessary—from attack by radical Islamists.

 

 

These photographs show a crowd of over 10,000 Indonesian Christians praying for this powerful Muslim leader, who dedicated his life to defending the right of everyone to worship God in his or her own way.

Click here to watch a video clip of this event.  (Flash video for broadband, 4.7 Mb.)

In addressing Muslim audiences, Gus Dur invariably reminded his listeners of their sacred duty to respect others' beliefs, and to avoid any form of discrimination or intolerance towards those who worship differently
from themselves.

 

LibForAll founder, Chairman & CEO Holland Taylor and co-founder/board member Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid roaring with laughter, as they shared a light moment in Wahid’s office. Together, they have helped define LibForAll's strategy.

Click here to read an interview with Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid.

 

 Ibu Sinta

Her Excellency Ibu Hajjah Sinta Nuriyah

 

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