Nurturing the House of Indonesia

This week, KH Ahmad Mustofa Bisri received the Yap Thiam Hien Award for his perseverance in fighting for freedom of religion.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Ahmad Mustofa Bisri

KH Ahmad Mustofa Bisri claims not to comprehend nationalism or human rights. However, his views and attitude toward life are all about maintaining nationalism and respecting human rights. This week, he received the Yap Thiam Hien Award for his perseverance in fighting for freedom of religion.

"Indonesia is a land of tears, happiness turns into sorrow. Indonesia is suddenly humiliated today by the nation’s people. Many people have forgotten, lulled by worldly concerns. A battleground of power struggles, until it all comes to an end..."

The figure at the podium, KH Ahmad Mustofa “Gus Mus” Bisri, 73, sang in a trembling voice. The song, “Indonesia Pusaka” (Indonesian heritage) written by Gus Mus, penetrated the consciousness of the inhabitants of the “House of Indonesia”.

For Gus Mus, nationalism is not something to be understood or to be turned into knowledge, and neither is human rights. "I don\'t know human rights, I don\'t know nationalism. I don\'t know," he said in his acceptance speech upon receiving the Yap Thiam Hien award on Wednesday (24/1) in Jakarta. The award’s jurors selected Gus Mus because of his peaceful approach in the pursuit of religious freedom.

"I just know that the pesantren [Islamic boarding school] and my teachers, who were humble people, taught us that \'Indonesia is your house\', so I protect my house. I don\'t know nationalism," he said.

From his teachers, Gus Mus learned to put his duties ahead of his personal rights.

"So, as I understand it – ‘It is my duty to respect the rights of other people’ – that is human rights," he said. As for the actual rights, they are written in the holy texts.

"My kyai (ulema) said, \'God Himself glorifies human beings, and those sent by God are the most human of human beings\'. The prophets were the most human human beings, who understood and glorified mankind. However, people frequently do not respect themselves as human beings and imitate greedy monkeys, and imitate rats," said Gus Mus.

Measuring oneself

The caretaker of the Raudlatut Thalibin Islamic boarding school in Rembang has upheld the principle of "taking one’s measure" throughout his life. Even though he stands within the Executive Board structure at the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Gus Mus has declined to take up certain positions.

His became active in the NU started after repatriating from a school in Cairo, Egypt. In the election of the NU general chairman for 2004-2009, he refused to be nominated. At the NU\'s 33rd Congress in Jombang, East Java, he was named the Rais Aam, or supreme leader, of the NU Supreme Council (PBNU). However, he declined and the position was entrusted to KH Ma’ruf Amin, who is the acting Rais Aam of the PBNU for the 2015-2020 term.

In the political sphere, Gus Mus’s stance has been clear and consistent. As a member of the Central Java Legislative Council (DPRD) in 1982-1992 and a member of the People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1992-1997, Gus Mus frequently visited the grassroots – not only his constituents – at his own expense. However, the working environment in the legislature frequently clashed with his conscience. He once said, "... the performance and the salary are not balanced. The salary is much greater."

Gus Mus loves humanity and diversity, and is loyal in defending the powerless. His views are evident in his poetry. He has published undreds of poems in five anthologies. Gus Mus is also a prolific painter.

"What about you/You tell me to fear Allah/your religious speeches sicken my soul/You tell me to follow you/your steps have no clear direction...” – excerpt from “What about you or What should I do”.

His defense of the small and powerless is genuine. For example, his pesantren has facilitated several gatherings of the Kendeng community that has been opposing the local establishment of a cement factory since 2014. "They simply want to preserve the environment. The small people care about environmental sustainability, but the ‘big people’ cannot think of this. This does not make sense to me," he said.

Born to a cleric’s family, Gus Mus grew up with the Arabic classics that were translated by his father, KH Bisri Mustofa, an "eccentric" ulema that became a writer. He and his brother, Cholil Bisri, have inherited their father\'s talent.

Figure of peace

Gus Mus as a political figure is an antithesis of the life of the nation and the state today, which is seeing a divisive trend because of the power play of identity politics. In a political environment that frequently uses religion as campaign material, Gus Mus acts otherwise.

The judges of the Yap Thiam Hien award sees Gus Mus as an ulema and Muslim scholar who is able to present a different view and image of religious leaders as someone who is not associated with political interests. Their choosing him as this year’s awardee is inseparable from their recognition that he is a religious figure of peace.

Most of his views are found in his poems. According to him, religion speaks on humanity, justice and law. "There are so many tenets. People either seize or don’t seize the opportunity to study them. Sometimes, people are very enthusiastic about their religion, but they do not take the time to look at their religion. People are passionate, but they do not understand. That can sometimes become a problem," he said.

According to Gus Mus, faith should make someone human. "Differences are God’s will. Rejecting differences is against God, because differences are natural. Those who do not desire differences, ojo urip neng ndonya (don’t live in this world),” he once said.

Gus Mus cares deeply about human rights. However, he does it without shouting, without protest, but through his sermons.

Kompas/Riza Fathoni

Cleric and writer KH Ahmad Mustofa Bisri (also called Gus Mus) receives the Yap Thiam Hien Award 2017 for upholding human rights on Wednesday (24/1) at the National Library in Jakarta.

Ahmad Mustofa Bisri

Born: Rembang, Central Java, Aug. 10, 1944

Wife: Siti Fatwa

Children: Ienas Tsuroiya, Kaustar Uzmut, Raudloh Quds, Rabiatul Bisriah, Nada, Almas, Mochamad Bisri Mustofa.

Education: Madrasah Hidayatul Mubtadiien Lirboyo, Kediri (1958); PGI Krapyak, Yogyakarta (1961); Islam and Arabc Language Department, School of Syariah & Qonuun, Alqismil\'ali, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt (1971); TPI Islamic Boarding School, Rembang (1964)

Career:

Professional: Deputy Director, Madrasah Tsanawiyah Aliyah Raudlatut Thalibin, Rembang; Mualimin & Muallimat Teacher, Rembang (1977); Arabic Language Teacher, Al Hidayah Islamic Boarding School, Lasem, Central Java (1972-1973)

Government: Assistant, Information Department, Indonesian Embassy to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) during haj pilgrimage season, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (1970-1971)

Legislature: Councilor, Central Java Provincial Legislative Council (1982-1992); member, People\'s Consultative Assembly/MPR (1992-1997)

Bibliography (partial): Kimiya-us Saadah (Javanese translation). Surabaya: Assegaf; Asmaul Husna Poetry (Javanese translation). Temanggung: Al-Huda; Awas Manusia (Beware Humans). Collection of children’s stories. 1970; Nyamuk-Nyamuk Perkasa (Mighty Mosquitoes). Collection of children’s stories. Jakarta: Gaya Favorit Press, 1979; Contributions. Humor Magazine. Jakarta, 1995; several paintings.