Searching for a Rarity

Religious communities and scholars must answer the nation’s calls. This is a nation that longs for a guru bangsa, and it turns its hopes to religious communities and academics. Hopefully, they can answer this call.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO (PRI)

A man walks past a mural of the face of former Indonesian President KH Abdurrahman Wahid or familiarly called Gus Dur on Jalan H Ba'an, Poris Plawad Indah, Tangerang City, Banten, Sunday (16/5/2021). The figure of Gus Dur is famous for his tolerance and pluralism.

The Kompas poll on Monday (11/4/2022) has shined a light on this country’s longing for a guru bangsa (national teacher) who prioritizes the interests of the nation and the state.

Guru bangsa are defined as individuals who have no political ambitions but still prioritize the interests of the nation and the state. During the book discussion several years ago on Mencari Negarawan: 85 Tahun Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif (Seeking statesmen: 85 years of Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif), a speaker said that searching for a statesman was the same as looking for something that did not exist. This applied to not just in Indonesia, but in the world, too.