A Short Visit to Gus Dur’s House

Gus Dur or Dr. KH. Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesia's fourth president who is very popular for his intelligence and humility in uniting Indonesian people through the values of community life, is an inspiring national figure.

On May 15, 2019, the writer had a chance to go to Jakarta and visited Gus Dur’s house on the street of Amir Hamzah Park. This old house is influenced by Dutch architecture. The house, according to Pak Hasyim, one of the house guard belonged to Gus Dur's father, KH. Abdul Wahid Hasyim. It could be said that it is Gus Dur's childhood home that keeps many memories and stories of Gus Dur’s struggle.

"The young Gus Dur grew up here and it became a house of learning, discussions and place to formulate state policies during Wahid Hasyim worked as the minister of religion. It has been a house of learning since Gus Dur was still young," Pak Hasyim said. The beautiful house is decorated with shady trees that makes everyone who visits it feels comfortable. Now, it becomes the office of several foundations managed by Gus Dur's family, especially his four daughters with opening hours at 09.00 WIB.

The house was opened officially by Shinta Nuriyah Wahid, Gus Dur's wife, accompanied by her four daughters, Alissa Wahid, Yenny Wahid, Anita Wahid, and Inayah Wahid on January 24, 2016 as ‘Griya Gus Dur’ which marked  important point as house of movements, such as, the launching of gusdur.net and the launching of Gusdurian charity barn. Currently, there are several institutions that continue Gus Dur’s struggle, such as, The Wahid Institute (Wahid Foundation), The Foundation of Bani KH Abdurrahman Wahid (who oversees National Secretariat of GUSDURian Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid Center for Interfaith Dialogue and Peace at the University of Indonesia, The People's Kiosk Network, and Gus Dur corner), The Foundation of Revival Friends, and Positive Movement at this house. (http://wahidinstitute.org/wi-id/agenda/326.html)

Every corner of the house is interesting to learn, especially the prayer room, a pavilion-shaped room behind the house can be used as prayer place and also discussion space. Many wise words are neatly displayed there and obviously seen once entering the house. In addition, there are photos of Gus Dur's family and several others. Inside the house there are four special rooms used as offices for Alissa Wahid, Yenny Wahid, Anita Wahid, and Inayah. If there are guests or some affairs related to the institution, they will hold meeting there.

Entering into the rooms of the house, one will feel a strong aura of life and passion of struggle. The enthusiasm and inspiration of the life of the two great Indonesian leaders, Wahid Hasyim and Gus Dur who should be echoed, make the house as a gathering place for young people from various backgrounds, ethnics and religions. It is what is called Indonesia. (SAP).