Contextualizing Liberation Theology in Indonesian Religious Literature through the Contributions of K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid

Khoirul Umam Addzaky; Uswatun  Hasanah; Ida Faridatul Hasanah; Muhammad Asy'ari Ari

doi:10.31291/jlka.v23i1.1285

Authors

Khoirul Umam Addzaky UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta
Uswatun Hasanah UIN Raden Intan Lampung
Ida Faridatul Hasanah UIN Raden Intan Lampung
Muhammad Asy'ari Ari Al Azhar Cairo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v23i1.1285

Keywords:

Gus Dur, Indonesian religious thought, Liberation Theology Pluralism, Progressive Islamic discourse

Abstract

The writing on liberation theology, which originally developed in the Latin American Christian tradition, has found its resonance in contemporary Islamic thought. K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid is one of the Indonesian Muslim figures who made significant contributions to the development of this discourse. This research aims to analyze the manifestation of liberation theology in Gus Dur's thought as well as identify its distinctive characteristics through the study of the book “Islamku, Islam Anda, Islam Kita” with a qualitative approach and content analysis method. The main findings of the study reveal three distinctive characteristics of Gus Dur's liberation theology: an innovative synthesis of traditional fiqh with modern social justice principles, particularly in his advocacy of minority rights; the reinterpretation of religious texts to challenge authoritarian interpretations, reflected in his defense of religious freedom and democratic values; and the development of an Indonesian model of Islamic pluralism that emphasizes grassroots empowerment. The practical significance of the findings provides a theoretical foundation for interfaith dialogue, minority protection, and democratic reform in contemporary Indonesia. The unique contribution of this research lies in documenting how Gus Dur successfully bridged the gap between Islamic traditionalism and modern progressive thought, creating an Indonesian approach to liberation theology that remains relevant to address contemporary social challenges, and providing a foundation for understanding how religious thought can be mobilized for social transformation in pluralistic societies.

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