Country:

Indonesia

Type of Organization:

Research Center on Islam

Constructive Practices:

Campaigning
Information Dissemination
Capacity Building

Mission

According to its website:
"The Wahid Institute is committed to the exchange and dissemination of progressive Muslim thought to promote tolerance and understanding in the world. In particular, the institute is committed to developing a dialogue between the highest spiritual and political leaders in the west and Muslim world."

Description

The Wahid Institute is a nonprofit organization that focuses on culture and Islamic studies. The organization's ethos is inspired by the moderate and tolerant view of Islam espoused by H.E. Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia, and former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), one of the biggest Islamic organizations in Indonesia. The Wahid Institute works in the areas of education and social development, and as a research center.

History

Adopting the name of Abdurrahman Wahid, The Wahid Institute was founded on September 7, 2004. However, the discussions to form this institute were begun after the launching of Abdurrahman Wahid’s website ,www.gusdur.net, on August 17, 2001. According to Yenny Zannuba Wahid, the director of The Wahid Institute, the reason for establishing this institute was because our “current world situation which is haunted by violence and raising threat of terrorism, for whatever reason, has forced us to take cooperative action in the form inter-religious, nation and ethnic dialog.”

Programs

Four primary programs of this organization are:
1. Campaign on Islam, pluralism and democracy
2. Publishing and library
3. Capacity building for progressive Muslim network
4. Education

Events

The latest event that The Wahid Institute held was a workshop series about Islam and Pluralism in cooperation with the Indonesian Christian Church Crisis Centre with both Islamic and Protestant clerics participating. According to the facilitator, Abdul Moqsith Ghazali, the purpose of this workshop was to further non-Muslims’ understanding of Islam. In addition, The Wahid Institute also regularly holds book discussions, conferences, and seminars on issues that are in line with its mission.