Cosmopolitan Islam and Socio-Religious Plurality: Reassessing Gus Dur’s Thought in Contemporary Indonesia

Abstract

This article aims to reassess Abdurrahman Wahid’s (Gus Dur) thought on cosmopolitan Islam in response to the challenges of socio-religious plurality in contemporary Indonesia. The study is grounded in the tension between religious formalism and the substantive values of Islam, particularly amid the rise of conservatism and exclusivism. Using a descriptive-historical and philosophical approach, the research reconstructs the foundations of Gus Dur’s thought through library research on his writings, speeches, and interpretations of his ideas. The analysis is conducted qualitatively using a hermeneutic method to explore the historical context and ethical underpinnings of his cosmopolitan Islamic perspective. The findings reveal that Gus Dur’s cosmopolitan Islam is rooted in principles of humanism, inclusivity, and respect for cultural and religious diversity. His ideas provide not only an alternative to the dominant exclusive Islamic narratives but also offer an ethical-sociological paradigm for strengthening social cohesion, promoting justice, and nurturing tolerance in plural societies. The novelty of this research lies in its reformulation of Gus Dur’s thought as a theoretical framework applicable to the sociology of religion and inclusive identity formation. It contributes to social and political sciences and recommends integrating cosmopolitan Islamic values into civic education, public policy, and interfaith dialogue as long-term strategies for building a just and tolerant society.