U.S. envoy leads tribute to legacy of Gus Dur

Jakarta, NU Online
U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel joined Consul General Joaquin Monserrate and staff from U.S. Consulate General Surabaya to host "A Tribute to Martin Luther King and Gus Dur: Legacies of Pluralism, Diversity and Democracy" on Tuesday in East Java.<>

Leading government, political, religious and education figures attended the event, which honored human rights activists Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesia's fourth president more commonly known as `Gus Dur`, the U.S. Embassy here said in its official website on Wednesday.

Ambassador Marciel, Gus Dur's eldest daughter Alissa Qotrunnada Munawaroh Rahman, and humanist Emha Ainun Nadjib delivered keynote remarks at the tribute, which included a discussion about pluralism and tolerance and Indonesia.

The Ambassador emphasized Dr. King`s paramount role in U.S. history through his campaign for equal rights while combating racial inequality through nonviolence.

As reported by Antara news agency, in addition to the January 22 tribute, U.S. Consulate General Surabaya also launched a one-month photo exhibition at the Consulate that showcases memorable photos of both men.

Both Gus Dur and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are acknowledged around the world for their ceaseless efforts to promote peace, tolerance, democracy, and respect for others as necessary conditions to improve governance and rights for all people.

In addition to being recognized as renowned clerics with strong religious convictions, they were true advocates for minority groups regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity.

In honoring these exceptional figures, the `Legacies of Pluralism, Diversity and Democracy` tribute and photo exhibition in Surabaya highlight the values of democracy, pluralism, and diversity, all of which are key values shared by the people of the United States and Indonesia.

Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq