Merayakan Kebebasan Beragama - Democracy Project

Democracy ProjectEPILOGDJOHAN EFFENDI – MODESTMENSCH, VIRTUOUSINTELLECTUAL• Greg BartonMOST READERS OF THIS VOLUME ARE LIKELY ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THElife and work of Djohan. For those that do not know him personallyor have not had an opportunity to become acquainted with hiswriting this volume provides a very valuable service. In fact andprovides a re-valuable service to all of us because Djohan althoughone of the most significant Indonesian Islam intellectuals of hisgeneration is also one of the least well known. Djohan is a deeplyenigmatic figure. His deeply humble and unassuming persona andhis diminutive appearance belie the fact that Djohan is highlyregarded both amongst Indonesia’s political elite and throughoutcivil society.This volume clearly demonstrates the breadth and depth ofrespect and affection felt by many in Indonesia and beyond forDjohan. At the same time, however, Djohan is not as well-known ashe ought to be in part because he is that most curious kind of publicintellectual: although broadly influential and consistently active overmany decades he is a low profile, low key, person. To describe himas being deeply introverted or very shy would be unfair for hehappily mixes across many strands of society, particularly amongstyounger people, and reaches out to make contact with those whocan help. He is however, undoubtedly somebody who could bedescribed as the strong silent kind. He is forever reading andBunga Rampai Menyambut 70 Tahun Djohan Effendi| 751