Merayakan Kebebasan Beragama - Democracy Project

Democracy Projectevidence of his humility is found in the fact that he gives no thoughtto being seen to be humble. Similarly, everything about Djoha’sbehaviour and personal style suggests that absence of pretension.Interestingly, whilst he is not by nature given to gossip orjudgementalism about others, one thing that does clearly annoy himis arrogance and pretension. When he obtained his highest publicoffice as Minister of the State Secretariat during the Wahidpresidency, Djohan was clearly the least pretentious and most humbleperson to have ever occupied that office. As an intellectual, thisgenuine humility and disregard for status makes him powerfullyattractive. Young people are drawn to him because of his characterand even his enemies appear uncomfortable in responding harshly tosomebody who is so self-evidently decent and gentle.Humility by itself, however, is not on all sufficient virtue in apublic intellectual. Fortunately, in Djohan it is combined with thenecessary companion virtues of empathy and compassion. It is nomere coincidence that God is referred to most frequently in Islam bythese virtues as “The all-compassionate and The all-merciful”. Wherethere is genuine love a little excess of ego can easily be overlookedbut there is no substitute for an insufficiency of love.Some of John’s best work, arguably his most important work,has been done in the field of inter-faith dialogue. Despite his lack ofa regular charisma and his introverted style Djohan has been aconsistent success in this field where humility, empathy andcompassion are absolutely essential. These virtues combined with hisintellectual character discussed above, and his own deep faith, workto open virtually all doors for him. There is never any question thatwhen Djohan approaches somebody he is being anything less thancompletely genuine or selfless, and consequently it is very hard torefuse him. Amongst other things he is an excellent ambassador forIslam, modelling the very virtues made concrete in the life of theProphet Muhammad.Finally, Djohan is driven by a very particular desire to help theyoung. He has quietly mentored, encouraged and motivated scoresof young activists and thinkers, and it is likely that in this area asmuch as in any other area of his life that he has been most fruitful.It would be an interesting study to track and Djohan’s contributionsto the lives of young intellectuals and map out his pattern ofBunga Rampai Menyambut 70 Tahun Djohan Effendi| 761