About The Wahid Institute

The WAHID Institute seeks to expand the vision and intellectual principles of H.E. Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur for the development of moderate Islamic thought to promote democratic reform, religious pluralism, multiculturalism and tolerance amongst Muslims both in Indonesia and around the world. The WAHID Institute is committed to the exchange and dissemination of progressive Muslims 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. The institute is arranged into a number of separate programs as described below

Campaign on Islam, pluralism and democracy
Via this program the WAHID Institute facilitates communication and cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim scholars concerning Islam and Muslim society and as well as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism and local culture by such means as publishing websites (www.wahidinstitute.org and www.gusdur.net), holding discussions and conferences, and producing briefs on strategic issues. The institute coordinates with a wide range of civil society groups across Indonesia to arrange roundtables and dialogues, many of which are youth-orientated.

Publishing and Library
The institute supports the publication of strategically important endeavours. It also seeks to translate English and Arabic material into Bahasa Indonesia and vice versa. The institute intends to build a Muslim library that will serve Muslim activists, scholars, and researchers. Abdurrahman Wahid’s personal work and library will form the nucleolus of this collection. The institute publishes the bi-monthly newsletter Nawala that covers contemporary affairs related to pluralism in Indonesia.

Capacity Building for Progressive Muslims Network
The WAHID Institute is in the process of mapping Muslim NGOs and individuals to build an accurate and complete picture of the key elements of Islamic civil society in Indonesia. Key contacts and interest information will be assembled into a comprehensive database to promote the development of a network of likeminded individuals and groups.

Education
Promising young men and women from across the country with basic textual skill in Islamic studies will be selected to undergo an intensive period of training for 5-6 months where they will live and interact under one roof, learning from a curriculum of progressive Muslims thinking devised by the Institute

Requirements

Strong written and oral communication skills, background or interest in religious studies/Islam. Although not essential, some Indonesian language skills would be an advantage.

Recommended readings are:

  • Asrori S. Karni. 2004. A Celebration of Democracy: A journalistic portrayal of Indonesia’s 2004 direct elections amongst moderate and hardline Muslims. The Wahid Institute. Jakarta
  • Greg Fealy, Sally White (eds). 2008. Expressing Islam: Religious Life and Politics in Indonesia. Singapore. ISEAS.
  • Luthfi Assyaukanie. 2009. Islam and the Secular State in Indonesia. Singapore. ISEAS.
  • Azyumardi Azra. 2006. Indonesisa, Islam, and Democracy: Dynamics in a Global Context. Jakarta. Equinox.
  • AE Priyono, Willy Purna Samadhi, Olle Tornquist. 2007. Making Democracy Meaningful: Problems and Options in Indonesia. Singapore. ISEAS.

Intern Duties

Interns with the Wahid institute will work with the Publishing and Capacity Building programs according to requirements at the time of the internship. Students may be assigned to assist in the organisation of seminar discussions or participate as speakers themselves, help with report writing or in the preparation of speeches or background papers. Publishing division work will include the proofing of English language materials published by the centre. Interns will also be asked to lead the Friday afternoon English language training program for institute staff.

Working hours

To be confirmed

Location

Jl. Taman Amir Hamzah No.8, Kecamatan Menteng
Jakarta 10320, Indonesia