THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF K.H. ABDURRAHMAN WAHID: RECONSTRUCTING RELIGIOUS HUMANISM, PLURALISM, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION

Abstract

Globalization presents challenges that necessitate an approach to religious education capable of integrating religious values and humanistic principles. This study aims to explore K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid’s (Gus Dur) educational philosophy and identify its relevance to the reform of Islamic education. This qualitative library research employs a philosophical-hermeneutic interpretation of scholarly literature on Gus Dur’s educational thought, focusing on its ontological, epistemological, and axiological dimensions. The findings indicate that Gus Dur’s thought represents religious humanism as a foundation for education by integrating Islamic intellectual traditions with contextual dialogue and orienting educational processes toward the development of individuals who value diversity, uphold justice, and demonstrate social responsibility. The study contributes a philosophical foundation for developing inclusive curricula, dialogical pedagogies, and equitable governance in contemporary Islamic education.