Gus Ipul Launches Book on Fiqh for Strengthening Mental Psychosocial Disabilities

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has officially launched a book titled ‘Fikih Penguatan Disabilitas Psikososial dari Pemahaman Keagamaan Menuju Kesamaan Hak dan Keadilan Sosial’ (Fiqh for Strengthening Psychosocial Disabilities from Religious Understanding Towards Equal Rights and Social Justice). The launch took place at the Al-Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java, on the sidelines of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) National Conference and Grand Assembly.

Minister Gus Ipul stated that the scientific-religious document is not an ordinary publication, but rather a moral compass, a social reference, and an instrument for transforming the mindset of the people. It aims to ensure that persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities are understood not as a burden, but as human beings with equal dignity and inherent rights, as guaranteed by the constitution, religion, and universal humanitarian norms.

KND Commissioner Jonna Aman Damanik highlighted that a major issue is the societal paradigm and perspective towards persons with disabilities, noting a ‘hegemony of normality’ where non-disabled individuals view the world through their own lens. He expressed enthusiasm for transforming this paradigm through the dogma of faith-based laws.

Gus Kautsar, the caretaker of the Al-Falah Ploso pesantren, thanked KND for choosing his institution as the host. He explained that the book clearly depicts social realities and provides guidance on interacting with persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities. He noted that a simple but dangerous mistake is the difficulty in accepting differences in others, whether physical or mental, and stressed the importance of recognising the beauty and special qualities in every individual.

The event was also attended by the Special Staff to the Social Affairs Minister, Ishaq Zubaedi Raqib, along with other KND commissioners and NU officials.