An ID card for an Indonesian man named Tuhan (which means “God”) started making the rounds on social media recently. When reporters investigated the story, many were surprised to find out that the ID card was real and that Tuhan was in fact the legal name of a man living in the Banyuwangi Regency of East Java.
Until the ID photo went viral, Tuhan, a father of two, claimed to never have any problems regarding his unusual name.
“All this time it has been fine. No problems. I’m just an ordinary person, everyone knows that I’m just a carpenter,” Tuhan said, as quoted by Kompas.
But now that the name of Tuhan is known throughout the land, it has earned him the attention of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which has advised him to change his name.
“It would be better if he changed his name or added to it, because his name right now is simply going to cause controversy,” said Achmad Yamin, Chairman of the Banyuwangi branch of MUI.
Another MUI leader, Abdussomad Bukhori, suggested Tuhan add Abdu to the beginning of his name to change it’s meaning to “Servant of God.”
But Tuhan struck down their suggestions.
“I’m not going to change my name, which was given to me by my parents. In addition, if I change my name, then all of my documents would have to be replaced also, including my KTP, marriage certificate, diploma, and others,” said the simple carpenter.
Personally, we would not dare to contradict the will of Tuhan or tell him what to do. We have faith that Tuhan knows exactly what he is doing.
