Abdurrahman Wahid (Gusdur) Has Died : Rest in peace Abdurrahman Wahid

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JAKARTA (GaeaTimes.com) — Abdurrahman Wahid, the fourth Indonesian president has died today. He had served as the President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001.

Wahid was the first elected president of Indonesia after the fall of the Suharto regime in 1998. He was the long-time president of the Nahdlatul Ulama and the founder of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Wahid was best known as Gus Dur. He was an Indonesian Muslim, named after Abd ar-Rahman, who brought Islam to Spain. In the traditional Arabic naming system his name is stylized as “Abdurrahman, son of Wahid”.

As a member of the Religious Advisory Council, Wahid envisioned himself as a reformer of NU. In 1982 Legislative Elections, Wahid campaigned for the United Development Party (PPP), an Islamist Party which was formed as a result of a merger of 4 Islamist parties including NU.

To further revitalize NU, Wahid was also successful in securing its withdrawal from PPP and Party politics. This was done so that, NU can focus on social matters instead of hampering itself by being involved in politics.

In 1991, Wahid countered ICMI by forming the Democracy Forum, an organization which contained of 45 intellectuals from various religious and social communities. As Chairman, Wahid continued to push for inter-faith dialogue and even accepted an invitation to visit Israel in October 1994.

As the 1994 National Congress approached, Wahid nominated himself for a 3rd term as Chairman. Suharto’s supporters, such as Habibie and Harmoko campaigned against Wahid’s re-election. After resignation of Suharto in 1998, PKB was formed. On 7 February 1999, PKB officially declared Wahid as their Presidential candidate.

Abdurrahman Wahid, was not only a political leader but also a religious man associated with various social works.

Innalillahi, Gus dur rest in peace. God always save you.