Remembering Gus Dur's Life Journey

KOMPAS.com - Kiai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid, who is often known as Gus Dur is a national figure who many Indonesian people traveling coloring. Great grandchildren KH Hasyim scholars Ash'ari has served Chairman of the NU. Gus Dur also founded the National Awakening Party or PKB in the reform era.

Gus Dur died on Wednesday (30/12/2009) at around 18:45 at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) after a few days and treated through dialysis. Wahid survived by his wife, Shinta Nuriyah, and four children, each Qotrunnada Munawaroh Alissa, Zanuba Arifah, Anita Hayatunnufus, and Inayah.

Life journey began in Jombang, East Java, where he was born on August 4, 1940. He underwent primary school education in Jakarta since 1953 and continue to SMEP in Yogyakarta in 1956. Later, Gus Dur continuing education in the pesantren in Jombang Tambakberas 1963. Gus Dur also got an education at Al Azhar University, Department of Higher Islamic and Arabic Studies, Cairo and the Faculty of Letters, University of Baghdad, Iraq, in 1970 but could not finish.

After that, Gus Dur's career as a teacher and lecturer for many years. Wahid became Mu'allimat Madrasah Teachers, Jombang (1959 - 1963), Lecturer University Asyhari Hashim, Jombang (1972-1974), and Dean of the Faculty of the University Ushuluddin Asyhari Hashim, Jombang (1972-1974).

Gus Dur is also active in the pesantren Pesantren Tebuireng secretary, Jombang (1974-1979) and became a consultant in various agencies and government departments in 1976. Furthermore, Wahid became caretaker Pesantren Ciganjur, Jakarta, since 1976 until now.

In the organization NU, Wahid became a member of NU Syria in 1979-1984. He also served as Chairman of Tanfidziyah members belonging Ulama (NU) for the three periods. Each 1984-1989, 1989-1994, and 1994-1999.

Meanwhile, in government, Wahid never sit, either in the legislative and executive institutions. He became a member of the Assembly of the messenger class for two periods. Each period of 1987-1992 and 1999-2004. Highest political career is to become President of the Republic of Indonesia for 2 years in 1999-2001.

Gus Dur is known as the harmony of religious people, even quite controversial because the board members Shimon Peres Peace Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. He was the Vice Chairman of the three religions, namely Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, which was established at the University of Al-Kala, Spain, and founder of Forum 2000 (organisisasi who put interreligious relations). He also has served as Chairman of the International Council of the World Conference for Religion and Peace or World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), Italy, in 1994.

Wahid has also been Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Daily (DPH) Dewan Kesenian Jakarta Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) period 1983-1985. Despite decreased ability to see, known as Gus Dur still love to read through the book suido even until the end of his life. He is also known productive writing articles and books.

Gus Dur is also a lot of awards, such as a doctorate honoris causa from the University of Jawaharlal Nehru, India, Star Signs Service Class 1, Division of Science and Culture of the Government of Egypt, Pin Award from the Family Planning Association Family Planning I, Ramon Magsaysay, Mahaputera Star Home of President BJ Habibie, a doctorate honoris causa from the peace of Soka University of Japan (2000), the Global Tolerance Award from Friends of the United Nations New York (2003), World Peace Prize Award from the World Peace Council Prize awarding (WPPAC) Seoul Korea Southern (2003), President of the World Headquarters on Non-Violence Peace Movement (2003), an award from Simon Wiethemtal Center United States (2008), Mebal Valor award from the United States (2008), awards and honors from Temple University, Philadelphia, United States , which bears his name as a tribute to the study and assessment of harmony among religious believers, Abdurrahman Wahid Chair of Islamic Study (2008).

Remembering Gus Dur's Life Journey