Gus Dur was the first son of six children born in Denanyar Jombang East Java on August 4, 1940.

Gus Dur genetically descended "blue blood". His father, the son of KH KH Wahid Hashim Hashim Ash'ari, founder Jam'iyah Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic mass organizations in Indonesia, and the founder of Pesantren Tebu Ireng Jombang. His mother, Mrs.. Hj. Sholehah was the daughter of the founder of boarding Denanyar Jombang, KH Syamsuri Bisri. Her maternal grandfather was also an NU figure, the Rais' Aam NU after KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah. Thus, Gus Dur was the grandson of two NU clerics at once, and the two leaders of the Indonesian nation. In 1949, when the clash with the Dutch government has come to an end, his father was appointed as the first Minister of Religious Affairs, so the family moved to Jakarta, Wahid Hashim. Thus, a new atmosphere has been entered. Guests, consisting of leaders-with a variety of professional fields-which previously had been found in her grandfather's house, continues when his father became minister of religion. This gives a special experience for a boy named Abdurrahman Wahid. Indirectly, Gus Dur also became acquainted with the political world had heard of his father's colleagues who often hung in the home. Since childhood, she has marked the various cues that Gus Dur will have lifeline different and have full awareness of responsibility towards the NU. In April 1953, Wahid went with his father to drive to West Java to inaugurate new madrasas. Somewhere along the mountains between Cimahi and Bandung, the car had an accident. Gus Dur can be saved, but his father died. Death of her father brings its own influence in his life. In daily life, Gus Dur has a penchant for reading and diligent use of his father's personal library. He was also active in visiting Jakarta Public Librarianship. In the teen years Gus Dur was familiar with a variety of magazines, newspapers, novels and books are rather serious. The works were read by Gus Dur is not only the stories, especially the story of martial arts and fiction, but the discourse of philosophy and foreign documents not escape from their concern. Besides reading, figure this one too happy to play ball, chess and music. Thus, do not be surprised if Gus Dur never asked to be a football commentator on television. Other Pastimes, who participated also completed his hobby is watching movies. His passion raises profound appreciation in the world of film. This is why Gu Dur in 1986-1987 was appointed as chairman of the Indonesian Film Festival jury. Gus Dur adolescence mostly spent in Yogyakarta and Tegalrejo. In two places it is the development of science began to increase. Later on, Gus Dur living in

Jombang, in boarding Pond Rice, until then continued his studies in Egypt. Before leaving for Egypt, his uncle had melamarkan a girl for him, the son Haji Sinta Nuriyah Muh. Sakur. Perkimpoiannya carried out while he was in Egypt. Educational Experience First learning, Gus Dur small study on the grandfather, KH Hasyim. At home with his grandfather, he taught the Koran and read the Koran. In the age of five years he was well read the Koran. At the time his father moved to Jakarta, in addition to formal learning in school, Gus Dur also entered private Dutch lessons. Tutor named Willem Buhl, a German who had converted to Islam, who changed his name to Alexander. To add to the Dutch language lessons, Buhl always presents the usual classical music enjoyed by adults. This is the first time Gu Dur contiguity with the West and from here anyway Gus Dur became interested and loved classical music. After graduating from elementary school, Gus Dur sent his parents to study in Yogyakarta. In 1953 he entered the SMEP (School of Economics First) Gowongan, while mole in boarding Krapyak. This school is even run by the Roman Catholic Church, but to fully use the secular curriculum. In this school the first time Gus Dur also learn English. Feeling confined to live in the world of boarding school, he finally asked to move to the city and live in the house Haji Junaidi, a local leader of Muhammadiyah and influential people in the SMEP. Routine activities, after morning prayers chanting at KH Ma'shum Krapyak, SMEP school day, and at night he participate in discussions with members of Muhammadiyah Haji Junaidi and others. After graduating from SMEP Gus Dur continue his study at boarding school in Central Java Tegarejo Magelang. Pesantren is taken care of by KH Chudhari, figure humanist clerics, holy and beloved teacher. Kyai Chudhari is what introduces Gus Dur with mystic rites and infuse mystical ritual practices. Under the guidance of clerics also, Wahid began making pilgrimages to the sacred graves of the saints in Java. At the time of entry into these schools, Gus Dur bring the entire collection of books, which made the other students-students in amazement. At this time Gus Dur also been able to demonstrate its ability to berhumor and talk. In regard to the latter there is an interesting story that should be disclosed in this exposure was at the grand imtihan-party held before the fasting at the time of parting students who finished completing learning by providing food and drinks and bring all the entertainment of the people, such as: the Gamelan , traditional dances, horse lumping, jathilan, and so on. Obviously, entertainment as mentioned

above is very taboo for the world at large schools. But it exists and occurs in Pesantren Tegalrejo. After spending two years at boarding Tegalrejo, Wahid moved back to Jombang, and lived in boarding Pond Rice. At that age approaching 20 years, so at his uncle's boarding school, KH Abdul Fatah, he became a chaplain, and became chief of security. At the age of 22 years, Gus Dur went to the holy land to perform the pilgrimage, which is then passed to Egypt to continue his studies at the University of al-Azhar. First arrived in Egypt, he was disappointed not to be directly in the alAzhar University, but had to go Aliyah (a sort of preparatory school). At school she was bored, having to repeat the course she had taken in Indonesia. To relieve the boredom, Wahid frequently visited the library and information service center American (USIS) and bookstores where she can get the books you want. However, the spirit of learning Gus Dur not subside. The proof in 1979 Gus Dur was offered to study in a university in Australia to mendapatkkan doctorates. However, good intentions can not be met, because all promoters can not afford, and that Gus Dur menggangap not need the title. Career Journey Coming home from pegembaraanya seek knowledge, Gus Dur back to Jombang and chose to be a teacher. In 1971, young leaders joined the Faculty of the University of Sugarcane Ireng Ushuludin Jombang. Three years later he became the secretary Pesantren Tebu Ireng, and the same year began to be a writer Gus Dur. He returned to his talent sebagaii writer and columnist. Through the writings of Gus Dur's thoughts ideas began to receive much attention. Djohan Efendi, a leading intellectual of his time, considered that Gus Dur was a digestive, digest all thought he was reading, and then absorbed into its own thinking. In 1974, Gus Dur was asked his uncle, Joseph KH Hasyim to assist in Pesantren Tebu Ireng Jombang to become a secretary. From here Gus Dur start often get invited as resource persons in a religious discussion forum and kepesantrenan, both at home and abroad. Furthermore, Gus Dur is involved in the activities of NGOs. In 1979, Wahid moved to Jakarta. At first he pioneered boarding Ciganjur. While in the early 1980s Gus Dur scribes advisory is believed to be representative of NU. Here Gus Dur engage in serious discussion and debate on the issue of religious, social and political circles across various religions, ethnicities, and discipline. Gus Dur more serious writing and struggling with his world, both in the field of culture, politics, and Islamic thought. A career that is considered 'menyimpang'-in his

capacity as a religious leader as well as the NU-board and invite scorn is when the head of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) in tahunn 1983. He also became chairman of the jury of the Festival Film Indonesia (FFI) 1986, 1987. In 1984, Gus Dur was chosen unanimously by a team ahl hall wa al-'aqdi headed by KH As'ad Syamsul Arifin for NU chairman positions to 27th in the conference in Situbondo. Position is re-confirmed at the conference to 28 schools Krapyak in Yogyakarta (1989), and the conference in Cipasung West Java (1994). NU chairman position and then released when Gus Dur was president of RI-4. Although he became president, the nyleneh Gus Dur's not lost, even more known to the whole society. Previously, maybe only certain people, especially the sense of controversy among Nahdliyin ideas. Now the people of Indonesia come to think that the idea of the controversy raised by KH Abdurrahman Wahid.