Former President Abdurrahman Wahid or often known as Gus Dur passed away at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta today. Gus Dur was treated at the Hospital since December 26, 2009 due to exhaustion after a visit to a boarding school in East Java. On Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:30 pm his condition deteriorated with the complications of stroke, diabetes, heart and 18:15 pm was in critical condition. The presidential team of doctors at 18:45 pm announced that Gus Dur had died. 

Gus Dur was not only known as a former President of Indonesia but also a national figure. He was the grandchild of KH Hasyim Ash'ari, one of Indonesia’s prominent clergy, and became a Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and founded Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa or Nation’s Awakening Party (PKB) in the era of political reform. Gus Dur became the religious tolerance figure in Indonesia and on of the founders of Shimon Peres Peace Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. He was the Vice Chairman of the three religions of Islam, Christians and Jews founded at the University of Al-Kala, Spain, a founder of Forum 2000 (Organization of interfaiths relations). He also served as Chairman of the Board International World Conference for Religion and Peace (World Conference on Religion and Peace, WCRP), Italy, in 1994.