The correct spelling of the name of the fourth President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, is often misspelled due to its complex sound system. The IPA phonetic transcription of the name is ʕabdʊr ræħman wahid. The first part of the name starts with a glottal stop, followed by a short "a" sound. The second part combines the "r" and "a" sounds and ends with the "h" sound, emphasized by a voiced velar fricative. The last part, "wahid," is pronounced as "wah-heed" with a long "i" sound at the end.
Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, was an Indonesian Islamic scholar, politician, and the fourth President of Indonesia. Born on September 7, 1940, in Jombang, East Java, Wahid played a crucial role in shaping Indonesia's political landscape and promoting religious tolerance and democracy.
As an Islamic scholar, Wahid was highly respected for his deep understanding of Islam and his promotion of a pluralistic interpretation of the religion. He emphasized the importance of unity, compassion, and spirituality, rejecting extremist views and advocating for peaceful coexistence between different religious and ethnic groups.
Wahid's political career began in the 1970s when he became involved in various Islamic organizations and established the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) party, one of the largest Muslim organizations in the world. In 1999, he was elected as the President of Indonesia, becoming the first elected president after the fall of the Suharto regime.
During his presidency, Wahid championed human rights, democracy, and decentralization. His leadership was marked by efforts to combat corruption, empower marginalized groups, and address regional conflicts within Indonesia. However, his presidency was also marred by political struggles and economic challenges.
Abdurrahman Wahid's legacy extends far beyond his presidency. His contributions to promoting religious tolerance, pluralism, and democratic values have had a lasting impact on Indonesian society. He passed away on December 30, 2009, but his teachings and principles continue to inspire millions both within Indonesia and globally.
The word "Abdurrahman" is of Arabic origin and is composed of two elements: "Abd" and "Rahman". "Abd" means "servant" or "slave", and "Rahman" is one of the names of God in Islam meaning "the merciful". Therefore, "Abdurrahman" can be translated as "servant of the merciful" or "slave of the merciful".
As for the last name "Wahid", it is also of Arabic origin and means "one" or "unique". It is derived from the Arabic word "wahada", which means "to unite" or "to make one". So, "Wahid" can be translated as "the one" or "the unique".