(January 1-7, 2010)

Another good man has returned to his Lord. Indeed, a big loss not only to Indonesia but also to the entire Muslim ummah! He is former President Abdurrahman Wahid, 69, who died last December 30 of lingering illness arising from diabetes and stroke.

The Moros and the MILF have owed him much, and would remember him long as “humorous, happy, clever, brave, and caring”. He was the only Indonesian president who played host to number of MILF leaders including Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, who paid him a number of visits in Jakarta.

If humility is not the common trait of the powerful like presidents, emperors, monarchs, and prime ministers; Wahid was an exception. His humbleness made him a unique leader. Protocol was certainly part of the presidency, but he can set it aside if only to make a visitor feels at home and at ease. This was the testimony of MILF officials who were lucky enough to be granted visits.

Certainly this we cannot forget. Neither can we repay it. The most that we can do is to solemnly pray that he be granted a place with the pious in the day hereafter. This is the most that we can wish and pray for such a good man like him.

In the name of our people and the MILF, we solemnly send our heartfelt condolence to the family, friends, and supporters in this hour of bereavement. May Allah grant him the best place in Paradise!

Popularly known as Gus Dur, he was practically blind and in later years used a wheelchair, but remained active in public life until the end.

He was Indonesia’s fourth president, coming to power in 1999 after the country’s first general elections following the fall of military strongman Suharto in 1998.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Indonesians to pay Wahid their “highest respects.”

“I say this with prayers and hope that he is accepted at the side of God for his enormous service to the public, the nation and our beloved state,” he said.

Wahid was buried in a family graveyard at his birthplace in Jombang, East Java, in a ceremony to be presided over by Yudhoyono.

Wahid was once the head of the Nahdlatul Ulama, one of the biggest Muslim organizations in Indonesia with about 35 million card-bearings members. It was established on January 31, 1926 by Wahab Chasbullah with supported from Hasyim Asy'ari, the most respected ulema in East Java. Hasyim also sat as the first chairman.