Wahid: jovial and moderate Islamic leader

Indonesia's new President, Abdurrahman Wahid, is almost blind and wracked with health problems but is jovial and outgoing and…

Indonesia's new President, Abdurrahman Wahid, is almost blind and wracked with health problems but is jovial and outgoing and a revered and moderate Islamic leader who has proven himself a great political survivor.

Islam is a potent force in Indonesia - about 90 per cent of its 210 million people are Muslims, making it the world's largest Islamic nation. Many observers believe President Wahid's election could herald both a new era of democracy and an increasing role for religion after years of secular, military-backed authoritarianism.

Mr Wahid (59) is commonly known by his nickname, Gus Dur. In recent years, he has suffered two strokes and, despite extensive eye surgery in the US this year, he remains almost blind.

Since 1984, he has been the leader of the 30-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which is said to be the world's largest Islamic organisation. He has used his influence as an intellectual and as a religious leader to promote sectarian and social tolerance across the politically, ethnically and religiously diverse archipelago.

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From a widely respected prominent Muslim family in Jombang in East Java, Mr Wahid was an academic before entering politics. He holds a degree in Arabic studies from Cairo University and another in literature from Baghdad University. While he was studying in Baghdad, Mr Wahid married his wife, Nuriyah, in 1968. They have four children.

Under president Suharto's regime, Mr Wahid promoted progressive ideas and advocated co-operation between Indonesia's different religious faiths. During a visit to Israel, he called for greater dialogue between Islamic states and Israel.

He has consistently defended Indonesia's predominantly Christian Chinese minority against attacks by some hard-line Muslim groups, and has backed a referendum for the restive province of Aceh in northern Sumatra, which could put him at odds with the military, still smarting from the loss of East Timor.

Since president Suharto's resignation, Mr Wahid has played a major role in the movement for reform. What some see as his diplomatic abilities others criticise as a lack of political principles, comparing him to a boat captain always setting his sails to the fairest wind. Critics remember his attempt to promote a political role for Gen Suharto's eldest daughter, Ms Siti "Tutut" Hardiyanti Rukmana, while at the same time remaining a staunch supporter of opposition leader Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri.

His National Awakening Party (PKB) came a poor fourth in last year's parliamentary elections, and at first he threw his support behind Ms Megawati. When relations with her went sour a few weeks ago after she failed to promise concessions to his Muslim interests, he continued to talk to president Habibie and maintained dialogue with military.

With Mr Habibie visibly wounded this week, and conservatives opposing the idea of a woman president, Mr Wahid offered a safe middle road to Muslim conservatives. When Mr Habibie withdrew, Mr Wahid put together a formidable alliance and defeated Ms Megawati.