In 1964, Abdurrahman obtained a scholarship to study at Ma'had Ali Dimsat al-Islamiyah, al-Azhar University, Cairo, by specializing in Sharia. Abdurrahman, who when he left for 23-year-old Arabic, already had 1000 lines of Arabic grammar memorized by heart. Feeling bored studying in Egypt, Abdurrahman then moved to Baghdad to attend lectures at the University of Baghdad.
In 1984 Abdurrahman was chosen by acclamation by an ahl hall wa al-aqdi team headed by K.H. As`ad Syamsul Arifin to hold the position of chairman of PBNU at the 27th conference in Situbondo.
The thoughts of Abdurrahman Wahid
a. Pluralism and Tolerance
Gus Dur is a spiritual figure and moderate figure who is able to balance worldly and ukhrawi interests.
b. Politics, Democracy and Human Rights
Understandably, his attitude, maneuverability, strategy and political tactics are the most frequently discussed rather than his struggle with the world of pesantrenan.
As a national figure who is considered a national teacher, Abdurrahman is also known as a public intellectual who always campaigns for democratization and human rights enforcement.
c. Dualism of Islam and the State
the state gives legitimacy to the existing religions, including Islam.
