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Thousands of mourners have gathered in Indonesia to pay their respects to the former president, Abdurrahman Wahid, as his funeral was held in East Java. Often referred to by his nickname, Gus Dur, Wahid led the country from 1999 to 2001. He died on Wednesday aged 69. He was the first elected president after the fall of the Suharto regime. Mourners wept as they lit candles and burned incense for a leader who was widely renowned for his tolerance and openness to other faiths and ideas. Wahid was removed from office in 2001 over unproven allegations of corruption, but remained politically active until his final years. Rich diversity A memorial service for Wahid was led by the current president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The former leader was buried in his East Java hometown, Jombang, where about 5,000 supporters gathered to welcome his motorcade. His supporters have held vigils at mosques, churches, temples and schools. Such was the emotion in Jakarta that Gus Dur's wheelchair-bound widow, Shinta Nuriyah, and tearful daughter Yenny, were swamped by crowds. The Jakarta Post newspaper reported that news of Gus Dur's death had prompted spontaneous prayer gatherings across the country - and not only among fellow Muslims. Jakarta Archbishop Julius Darmaatmadja SJ said Gus Dur had left an indelible mark on people of all faiths. "He was a Muslim, but he became a blessing to all faiths," the newspaper quoted him as saying. The leaders of Indonesia's political elite gathered at the funeral. "We just lost a great statesman who fought to keep the country pluralist, while fighting fundamentalism," lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis said. "He was a true democrat, respecting even his political foes." Messages of condolence also poured in from abroad. The White House said Wahid had been "a pivotal figure" in Indonesia's transition to a free government, who "will be remembered for his commitment to democratic principles, inclusive politics, and religious tolerance". Surprising victory The partially blind Muslim cleric came to power after defeating Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of founding President Sukarno, in October 1999. His win was a surprise - Mrs Megawati's party had won far more votes in the legislative polls - and a testament to Wahid's ability to build coalitions with other parties. He used this skill to try to bring unity in the tumultuous post-Suharto years. Educated in Indonesia, Egypt, Iraq and Canada, Wahid had a reputation for religious tolerance and moderate politics. But he not been in the job long before his opponents accused him of failing to tackle the economic crisis, and doing little to resolve the secessionist conflicts in several provinces of Indonesia. In July 2001, less than two years into the job, he was sacked by the country's national assembly amid unproven allegations of corruption and incompetence. As well as his prominent political role, he was also a leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, a Muslim group with some 40 million members - and one of the largest independent Islamic organisations in the world. He suffered several strokes and was confined to a wheelchair in his later years, but despite his fading health he remained an influential figure in politics.