Early Life
Salim was born in Kota Gadang, Agam, West Sumatra to Sutan Muhammad Salim, a court official, and Siti Zaenab on 8 October 1884. His birth name was Musyudul Haq; Agus was his nickname. His father was a prosecutor (called hoofd djaksa) in Riau High Court and once received the highest civilian medal from Queen Wilhelmina.
In 1890, he began to study in Europeese Lagere School (generally only for Europeans) and graduated in 1897. During that period, he also furthered his studies of Islam. In 1897, he studied at Hogere Burger School and he earned the highest rank of HBS, when he was 19 years old.
Salim was interested in studying medicine applied for a scholarship from the Dutch colonial government, but was refused. In respect of his mother's last wish, at the age of 22 he took a job at the Dutch consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His family expected him to study religious science from his uncle, Syaikh Ahmad Khatib. At the embassy, Salim translated and managed Indonesian's hajj pilgrimages.
Read more about this topic: Agus Salim
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