IBRAHIM ISAS FOCUS ON MUHAMMADIYAH
Friday, July 9^th , 2010
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Muhammadiyahs century
The Jakarta Post | Tue, 07/06/2010 - Editorial
There are few organizations like it. A sociocultural mass base numbering
in the millions. A force of societal stability. A catalyst for cultural
change. Indonesia is blessed by the presence of two such mainstream
groupings: Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.
In its centennial year, Muhammadiyah is undertaking its congress to
elect its next chairman and ultimately shape the direction of the
organization. With a network of schools, universities, hospitals and
various institutions under its aegis, few organizations are as well
placed and equipped to help determine the direction of this nation.
Since it was formed by Ahmad Dahlan in 1912 in Yogyakarta, Muhammadiyah
has been founded on the pillars of reason and progressive change.
Rejecting the traditonalist dogmatic approach, it instead advocated for
rational reasoning and interpretation, or ijtihad, within its community.
For a lack of a better word, it was already secular even before the
birth of the state or conservative ulemas decided that secularism was taboo.
From this ideological underpinning, most Indonesian Muslims can be
considered Muhammadiyah-ist in their thinking to be reasoned and
utilize common sense in the practice of religion rather than blindly
importing Arabism as the basis of practicing their religiosity.
Under the chairmanship of Din Syamsuddin, Muhammadiyah has retained its
basic virtues which have allowed its leading figures to become
contributing members of the greater society. The moderate stance of
Muhammadiyah has been a bulwark against growing conservatism and those
who would corrupt the religion of peace for a personal agenda of
intolerance and violence. Greater assertiveness is expected of the
organization in this cause.
We are hopeful that Muhammadiyah members once again employ their common
sense by electing a chairman, Din or anyone else, who reflects the
nationalistic pluralistic values that embody this nation.
To do otherwise would represent a threat to the fine balance of
diversity which enriches the worlds greatest archipelago.
Muhammadiyahs new century presents greater challenges and
responsibilities. As Indonesia embarks on an open political system,
institutions like Muhammadiyah are a linchpin in the fight against
dogma. Voices of unreason will triumph and its caustic message accepted
as conventional wisdom if the likes of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama
refuse to challenge them.
We further urge that Muhammadiyah continue its independent stance
without bowing to the temptations of being prostrate to the status quo.
A position pledged by Din when he opened the congress over the weekend.
In a time when coalitions are formed for the sake of political profit,
Muhammadiyah should underline its role as a loyal critic of the
government, whoever is in power. A counterweight on the side of the
people while at the same time rejecting the temptations of delving into
the formal practical political arena.
It is an appeal as beguiling as the menace of Muhammadiyah being
infiltrated by those who would seek to exploit it for political ends.
But with 100 years of common sense and the wisdom of thousands of
learned Muhammadiyah graduates, there should be no reason that it cannot
overcome these challenges.
The past century has been an era of teaching and educating. The coming
century should be one in which Muhammadiyah raises itself as a pulpit of
enlightenment.
Congress promotes need for tolerance
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta | Fri, 07/09/2010
Muhammadiyah, the countrys largest modernist Muslim organization, must
develop programs to promote pluralism and religious tolerance, agreed
participants Wednesday on the penultimate day of the groups 46th
congress in Yogyakarta.
The congress Commission E said it saw a need to promote interfaith
cooperation, mutual tolerance and acceptance among different community
groups to help create positive social conditions.
Muhammadiyah supports and promotes pluralism but we reject pluralism
that leads to syncretism and says that all religions are the same, said
recently-re-elected Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsuddin.
As part of the community, people must recognize the existence of other
religions and be aware that there is some truth in every religion, he said.
However, people must also remember that all religions do not share the
same truths, he added.
We must recognize diversity in religion and have mutual respect for
each other and be tolerant.
However judgments on truth should be made in accordance with an
individuals faith, he said.
Lakum diinukum waliyadiin, he added, referring to a verse from the
Koran that is translated as: To you, your religion, and to me, mine.
Muslims must be oriented towards the future to meet the challenges of
the current age of technological development and Islam must be developed
with deep insight to adapt to future developments,
he said.
Substantial understanding about Islam must be developed to prevent the
religion from becoming a commodity and to stop the destruction of
Islams meaning and substance, Din added.
Muhammadiyah has been a pioneer and actively involved in creating
dialogues between nations and civilizations to promote peace on earth.
Development over time and between civilizations have increased frictions
that could lead to the birth of conflict, he said.
Cooperation and dialogue are needed to minimize the effects of friction
between civilizations. Muhammadiyah will actively take part in it, Din
added.
Din said that Muhammadiyah has been actively involved in the resolution
of the southern Philippines conflict, together with the UK, Japan and
Turkey and other social organizations.
Din added that Muhammadiyah has also been actively consulting with the
United Nations on frictions between civilizations to help improve
awareness of the importance of dialogue between civilizations.
We will gather world religious figures, businesspeople and scientists
to meet at the World Peace Forum, our third [forum], he said.
The congress recommended the use of an inverted evidence scheme as the
most effective way to fight the countrys rampant corruption.
It also recommended reform to make legal institutions independent to
help the fight against corruption and other social diseases.
Finally, the congress recommended the establishment of an economic
institution to help empower economically challenged people and
development of the nations religious character.
Muhammadiyah aims to usher in cosmopolitan Islam
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta | Wed, 07/07/2010
Entering its second century of existence according to the Islamic
calendar, Muhammadiyah vowed to promote what it called a cosmopolitan
Islam that would open up dialog and build bridges between civilizations.
The pledge was conveyed by Muhammadiyah Vice Chairman Haedar Nashir on
Monday evening as he was presenting the organizations centennial
manifesto in front of participants of Muhammadiyah and its womens
group, Aisyiyah.
Muhammadiyah conveys an Islam that says no to conflicts between
civilizations, an Islam that fosters cooperation, dialog. A cosmopolitan
Islam is a golden bridge for a dialog between the East and the West,
Haedar said.
The pledge came amid growing anti-Islam sentiment in some countries in
Europe, where Islam is portrayed as being incompatible with Western and
democratic values.
Muhammadiyah, the countrys second-largest Muslim organization, has over
the past years been working to ease tension between Islam and the
secular West.
However, theses efforts have recently been criticized as ineffectual,
with many traditionalist Muslims still perceiving the West as hostile to
Islam.
The centennial manifesto is Muhammadiyahs beacon that will guide its
future programs and actions, Haedar said.
Suppose we are walking, we need a direction, a road to walk in and
idealism or thoughts to hold to so that we will not just walk without
purpose, he said.
The five-point statement, he added, included a statement of gratefulness
to God for allowing Muhammadiyah to survive long enough to enter a
second century.
It also reflects on what the organization has achieved for the
community, the nation and the humanity over the past 100 Islamic years.
Since it was established in 1912, he said, Muhammadiyah has made
breakthroughs and reforms in the fields of religion, modern education
and had been instrumental in developing social infrastructure, including
by building educational institutions and hospitals.
Entering the second century, we have become a success story, he said
adding that the statement also identified major problems faced by the
nation and state.
All the problems are described to lead to a commitment that in entering
this second century, Insya Allah [God willing], we will continue to work
without tiredness to enlighten the community, the nation and the world,
he said.
Muhammadiyah also says in the statement that it understands Islam is not
just a set of commands and
restrictions but also as a guide for life. Therefore in the eyes of
Muhammadiyah, Islam is a way of life, he said.
Based on this notion, he continued, Muhammadiyahs take on Islam was of
a progressive Islam that would give birth to Islam as a religion of
civilization.
In terms of nationhood and humanity, the statement renews Muhammadiyahs
commitment to the country not just because of nationalism but because of
its religious belief.
As such, nationalism is neither a passive nor dogmatic doctrine but must
be manifested into love for the country that will transform Indonesia
into a developed, prosperous, sovereign and just country.
Through the statement, Muhammadiyah also renewed its pledge to bring
enlightenment to society and the nation by practicing the teachings of
Islam that are liberating, empowering and developing.
This must be reflected in the agenda of programs and actions of
Muhammadiyah, whose main character is a movement of enlightenment, he said.
Editorial: Muhammadiyah at Critical Crossroads
Indonesias second-largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, has long
been a bastion of moderate Islam in this country. Its 30 million members
hail from the urban middle class and support many of the organizations
social and educational programs.
Its forward-looking, progressive stance has been at the forefront of
improving the lives of its members. Not only does the organization run
schools, it has a university with campuses in more than 20 cities.
Acknowledging the role of women in modern society, the socio-religious
organization has also established a womens wing.
In fact, it recently endorsed a decision to allow female motorcyclists
to ferry delegates at its congress in Yogyakarta, thus rejecting an
earlier fatwa by clerics banning women from riding motorcycles.
As such, Muhammadiyah has always kept pace with the changes in societal
norms and has adopted a pragmatic approach to religion.
But as it approaches the end of its first century since being formed in
1912, Muhammadiyah is at a crossroads.
The organization, which has played such a central role in educating and
improving the social as well as economic lives of its members, must now
decide whether it will stay in politics or refocus its resources on its
grassroots work.
This is not an easy decision. The social organization entered the
political realm after the 1998 political crisis as many of its members
felt that it could achieve much more through the National Mandate Party.
Although PAN is not officially linked to Muhammadiyah, many of its
members are sourced from the organization.
All 39 candidates running for Muhammadiyahs top post have pledged that
they will quit politics if elected, thus ensuring that the organization
will cut all links to PAN even if those links are superfluous.
By returning to its original mandate, Muhammadiyah can do much more for
its members and concentrate on countering the rising threat of radical
Islam in the country.
This must be one of the top priorities of the new leadership. Given its
reach and the scope of its social activities, Muhammadiyah is well
placed to help guide its members in the right direction.
Groups such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, the nations largest
Muslim organization, have a critical role to play in denouncing
violence, even if committed by Muslims.
Both NU and Muhammadiyah have also warned against the imposition of
Shariah-based laws, noting that these could lead to the disintegration
of Indonesia as a pluralistic society.
Such statements are critical if we are to avoid the kinds of religious
and ethnic conflict that seem to affect various parts of the country.
Muhammadiyah has been instrumental in promoting inter-faith tolerance
and understanding in the country. It must continue to play this crucial
role to ensure that the countrys social fabric remains strong and intact.
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