TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
VP calls for synergy between govt and Muhammadiyah
Vice President Boediono on Thursday officially closed the six-day congress of Muhammadiyah with a call for cooperation between the country’s second-largest Muslim organization and the government
Change Size
V
ice President Boediono on Thursday officially closed the six-day congress of Muhammadiyah with a call for cooperation between the country’s second-largest Muslim organization and the government.
Muhammadiyah and the government, he said, shared the same vision and mission: creating prosperity for all people.
“I ask ministers to actively engage with Muhammadiyah on steps we can take together,” Boediono told the gatherings participants, including those from the organization’s women’s wing Aisyiyah and youth wing Muhammadiyah Student Association (IPM).
Boediono, himself an alumnus of a Muhammadiyah school in his hometown of Blitar, expressed hope that the organization would be much stronger and firmer in dealing with the challenges of the globalized era as it entered its second century of existence (in the Islamic calendar) since its founding in 1920.
The Vice President hailed Muhammadiyah’s strong foundations for playing an important role in creating harmony among the community.
“Without a strong foundation, Muhammadiyah would collapse,” Boediono said.
Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X cited Muhammadiyah as one of four elements contributing to the development of the region along with Tamansiswa, Gadjah Mada University and Yogyakarta Palace.
Hailing it as a reformist, dynamic, progressive and modern organization, he said he hoped it continued its contribution, especially to cultural preaching.
“Be progressive santri [Islamic boarding school students],” the Sultan said.
Muhammadiyah Chairman Din Syamsuddin said the organization was ready to cooperate with a number of ministries as part of the organization’s far-reaching programs in nation building.
“This proves that there is no conflict between Muhammadiyah and the government. There cannot be conflict between us as we need one another,” he said.
Prior to the congress, Din was criticized by Amien Rais, his predecessor and former presidential candidate, for what he called “sour relations between Muhammadiyah and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration”, which Amien blamed for the President’s absence from the congress’ opening ceremony.
Any criticism by Muhammadiyah of the government, Din said, should be viewed as a form of love as a true friend. “True friends are not those who always praise you. True friends are not afraid of giving advice.”
The congress drew 20 foreign researchers.
“I was so impressed by the opening ceremony where tens of thousands of enthusiastic people crowded not only inside but also outside the stadium. I decided to stay and follow the congress,” said Diana Coleman from Arizona State University.
Coleman was a participant at the World Peace Forum that Muhammadiyah helped organize in Yogyakarta prior to the congress.
“From the congress, I can see that there is such a strong emotional attachment within members of Muhammadiyah toward to the organization, something that I didn’t see before,” said Korean anthropologist Hyung Jun-kim, who is researching Muhammadiyah.
