MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, YOGYAKARTA – General Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir stated that existence of a Muhammadiyah Professor Forum is essential to support development and monitor missions of tajdid (renewal) of Muhammadiyah so that this movement can be the greatest modern Islamic power in the second century of its establishment.
“We expect that ar-raskhuna fil ilmi, who are Muhammadiyah professors, to have a collective synergy to achieve the goals,” declared Haedar in a virtual meeting of Muhammadiyah professors of Jawa Barat on Wednesday (26/8).
He also wished the professors could foster a center of excellence owned by Muhammadiyah from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, boarding schools, and higher education.
The professors may also possess excellent knowledge in their area of interest and play new roles in this movement to become an Islamic dakwah andtajdidmovement.
Haedar maintained that Muhammadiyah founding fathers and figures have coined a number of huge notions and bases.
One of the thoughts taught by Kiai Ahmad Dahlan, a founder of Muhammadiyah was a big leap. He was born in a traditional Islamic culture adhered to Palace of Yogyakarta, resided in Mecca twice when Saudi Arabia was under the regime of Wahhabi. Nevertheless, he went home to be a mujaddid (one who brings renewal to the religion) and reformer.
At the age of 20, Ahmad Dahlan adjusted the qibla in 1889, initiated modern Islamic education,, spearheaded anAl-Maun movement by establishing hospitals, health centers, zakat management centers, and a literacy movement in 1915. Besides, together with his wife Nyai Walidah, he founded women’s movement ‘Aisyiyah in 1917.
According to Haedar, it was a novel phenomenon that Muhammadiyah could build women’s Islamic movement without learning western emancipation. It showed that Islam can present equality between women and men to become brilliant, developed, and powerful to reach the independence of Indonesia.
Progressive thoughts of Kyai Dahlan and other figures of other movements such as HOS Tjokroaminoto appealed Soekarno so that in 1930 Soekarno officially became a member of Muhammadiyah.
Haedar hoped that the views can always flourish so that leaders of Indonesia have thoughts and understanding of progressive Islam.
“Muhammadiyah has turned a dakwahmovement disseminating Islam so that it becomes a modern religion which can stay as our state of mind,” conveyed Haedar.
Besides, Muhammadiyah figures should always bring tajdid (renewal) out of the box.
“Thus, it would be wise for ar-raskhuna fil ilmito evolve the thoughts whose bases have been created by Muhammadiyah founding fathers so that this movement can be more progressive in the future,” expressed Haedar.