Campaign for Enlightening Islam for Nation’s Civility

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BENGKULU, KOMPAS – President Joko Widodo said that Indonesia was grateful to Muhammadiyah for all the work it had produced. He said that he hoped the organization would continue to campaign for the spread of enlightening religious practices.

Ahead of the 2019 general election, the nation has strongly been affected by religious attitudes that are imbued with political fanaticism This may potentially lead to religious attitudes that are far from civility, pit fellow Indonesians against one another and sow enmity.

This is far from religion’s substantive vision to deliver mankind from darkness. Muhammadiyah, as one of the largest mass organizations in Indonesia, said that it felt responsible for spreading enlightening Islamic messages and practices.

Muhammadiyah used the “Enlightening Religiosity” concept as the theme of its Tanwir (Enlightenment) Meeting, which was opened by President Joko Widodo in Bengkulu on Friday (15/2/2019).

Attending the event were People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Zulkifli Hasan, Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara and Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy.

The President was greeted by Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir, Muhammadiyah secretary-general Abdul Mu’ti and other Muhammadiyah executives when he arrived at the meeting’s location.

In his opening speech, President Jokowi said that he appreciated Muhammadiyah for its roles. The organization, through its work, has done so much for the nation-state, from years of struggling for independence to today. Muhammadiyah has also been represented by many prominent historical figures, such as Ahmad Dahlan, Siti Walidah Dahlan, Soekarno, Fatmawati Soekarno and Kasman Singodimedjo.

“Indonesians are deeply thankful to Muhammadiyah for its work. I have visited Muhammadiyah institutions, including schools, pesantren [Islamic boarding schools], universities and hospitals,” the President said.

The President also thanked Muhammadiyah’s various wings, including women’s organization Aisyiyah and various youth and student groups.

Enlightening life

Haedar said that there were two reasons why Muhammadiyah used “Enlightening Religiosity” as the theme of this year’s meeting. First, Muhammadiyah and Muslims in general are now expected to spread Islamic messages and practices, as guided by the Quran.

Second, problematic religious understanding and practices remain rife in everyday life. This includes extremism, intolerance, takfiri (calling other Muslims with different views heathens), politicization of religion and the spreading of hoaxes and hate speeches. Such practices are in disconnect with the principle that Islam is a blessing for the universe.

Muhammadiyah wishes to revive the collective awareness of enlightening religiosity among Muslims as this is deemed important to safeguard Indonesia’s positive values such as tolerance, peace, mutual assistance and a progressive spirit.

Positive values in the mainstream of the nation are currently being undermined by small streams, which the tendency to contribute to rigid politics.

“The mainstream is often defeated by tendencies of rigid politics that divide the people and sow conflicts and hatred among them. This lead to blind fanaticism in politics that seeks only to further personal political gains,” Haedar said.

He reminded that conflict-filled politics could lead to civil wars or destruction, much like the Kurusetra or civil war between the Kediri and Jenggala kingdoms, as written by Mpu Sedah in 1157. The two kingdoms were seen as brothers as they were both ruled by descendants of King Erlangga.

“We should not follow the whims of the small streams with such Kurusetra tendencies. We believe that there are still elites with enlightened hearts and attitudes who can spread enlightenment in national politics,” Haedar said.

According to him, this could be done through mutual respect, amiability and not giving in to stubbornness or resorting to violence. The principle of amar makruf nahi mungkar, namely calling for Muslims to consistently follow the good path and leave behind wickedness, must be accompanied with kindness.

“In telling others to leave wicked ways, [Muslims] should not resort to wicked or prohibited ways,” he said.

Hope

With respect to the “Enlightening Religiosity” theme, the President said that this reflected everyone’s hope.

As a nation with 260 million people and diverse cultures and traditions, the President said that everyone should strive to preserve unity and brotherhood.

“We ask everyone to nurture and preserve unity, harmony, ukhuwah Islamiyah [Islamic brotherhood] and ukhuwah wathoniyah [national brotherhood] as these are our greatest assets,” the President said.

On the occasion, President Jokowi also talked about the government’s achievements in infrastructure development. President Jokowi also denied several rumors that had been lobbed against him.

Muhammadiyah executive Syafiq A Mughni said that he hoped the tanwir meeting would make way for ideas that could actualize positive religious values that bring benefits for everyone. “Religion prohibits us from hating one another and spreading enmity. We must return to the substance of religion,” he said.

The tanwir meeting is scheduled to talk about organizational, Muslim and national matters this Saturday and Sunday. The meeting will be closed by Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Sunday. (REK)

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islam Muhammadiyah general election campaign nation’s civility