Reform and reformists<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah is no doubt the largest socio-educational
\norganization in Indonesia, running more than 13,000 schools and
\ndozens of hospitals, health clinics and orphanages. The 83-year-
\nold reformist group was established in 1912 to free Moslems from
\nwidespread established traditions which were not in line with
\nIslamic teachings. The organization promoted a revival of
\nreligious thought among Moslems and called for a return to the
\nbasic truths of Islam.<\/p>\n
It was quite a revolution in the Moslem way of thinking
\nwhen Muhammadiyah started building modern schools, many of which
\nused the Dutch language. And the organization grew well. It
\nprovided jobs for nationalist activists who refused to work for
\nthe Dutch administration and its schools became accepted
\nalternatives to the colonial educational institutions.<\/p>\n
With Muhammadiyah opening its 43rd congress in Banda Aceh
\ntoday, many thinking Indonesians are discussing the position
\nwhich the organization enjoys in a time of rapid change, both in
\nIndonesia and globally. Muhammadiyah remains relevant today and
\nit will grow, provided it is able to anticipate future
\nchallenges.<\/p>\n
Many believe that, in facing a turbulent future which will be
\nmarked by the growing influence of communications technology,
\nMuhammadiyah needs to look, not only far into the future, but
\nalso back, to its long history.<\/p>\n
For the past five decades, experts believe, Muhammadiyah has
\nbeen busy preserving the status quo. There have been no fresh
\nideas about how best to prepare Moslems for the 21st century. The
\norganization has not produced any new ideas on ways of addressing
\nsocial crises, while its educational institutions have become
\ncarbon copies of those of the government and are struggling with
\nproblems of quality. More lamentable is the fact that the
\norganization has failed to distance itself from the
\nestablishment.<\/p>\n
Perhaps this has happened because the organization has grown
\ntoo big and lacks the funding needed to modernize its schools. Up
\nto the 1950s, Muhammadiyah activists were successful in economic
\nactivities, such as running profitable batik factories. The
\nsituation is different now, and not only for Muhammadiyah
\ntraders.<\/p>\n
Under the current capitalistic system small businesses have
\nhad to move aside for the newly arisen giants. Large batik
\nfactories owned by Muhammadiyah leaders have faded away one by
\none. Some have tried to keep their heads above water with small
\nshops.<\/p>\n
Another question, besides that of its financial and economic
\nconstraints, is whether Muhammadiyah can respond to future
\nchallenges. The mood during the preliminary meetings of the
\ncurrent congress in Banda Aceh did not seem to point in that
\ndirection.<\/p>\n
The hustle and bustle surrounding the election of candidates
\nfor the new executive board failed to define the characteristics
\nof the kind of leaders which Muhammadiyah needs.<\/p>\n
This is no small problem because this nation is now witnessing
\ncultural contamination and a Westernization drive, both of which
\nare more serious than any tide of social pollution that has
\nwashed into this country from the West since the 17th century.<\/p>\n
Amid the globalization trend and under the current economic
\nsystem, this country is witnessing the birth of an economic
\nmiddle class whose members will produce a new generation of
\nchildren with a strongly westernized orientation. This, too, will
\npose a new challenge for Muhammadiyah, as an organization which
\nfocuses on the promotion of religious values.<\/p>\n
We hope the Muhammadiyah congress will give more thought to
\nthese problems.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reform-and-reformists-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}