Muhammadiyah intensifies 'Cultural Propagation'

Muhammadiyah intensifies 'Cultural Propagation'

Rita A. Widiadana
The Jakarta Post
Denpasar

Building a consensus based on its 90 years in existence,
Muhammadiyah, one of the most influential Muslim organizations in
Indonesia, is now trying to intensify its "Cultural Propagation"
to reach out all people in the multi-ethnic layers of Indonesian
society.

This was one of several important results to come from the
organization's four-day annual meeting which ended on Sunday in
Denpasar, Bali.

Muhammadiyah Chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif tried to define the
term "cultural propagation" as the dissemination of Islamic
teachings in a sophisticated, nuanced form -- wisely and modestly
-- which in the Arabic language means Al Hikmah.

Syafii quoted one of Koranic verses, An Nahl 125, which said
that Muslim people were required to strive to build relationships
with others of different cultural and religious backgrounds in
better ways.

"This could literally means in everything we do, including
spreading Islamic teachings -- we must do it politely, yet
reasonably," he said.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), another prominent Muslim organization,
is known to be more tolerant, and often adopts various pre-
Islamic traditions when spreading the religion, mostly in Java.

By contrast, Muhammadiyah has so far been recognized as a
"puritanical" movement that seeks to separate Islam from other
elements that are against the Koran and Sunnah -- Prophet
Muhammad's sayings and deeds outside the Koran.

"Pure" Islam and reasons (al-aql in Arabic) have come to be
Muhammadiyah's two most important policies.

But Syafii said that Muhammadiyah should reconsider and
redefine its policies to be more flexible in accommodating local
cultures.

"Times have changed, and we realize that Indonesia is a multi-
cultural nation. We must learn to adjust," Syafii said.

He added, however, that not everything could be changed
immediately. "If we want to disseminate Islamic teachings in one
ethnic community, we must understand that we cannot change the
people's minds instantly.

"Muhammadiyah wants to view itself as an open-minded, tolerant
religious, social and cultural organization which is able to meet
the demands of our contemporary, multi-cultural society," Syafii
stressed.

Other significant results of this year's meeting were
Muhammadiyah pledges to act as a mediator, and forceful moral
power in both domestic and international forums.

Syafii said that to bring the results of the meeting to
fruition, Muhammadiyah must soon initiate a series of meetings
with other major Muslim organizations, including NU.

"We have forgotten this -- Muhammadiyah and NU must focus more
on our unfinished work," Syafii noted.

"We should not get trapped in the interests of any political
parties or individuals. Muhammadiyah and NU must work hand-in
-hand to become Muslim organizations that can always stand as
forerunners to build a modern, peaceful and prosperous civil
society," he added.

Both Muhammadiyah and NU, which claim memberships of 30
million and 40 million respectively, will meet, together or
separately, with influential community and religious leaders to
map out a vision for the future.

The second step will be to open a trusting communication with
alleged extremist groups in Indonesia, which are considered to
have shown the "brutal and heartless," faces of Islam to the
world at large.

Syafii, however, also warned the Western world to increase its
understanding of Islam. He urged that Western governments should
build constructive dialogues with religious and prominent leaders
of the Muslim world.

"Muhammadiyah and NU are more than ready to share and open
dialogue with any interested Western countries," stressed Syafii.

Syafii said he has also been invited by two American Senators,
John Edwards and John Kyl, to attend the 50th National Prayer
Breakfast in Washington D.C. on Feb. 7.

The meeting, with U.S. President Bush in attendance, will also
include representatives from 160 countries.

"It is a pity that I cannot come to the meeting, as I will
perform Haj pilgrimage to Mecca," Syafii said, adding that he
would like to share his knowledge and experiences with people
there.

"It will also be the best forum to show the world the real
face of Islam in Indonesia," he added.

Syafii, however, insisted that Muhammadiyah should initially
concentrate on seeking precise solutions to current national
problems. "We must tidy up our own house before we can ask others
to clean up," Syafii said.