Muhammadiyah intensifies its '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.