Muhammadiyah's Baitul Arqam at Khairu Ummah Strengthens the Shariah-Compliant Economy of the Ummah

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – As part of guidance for Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah cadres, Baitul Arqam focuses on fostering Islamic ideological leadership. This aim is to be achieved in the Baitul Arqam organised by the Khairu Ummah Group Sharia Cooperative.

Located in Leuwiliang, Bogor, on Saturday to Sunday (7–8 March 2026), the activity was attended by local leaders and employees. With the theme ‘Ramadan Momentum for Strengthening Consolidation’, the Baitul Arqam became a moment to strengthen organisational consolidation and at the same time reaffirm Islamic sharia values in the institution’s operations.

Chairman of the Khairu Ummah Sharia Cooperative, Pepi Januar Pelita, said that organizational transformation is not only related to changes in systems and structures, but also alignment of collective awareness.

‘Structural changes can be implemented quickly, but changes in awareness require a serious consolidation process. Therefore, Baitul Arqam serves as a space to unite vision, values, and the direction of work,’ said the lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bogor Raya, quoted from a written statement on Sunday (8/3/2026).

In the session, Assoc. Dr. Faozan Amar emphasised the importance of Shariah compliance in the operations of Sharia financial institutions. According to him, compliance is not merely an administrative attribute, but a fundamental principle that safeguards the institution’s sustainability.

‘Shariah compliance is the foundation that maintains service quality, strengthens risk mitigation, and preserves the trust of members who have entrusted their amanah to the institution,’ said the Deputy Chair of the Muhammadiyah Central Welfare Development Council (MPKS) of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership.

In his presentation, he also explained that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in Sharia institutions must be understood as part of the amanah and work ethos.

‘SOP is not merely a technical rule, but also a form of responsibility in safeguarding members’ trust and ensuring the institution’s operations run in accordance with Sharia principles,’ he explained.

At the end of the Baitul Arqam session, participants expressed a joint commitment known as the ‘Kopkhu Commitment’. This served as a mutual understanding to maintain integrity and Shariah compliance in every work activity.

Chair of the Khairu Ummah Group Cooperative Supervisory Board, Muhdam Kamaludin, stated that Baitul Arqam is part of strengthening values and work culture within the cooperative environment.

‘Baitul Arqam is one form of strengthening employees’ understanding of the essence of working in a Sharia cooperative, not only as an economic activity but also as part of service,’ he said.

Chair of the Muhammadiyah Branch Leadership Leuwiliang (PCM Leuwiliang) Dede Muslimin affirmed that working in a Sharia economic institution is part of Muhammadiyah’s Dawa in the economic field.

‘Working in a Sharia cooperative is part of the economic Dawa to bring welfare to the umat,’ he said.

With the holding of Baitul Arqam, Khairu Ummah Group hopes all employees will increasingly understand the ideological values and Sharia principles that underpin the service to the community.