MUI Calls for Muslim Unity to Drive National Progress
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), KH Anwar Iskandar, has affirmed the importance of strengthening ukhuwah Islamiyah, or brotherhood among Muslims, as the main foundation for building the nation’s economic, educational and civilisational progress.
In his closing remarks at the 8th Indonesian Muslim Congress (KUII VIII), held in Jakarta on Sunday evening, Kiai Anwar emphasised that unity among the faithful should not be interpreted as an attempt to dissolve the distinct identities of each Islamic mass organisation (ormas).
He asserted that every organisation — whether Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Al-Washliyah, Persis or Hidayatullah — should retain its own institutional identity.
“When we unite, it also means living in harmony. Let NU remain NU, let Muhammadiyah remain Muhammadiyah, let Al-Washliyah remain Al-Washliyah, let Al-Wahdah remain themselves. NU does not have to become Muhammadiyah, nor the other way around,” he said.
Anwar likened the diversity of Islamic organisations to coconut-leaf stalks. If the stalks stand individually, they produce no strength whatsoever. But when gathered and bound together into a broom, a great force is created that brings benefit.
In this regard, he asserted that MUI positions itself as the binding rope that unites Islamic organisations across the archipelago into one whole strength that cannot easily be divided.
“Once we have become a force, we will use that strength to bring benefit — a benefit for the interests of the nation and state of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
Anwar said this united strength would be focused on two main aims. First, to support the government in realising an Indonesia that is advanced, independent and free of corrupt practices, in line with the spirit of implementing Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which sides with the people.
Second, he continued, this strength must be directed at changing the position of Muslims in Indonesia — a majority that has so far remained an “object” — so that they rise to become “subjects”, or the primary drivers of progress.
Anwar highlighted a persistent paradox within society: while Muslims are vast in number, they remain behind in economic reality.
He therefore invited all elements to work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation to build economic independence, improve the quality of education, and produce human resources literate in technology and science.