When Slander Strikes the Founder of Muhammadiyah

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – KH Ahmad Dahlan was a fighter and educator who never gave up in spreading benefits. The founder of Muhammadiyah faced many ups and downs in life, including when he was accused of teaching infidel ideologies. People at that time did not fully accept the renewal ideas he championed. As a result, Kiai Dahlan not only faced challenges from the Dutch colonial government but also from fellow society members and Muslims with conservative views. The “infidel” accusation arose because Kiai Ahmad Dahlan established schools that taught not only religious sciences but also general knowledge. In addition, the schools he built also provided various supporting facilities, such as blackboards, desks, and chairs, which were branded as resembling the formal schools established by the Dutch East Indies government. On 7 May 1921, Kiai Ahmad Dahlan submitted an application to the Dutch East Indies government to establish Muhammadiyah branches. The application was granted on 2 September 1921. Muhammadiyah then developed rapidly from that time.