BACKGROUND
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| Indonesia flag |
Indonesia or officially
the Republic of Indonesia, is a unitary sovereign state and transcontinental country located mainly in Southest Asia. Situated between the Indian and Pacific oceans, it is the world's largest island country with more than seventeen thousand islands[1]. Indonesia is the world's 14th largest country in terms of land area and world's 7th largest country in terms of combined sea and land area. Indonesia flag is consist of red and white strips which is similar to Poland and Monaco flag. In Indonesia, the flag is also known as Sang Saka Merah Putih.
INTRODUCTION
Muhammadiyah (Arabic: Ù…Øمدية) or the full name is Pensyarikatan Muhammadiyah is a major Islamic non-governmental organization in Indonesia. The organization was foundin 1912 by Ahmad Dahlan in the city of Yogjakarta as a reformist socio-religious movement, advocating ijtihad- individual interpretation of Al-quranand Sunnah , as opposed to taqlid- the acceptance of the traditional interpretation propounded by Ulama'
The name of
Muhammadiyah has been taken from the name of our last Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W)
and followed by ya nisbiah Ù…Øمدية
at the back which mean characterizing. Judging from the name literally in fact
all Muslims are Muhammadiyah. The
word is later
became the name
of a group
or organization.
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MUHAMMADIYAH FLAG
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Every organization has their own flag and symbol to identify their identity
so same goes to this group.Muhammadiyah flag consists of a sun with the twelve rays around it. At the centre of the sun, there
is an Arabic words Ù…Øمدية and around it there is a kalimah syahadah: asyhadu an la ila ha illa Allah on top and wa asyhadu anna muhammadar rasulAllah at thr bottom.
All the symbol is white on the green
background. Each symbol has its own meaning. The symbol of the sun means the
focal point in the solar system and a source of strength of all living things
on earth. If the sun becomes source of life, Muhammadiyah is expected to be a
source of spiritual strength to Islamic values with a core of two sentences
creed (kalimah syahadah). Next, the twelve white rays are symbolized the
determination and strength of Muhammadiyah members in fighting for Islam, and
the spirit undaunted and unyielding as the apostle of prophet Isa totaling 12 ( الØواريي ). Furthermore, the white color in the
whole image of the sun symbolizes purity and sincerity and the green color is the
basic color which means peace and prosperity.
HISTORY
Muhammadiyah was founded in Kauman
Village, Yogyakarta, on Dzulhijjah 8, 1330 in Islamic calendar or November 18,
1912 by a man named Muhammad Darwis, who is at a later time known as KHA
Dahlan.He used to be a royal servant in Yogyakarta Sultanate Royal Palace in
charge of being a preacher, and he also worked as a trader. Seeing a
rigid, obstinate condition of Muslims at that moment full of mystical rituals,
he was touched to urge people to go back to real Islamic teachings based on Al
Qur’an and Hadith (the sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad). Therefore, at
the breaks of his activity as a preacher and trader, he taught religious
teachings at home.
Initially, people declined his teaching;
however, owing to his patience and resilience, his family and close friends
gradually accepted it. His trading occupation truly supported his urging, so in
a short time his teachings went beyond Kauman Village, reaching outside the
region and even Java Island. To organize his activities, he founded
Muhammadiyah organization that nowadays exists nationwide.
Ahmad Dahlan, much influenced by Egyptian
reformist Muhammad ‘Abduh, considered modernization and purification of
religion from syncretic practices were very vital in reforming this religion.
Therefore, since its beginning Muhammadiyah has been very concerned with
maintaining tawhid, and refining monotheism in society.
Apart from giving lessons/knowledge to
men, KHA Dahlan also taught women in a study forum called "Sidratul
Muntaha". At daybreak, he taught male and female children, and he taught
grown-ups at night. KHA Dahlan led Muhammadiyah from 1912 to 1922, the period
still using organizational yearly meeting system. On the 11th meeting,
Muhammadiyah was under KH Ibrahim’s chairmanship until 1934. In 1926, annual
meeting changed to yearly congress that at a later time changed to every-3-year
congress. Today, Muhammadiyah congress is held every 5 year. Muhammadiyah has
generally avoided politics. Unlike Nahdatul Ulama, it never formed a political
party. Since its establishment, it has devoted itself to educational and social
activities.
VISION
AND MISSION
The
ideal vision of Muhammadiyah is; The realization of real Islamic society.
Meanwhile, the ideal mission of Muhammadiyah are;
(1) Upholding pure Tauhid (oneness of God) based
on Al-Quran and As-Sunnah.
(2) Spreading and advancing Islamic teachings based on Al-Quran
and shahihah (authentic) As-
Sunnah.
(3) Realizing Islam in personal life, family, and society.
THE
OBJECTIVE OF LONG-TERM PROGRAMME (MUHAMMADIYAH VISSION 2025
The
objective long term of Muhammadiyah in 2025 are;
1. Create
Muhammadiyah development as an excellent Islamic movement compared to other Islamic movements in carrying
out the mission of da'wah and tajdid showed by the excellence of the movement systems,agents, leaderships and organizations, networks, enterpreneurship, and movement actions as the important and strategic factors for the realization of real Islamic society and showed by Muhammadiah roles in the dynamic living people, country and global world.
2. Implement Islamic teaching and aroused people's awareness of the excellence of the Islamic way of life that assures the realization of better social system in all walks of life as the form of the existence of Islam as the blessings for the universe and brings people to reach safety/ happiness in the world and the Hereafter.
3. Develop social, national and state lives which are more excellent marked by the development of religious life, morality, intellectuality, and social capacity; encourage the functions of social powerand governmental institutions assuring the realization of advanced, just, prosperous and dignified and sovereign state and national life under the blessing of Allah.
4. Just, peaceful, dignified global life systems, proportional role and responsibilities of Muslim people among other world community as the form of the existence of Islam as the blessings for the universe in the global world.
THE
PRINCIPLE
Intent
and purpose of Muhammadiyah was established as a religious reform movement
cannot be separated from Muhammadiyah views about the status and functions of
the Qur’an and Sunnah, reason and order of social life. As we can see, Muhammadiyah
efforts to enforce and uphold the religion of Islam that originated in Al
qu’an, Sunnah. Hence, there are some principles that they adopt in their
movement in order to make sure the Muhammadiyah Movement is in line with
syariah.
Firstly.the principle of monotheism.It
is means that Muhammadiyah
movement should be the realization of faith,oneness of God,worship Allah only. Beside
that,the principle of mercy .Muhammadiyah movement should be the realization and
execution of Islamic mercy. They must do the dakwah in a good manner and invite
people to Islam wisely. Other than that, the principle of caliphate. That
is to say that Muhammadiyah
Movement should be the elaboration and execution of caliphate function of
Muslims in life.
In addition, the principle of
benefit. Muhammadiyah movement should pay attention to public benefit. For
instance, they establish schools for students, build the hospitals and many
more. These are crucial for the betterment of ummah. Next, the principle of
flexibility .It is mean that Muhammadiyah program should be flexible and
effective by efficiently utilizing human resources. The program also must be
suitable for public in order to achieve the goal of Islamic Movement.
Last but not least,the principle of
law and justice .The execution of Muhammadiyah program should consider to the
creation of justice in society and national life. Thus, we can realized that all
the principles is planed to attain peace and harmony in the life.
ORGANIZATION
The national headquarters was originally in Yogyakarta. However, by
1970 the committees dealing with education, economics, health and social
welfare had been relocated to the national capital, Jakarta.
Muhammadiyah is supported by several autonomous organizations:
- Pemuda Muhammadiyah ( Youth )
- Nasyiatul Aisyiyah ( Young Women )
- Ikatan Pelajar Muhammadiyah ( Student association )
- Ikatan Mahasiswa Muhammadiyah (College student)
- Tapak Suci Putra Muhammadiyah (Pencak Silat)
- Hisbul Wathan (Scouting).
The central committee structure consists of five advisors, a
chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary general and some deputies, a treasurer
and some deputies, as well as several deputies of chairman.
CHALLENGES/THREATS
Every Islamic Movements must have faced a lot of challenges
throughout their work. The challenges become a part of their journey, as a
barrier that they have to face in order to achieve their goals. Muhammadiyah is
also not excepted from these challenges. Among the challenges faced by
Muhammadiyah are: the flow of secularism-materialism attacking the
world becomes a big temptation and challenge for Muhammadiyah members to
be able to strongly hold to their commitment in Muhammadiyah life and to make
Islam as a religion of rahmatan lil-‘alamin (mercy for the entire
world).
Besides,
the radical tendency in socio-political and religious movements producing
conflict and violence becomes a challenge for Muhammadiyah in offering Islamic
Movement that brings peace, light, and mercy for the entire world. The
grip of global capitalism that affects the world development and life
orientation based on profit, exploitation, material worship, and worldly
pleasure in the life of the world community also becomes a challenge to
Muhammadiyah when it affects the development of Muhammadiyah’s charity and
services to be profit-oriented and far away from the theology/ideology of
Al-Ma’un.
Lastly, ASEAN
Charter and the movement of geo-political, geo-economical, and
geo-social-cultural gravity center from Europe and North America to Asia,
especially China, can be a threat and challenge for Muhammadiyah when they are
not responded by Muhammadiyah in a concrete way. The threat is that
Muhammadiyah can be an outdated organization.
ACTIVITIES AND CONTRIBUTION
Muhammadiyah,
in The Encyclopedia of Britannica is noted as Muslim reformist organization. As
a Muslim reformist in nature, the main activities of Muhammadiyah are related
to religion and education. It has also functioned as charitable organization.
In
the aspect of education, Muhammadiyah has established two types of formal
school for early education which are the modern school and the pesantren. The
schools are the same like the government schools. Some of the modern schools
are even open to non-Muslim. And for the informal education, they also have
traditional pesantren which the teaching and learning sessions are conducted
traditionally whereby the students will sit in front of the teacher and read
the religious treatise between the lines. They have approximately 5754 schools
of these types all over Indonesia. For the higher education, they also build
Muhammadiyah universities in many regions in Indonesia. These universities
offer courses just like the other local universities. And some of the branches
even have make connection with universities outside of the country.
In
the aspect of social and charity, Muhammadiyah has built several hundreds of
medical clinics and hospital. They also have orphanages and also welfare home.
It functions to provide shelter and residential care for the needy children and
orphans. It also has been appointed by Ministry of Social and Family
Development as one of the governmental body in charge of charity and social
works. In
religious aspect, Muhammadiyah movement has their own mosques all around
Indonesia. Their mosques also function as a place for social activities.
CONCLUSION
At the moment, Muhammadiyah is the second
largest Islamic organization in Indonesia with 29 million members after the
Nahdatul Ulama. Although Muhammadiyah leaders and members are often
actively involved in shaping the politics in Indonesia, Muhammadiyah is not a
political party. It has devoted itself to social and educational activities.
Their main vision is to realize the real Islamic society and they are getting
near to achieve it.
