MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANTUL – The founding of Muhammadiyah in the early 20th century stands as a landmark achievement in Indonesian education. Agung Danarto, Chairperson of Muhammadiyah, spoke at a Ramadan preaching, highlighting the organization’s transformative impact on knowledge access.
Speaking on April 3rd at the Al Muttaqin Mosque, Agung emphasized the stark educational disparity under Western colonialism. Most Indonesians received limited schooling through Tweede Inlandsche School (Sekolah Ongko Loro), with higher education a privilege reserved for the elite.
“Muhammadiyah recognized the critical need to educate the nation,” Agung explained. “One of our core missions became establishing schools throughout Indonesia, providing Muslims with vital educational opportunities.”
This educational movement, Agung argued, was a direct response to the Quran’s very first command: “Read” (iqra’). He underscored that reading, in this context, extends beyond the Quran itself.
“As the first verse of the Quran,” Agung said, “iqra’ cannot solely refer to reading the Quran, which wasn’t yet complete at the time. This command urges Muslims to embrace knowledge in its broadest sense.”
Agung pointed to the flourishing centers of learning in ancient Greece, Rome, Persia, and China, existing concurrently with the Quran’s revelation. He argued that the call to read also encourages Muslims to engage with knowledge from these great civilizations.
Furthermore, Agung explained that this emphasis on reading serves as a foundation for Muslim mastery of civilization itself. Muhammadiyah’s early focus on education, he said, stemmed from this understanding – a desire to empower historically marginalized communities through learning.
Today, Muhammadiyah boasts a vast network of educational institutions, encompassing kindergartens to high schools, spread throughout Indonesia. Their influence extends beyond national borders, with schools established overseas.
Muhammadiyah is also a leader in integrating Islamic education with secular knowledge. Their schools embrace learning from the West, while fostering a strong religious foundation that promotes continuous progress.
Muhammadiyah’s legacy extends far beyond its institutional reach. The organization’s dedication to education and knowledge transformation has had a profound impact on shaping Indonesia’s intellectual landscape.
