MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir underscored the importance of silaturahmi (strengthening brotherhood) in preserving Indonesia’s rich socio-cultural ecosystem. He highlighted the nation’s remarkable cultural diversity, which has given rise to a captivating religious landscape.
“Indonesia’s socio-cultural ecosystem is indeed exceptionally rich. Spirituality and divine values permeate Indonesian society.” said Haedar in a gathering of the Muhammadiyah members at the Sportorium of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) on Sunday, April 28.
Haedar delved into Indonesia’s historical trajectory, highlighting the nation’s transition from animistic and dynamic beliefs to the eventual predominance of Hinduism and Buddhism. The cultural influence of these religions remains deeply embedded in the roots of Indonesian society.
However, the arrival of Islam ushered in a transformative era of peace, establishing Indonesia as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population. Haedar emphasized that Islam in Indonesia is deeply intertwined with culture, as exemplified by the Shawwal tradition, which has become an integral part of Indonesian culture.
Haedar expressed his profound gratitude for Indonesia’s divine blessings, emphasizing that silaturahmi serves as a tangible manifestation of respect and preservation for the nation’s cultural diversity.
In Shawwal, Indonesia is abuzz with festivities, and mosques come alive with the harmonious melodies of azan and the diverse recitations of the Quran echoing across the land. These vibrant displays constitute the inseparable essence of Indonesia’s rich Islamic heritage.
In the cultural context, Haedar stressed the imperative of safeguarding these traditions from the encroaching influence of secularism, which poses a threat to the erosion of religious and cultural values. He urged the gathering to seize the opportunity of Shawwal tradition to collectively protect and nurture the cultural heritage that forms an integral part of the nation’s identity.
Haedar further addressed the challenges posed by certain internal Islamic groups driven by modernist zeal, who often question and criticize Islamic cultural practices. For Muhammadiyah, Haedar reiterated the imperative of preserving Islamic culture to prevent it from being undermined by modernistic and secularistic ideologies that threaten the continuity of Islamic values in the future.
Haedar also addressed the challenges posed by internal factions within Islam, driven by modernist zeal, who often question Islamic cultural practices. For Muhammadiyah, Haedar reiterated the crucial role of preserving Islamic culture to prevent it from being undermined by modernistic and secularistic ideologies that could jeopardize the continuity of Islamic values in the future.
“Let us, through this silaturahmi, cultivate our Islamic culture, bringing it to life and integrating it into our daily lives. Let us not allow it to wither and vanish from this land,” said Haedar.
Haedar’s message serves as a clarion call to strengthen Islamic culture, uphold Islamic values in daily life, and remain vigilant against influences that could diminish the richness of Indonesia’s Islamic cultural and spiritual heritage.
