MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Abdul Mu’ti, the Secretary General of Muhammadiyah, delivered an opening remark at the Global Conference on Women’s Rights in Islam held on Tuesday, May 14, at Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta. Mu’ti expressed his appreciation for the conference’s organization. He underscored the importance of such events in fostering harmony among people from diverse faiths, cultures, races, and ethnicities. He also highlighted the conference’s significance in addressing environmental issues, which are critical for ensuring the future of humanity.
The conference attracted approximately 200 participants from various countries. Mu’ti warmly welcomed all attendees, reflecting Indonesia’s rich diversity by using both English and Javanese in his greetings.
Mu’ti acknowledged that discrimination, confinement to domestic roles, and violence against women remain pressing issues that demand ongoing discussion. He emphasized that all religions, including Islam, uphold the principle of equal rights and obligations for both men and women.
While acknowledging the biological and psychological differences between men and women, Mu’ti asserted that these differences should not justify discrimination. He emphasized that both men and women were created perfectly and share a common ancestor, Adam.
Mu’ti offered a fresh perspective on Surah Al Ahzab verse 33. He explained that it does not restrict women’s mobility or roles in public spaces. Instead, it can be interpreted as an Islamic approach to establishing security in public areas, enabling women to play a wider role and contribute more significantly to society.
Mu’ti underscored Islam’s commitment to women’s education and intellectual development. He cited Aisha as an example, noting that she narrated the most hadiths after Abu Hurairah or ‘Abdurrahman bin Shakhr ad Dausi. Aisha’s legacy inspired Muhammadiyah to establish the ‘Aisyiyah women’s organization.
According to Mu’ti, Muhammadiyah’s discussions on human dignity and honor are rooted in Islamic theology and the concept of tawhid (monotheism). Mutual respect and safeguarding human dignity are commandments from Allah SWT. In the eyes of Allah SWT, the best of humankind is not determined by gender.
“In Islam,” Mu’ti stated, “the most exemplary people are those who possess the strongest piety. It is not judged based on physical appearance or material possessions.”
Concluding his speech, Abdul Mu’ti expressed his hope that this conference would strengthen human dignity, with a particular focus on women’s dignity. Muhammadiyah, as one of the hosts of the conference, is optimistic that this goal can be achieved since this movement has been working together with ‘Aisyiyah, a women’s organization established in 1917 that continues to thrive today.
‘Aisyiyah has not only endured but has also grown steadily, expanding its charitable endeavors. It currently operates universities in Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Surakarta. Additionally, ‘Aisyiyah pioneered the establishment of early childhood education institutions, which now number in the thousands and are spread across various countries.
“Currently, ‘Aisyiyah is already a very powerful force,” Mu’ti remarked. “It is not impossible that in the future, ‘Aisyiyah will be even more influential than Muhammadiyah.”
In support of the progressive women’s movement, Muhammadiyah, through its fatwas (religious rulings), also supports various initiatives undertaken by women to maximize their potential. These initiatives empower women to play a role in the public sphere, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and jointly progressive public space.
