MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BRAZIL – The Secretary General of Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti spoke about “Rebuilding from COVID-19” at the 2024 G20 Interfaith Forum and PaRD Annual Forum on Religion and Sustainable Development conducted in Brazil on August 19-22, 2024. Mu’ti shared Muhammadiyah experiences in building disaster resilience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mu’ti highlighted that Indonesia was one of the most successful countries in handling COVID-19 pandemic. The success was determined by comprehensive strategies and policies involving actors and sectors from government and active civic participation, including Muhammadiyah.
“During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Muhammadiyah organized programs to help victims and build conducive spiritual, social, cultural, and physical environments to ease the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild mental health and economy,” said Mu’ti on Wednesday, August 21.
As for organization, Muhammadiyah set up Muhammadiyah COVID-19 Command Center (MCCC) whose main duty and responsibility are to coordinate Muhammadiyah policies and programs for COVID-19.
“Theologically, Muhammadiyah issued fatwa and spiritual protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic which contained theological foundation in understanding pandemic, performing rituals during the pandemic, and practical guidance to avoid the spread of pandemic,” said Mu’ti.
Muhammadiyah also involved more than 22,000 volunteers from medical doctors, psycho-social consultants, nurses, as well as reliefs and rescues based in 82 hospitals and all structure of Muhammadiyah leadership from national to local levels.
Besides providing shelters, Muhammadiyah with partners from governments, companies, international agencies, and interfaith organizations organized mass vaccinations, public education, and community development.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be over, Indonesia remains a vulnerable country of diseases. Located in the ring of fire, Indonesia is at risk of natural disasters. Besides, there are man-made disasters such as floods, landslides, and forest-fire. Other diseases that are resulted from individual unhealthy habits such as tuberculosis, diabetes, HIV-AIDS, and heart-attacks. Recently, there are an increasing number of mental health problems. The number of people who commit suicide, get depression, and suffer psychological disorders tend to escalate in many age groups including children and teenagers.
Mu’ti mentioned what religious and interfaith organizations can do to build a healthy society.
First, they can strengthen the roles of religions and faiths as guidance for life and meaningful problem solving.
“This could be possible by reinterpretation of religious texts that are progressive and contextual as well as making sense of religious doctrines for everyday life,” said Mu’ti.
Second, the religious and interfaith organizations can build understanding and awareness on diseases through public education involving educators, religious leaders, influences, civil societies, and so on. It is also important to build a healthy lifestyle by strengthening the roles of families, neighborhood, schools, youth organizations, and public facilities as conducive environments for physical, social, and spiritual health.
Third, they can develop partnerships among governments, international agencies, as well as faith organizations in disaster resilience. Such partnerships might include disaster mitigation, mental readiness, and genuine community participation. Building a healthy society is not only dependent on sophisticated medical technology but also the mindset and mentality of people on disaster and how they can save and survive themselves and the universe.
Fourth, they can utilize national or local traditions. In the Indonesian context, there is a gotong royong tradition, meaning working together or hand in hand for goodness and common good.
