MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah has been practicing religious moderation long before it became a popular term, according to Vice Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Religious Preaching, Adi Hidayat.
Speaking at the public lecture on ‘Religious Moderation in the Sharia Guidance in the Postmodern Era’ on Thursday, September 5 at Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Adi Hidayat emphasized Muhammadiyah’s commitment to inclusivity and tolerance.
He highlighted the inclusivity of Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah educational institutions. These universities are not exclusive to Muslims. Students from all religious backgrounds are welcomed to study there, reflecting the organization’s commitment to interfaith harmony.
Adi Hidayat encouraged students to embrace diversity and interact with people from different backgrounds. Muhammadiyah has already mastered the concept of religious moderation.
This inclusive approach is applied beyond educational institutions. Muhammadiyah hospitals also serve patients of all faiths without discrimination.
“Muhammadiyah hospitals are a great example of religious moderation in action. We don’t let religious beliefs affect how we treat patients or how our staff dress,” said Adi Hidayat.
Adi Hidayat emphasized that while Muhammadiyah has been practicing religious moderation for many years, there is still a need to promote these values more widely.
“We need to share our experiences with the world and demonstrate how Muhammadiyah is living out the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The spirit of enlightenment and progress should be our guiding principles as we continue to promote Muhammadiyah’s values,” said Adi Hidayat.