112th Anniversary of Muhammadiyah: Bringing Prosperity for All

THE CENTRAL BOARD OF MUHAMMADIYAH

PRESS CONFERENCE

TANWIR AND THE 112TH ANNIVERSARY OF MUHAMMADIYAH

“BRINGING PROSPERITY FOR ALL”

Muhammadiyah is set to convene its Tanwir National Meeting from December 4 to 6, 2024, in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Tanwir, the second-highest national meeting of Muhammadiyah after Muktamar (the Muhammadiyah congress), will gather 350 representatives from the Central Board, Provincial Boards, and autonomous organizations.

Muhammadiyah will also celebrate its 112th anniversary, which officially falls on November 18. The combined events aim to enhance efficiency and broaden the outreach of Muhammadiyah message.

The opening ceremony of Tanwir and the anniversary reception will take place on December 4 at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Kupang (UMK). Muhammadiyah has extended an invitation to President Prabowo Subianto to officially open the event and deliver a keynote speech. The opening ceremony will be attended by Tanwir members, participants, and monitors, Muhammadiyah members, national elites, leaders, and locals.

Kupang is selected as the venue of the Tanwir due to several considerations. First, it aims to support and recognize the progress achieved by Muhammadiyah NTT and UMK in advancing the region and its people. Second, it is addressed to enhance Muhammadiyah efforts in education, healthcare, social services, empowerment, and other programs in improving people’s life. Third, it is intended to collaborate with all elements to undertake national prosperity movements in NTT and throughout Indonesia. 

“Menghadirkan Kemakmuran untuk Semua” (Bringing Prosperity for All) becomes the theme of the anniversary celebration and Tanwir. Prosperity refers to a state that national wealth is equitably utilized for the well-being of all citizens. It is a condition of a state whose people have physical and spiritual happiness because their needs are met. 

The idea of prosperous Indonesia is closely tied to the vision of “Gemah Ripah Loh Jinawi”—a country with fertile land and a society that is peaceful, harmonious, safe, just, and prosperous. This ideal of prosperity also aligns with the Islamic concept of ‘Baldatun Thayyibatun Warabbun Ghafur,’ a good land and a forgiving Lord (Saba’: 15).

Muhammadiyah, through the Tanwir and anniversary celebration, conveys messages, thoughts, and hopes as follows: 

1. Prosperity is one of the goals of Indonesia, as enshrined in the 1945 Constitution which is independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous. Achieving prosperous Indonesia is a constitutional mandate and a collective aspiration of the Republic of Indonesia that the government and all institutions of the state must strive for. In particular, Indonesia’s prosperity is often linked to the vision of a just and prosperous nation, where prosperity and justice go hand in hand. 
2. Indonesia’s prosperity must be shared by all its people, in line with the spirit of the Fifth Principle of Pancasila, which is “Social Justice for All Indonesians.” Indonesia’s prosperity belongs to all citizens, as outlined in Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which states, “The land and waters and the natural wealth contained in it shall be controlled by the state and utilized for the optimal welfare of the people.” Indonesia’s prosperity must not be limited to a small group of people, while the majority live below the poverty line and remain in hardship. In his speech on June 1, 1945, at the Investigating Committee for the Preparation of Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI), Soekarno firmly declared, “Indonesia is not a country for one person, nor for a particular group, even if it is a wealthy group. We are establishing a country where ‘all for all, one for all, and all for one’.” According to Bung Hatta, Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution is the “cornerstone of the economic and social politics of the Republic of Indonesia,” which promotes an economy based on the principles of mutual cooperation, such as cooperatives and mutual aid, and opposes all forms of “individualism and capitalism.”
3. The government plays a central role in the development that leads to prosperity based on the constitution, as President Prabowo Subianto emphasized, “In building the economy, saving the nation, creating prosperity, and reducing poverty, the government must lead the way. The government cannot merely act as a referee. This is the difference between neoliberalism and a constitutional economy.” Government officials, from the central to local levels, across all institutions and agencies, must enforce the constitution as a guiding policy to achieve the prosperity of the people. Prosperity should not be for a select few or particular groups, while the majority of the population remains in poverty.
4. The Muhammadiyah vision of “Bringing Prosperity for All” reflects understanding that prosperity encompasses both material and spiritual well-being, available to all people without discrimination. A prosperous nation is one where the land is fertile and well-managed. Its people are faithful, pious, knowledgeable, and engaged in righteous actions for the collective good. All citizens lead lives of integrity, morality, and high civilization, while steering clear of wrongdoing, corruption, and harm to the earth.
5. As stated in the Matan Keyakinan dan Cita-Cita Hidup (Corpus of Creed and Life Goals of Muhammadiyah) of 1969, Muhammadiyah invites all Indonesians, who are blessed by Allah with a land rich in resources, independence, and the Republic of Indonesia founded on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, to work together toward building a just and prosperous nation, one that is favored by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala: Baldatun Thayyibatun Warabbun Ghafur. Muhammadiyah is dedicated to consistently working towards the tangible realization of prosperity for the nation. Muhammadiyah is committed to continuously striving to achieve prosperity for the nation.
6. Muhammadiyah continues to strengthen and enhance the intensity and quality of its efforts across various sectors, particularly through its institutions and in the economy, to bring prosperity for all elements of society, including the most remote, disadvantaged, and underdeveloped areas. In its mission to create national prosperity, Muhammadiyah sees it as part of a broader effort, focusing on nurturing faith and piety, cultivating good character, advancing knowledge and technology, and fostering initiatives in all areas of life. Its leaders are dedicated and relentless, driven by sincerity, service, determination, patience, and a spirit of excellence, working systematically through a progressive organizational movement to achieve the prosperity of the nation.
7. Muhammadiyah is committed to making “Prosperous Indonesia” an integral part of the vision for the “Pancasila State of Darul Ahdi Wa Syahadah.” Muhammadiyah works diligently to establish Indonesia as a nation that is devoted to building a meaningful national life, striving for prosperity in every aspect of society. The organization consistently collaborates (ta’awun) with the government and all national stakeholders to advance the well-being of the nation through creativity, innovation, and strategic efforts. Muhammadiyah has been actively involved in efforts to promote the prosperity of Indonesia both before and after independence. In the most remote, frontier, and underdeveloped regions, Muhammadiyah has played a key role in fostering self-reliance, helping to advance and improve the lives of local communities.
8. The Muhammadiyah movement of “Bringing Prosperity for All” is closely tied to the vision of building “Progressive Indonesia.” Indonesia truly has the foundational assets to become a nation that is advanced, just, prosperous, sovereign, and dignified. This is supported by numerous positive facts about the country. However, these vast resources and potential have not been managed optimally and are often wasted, causing the nation to lose valuable opportunities for rapid progress, while also giving rise to complex issues. The challenges hindering Indonesia’s prosperity include corruption, abuse of power, reckless exploitation of natural resources, and a lack of strong character in some elements of the population and the national elite. As a result, Indonesia frequently misses chances to become a prosperous and progressive nation.
9. The movement of “Bringing Prosperity for All” necessitates the presence and active role of Indonesian leaders who are truly honest, trustworthy, virtuous, highly ethical, broad-minded, and determined in their pursuit of “Prosperous Indonesia.” These leaders should possess the qualities of statesmanship and heroism, putting the welfare of the people above personal interests, cronyism, dynastic power, or group agendas. At the same time, they should uphold the core values of Pancasila, religion, and national culture, embodying these principles through real-life examples in order to bring the goals of Indonesia to life.
10. Muhammadiyah calls on every citizen to actively participate in serving and building a prosperous nation and state. Citizens should embrace a mindset of self-reliance, hard work, responsibility, intelligence, knowledge, and self-belief. They should steer clear of selfish, hedonistic, and opportunistic attitudes. Instead, they should strive to be faithful, pious, kind-hearted, and caring for others, all while working together for the collective prosperity of society.
11. On the occasion of its 112th anniversary, Muhammadiyah encourages all members and leaders to use this historic milestone as a moment for reflection, evaluation, and forward-thinking projection of the movement’s work. Muhammadiyah has long been engaged in efforts to improve the lives of the people, the nation, and humanity as a whole. Through its work in education, healthcare, social services, economy, and all its other initiatives, Muhammadiyah focus has always been on fostering the prosperity of the nation. This prosperity is envisioned as a holistic and comprehensive well-being, encompassing both material and spiritual aspects—worldly and otherworldly, physical and inner peace. In order to achieve this, Muhammadiyah should continue to grow more competitive, reflecting its progressive movement. With vast potential and resources, Muhammadiyah is uniquely positioned to drive the advancement and prosperity of Indonesia and the global community through its institutions and tajdid which have been carried out systematically. Now, it is time to unite and optimize all of these potentials, strengths, and resources, creating a dynamic momentum for the movement and involving every component and level of the organization. Let us move forward together, strengthening Muhammadiyah to be at the forefront of efforts for the well-being of the people, the nation, and humanity as a whole.
12. Muhammadiyah will have successfully sustained its movement for over a century and advanced its mission of “Bringing Prosperity for All” and efforts if its leaders can optimally support and play as the main actors. Leadership within Muhammadiyah is key to advancing every aspect of life based Islamic values and turns the Pancasila State as Darul Ahdi Wa Syahadah in real life. All leaders of Muhammadiyah, from the central board to the branches, along with all its affiliated organizations, should move dynamically and progressively. They should be supported by a broad, forward-thinking vision to address the increasingly complex challenges facing the community, the nation, and humanity. Leaders should be agents of renewal and change, guiding the movement towards progress and making Muhammadiyah a leading and progressive force in all areas of life, bringing blessings to the entire world.

May Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala grant His protection, guidance, and blessing to the people of Indonesia, guiding them towards the fulfillment of ‘Prosperous Indonesia” which is “Baldatun Thayyibatun Warabbun Ghafur. Nashrun min Allah wa Fathun Qarib.

The press release can be downloaded here.