MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre and Human Resources (MPKSDI) Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan highlighted that Muhammadiyah literacy movement is not just about ideas but is deeply rooted in the organization’s structure and mission.
Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre and Human Resources (MPKSDI), highlighted this during the Muhammadiyah Corner (MuhCor) Fest 2024 at the University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) Library.
“One of Muhammadiyah’s greatest contributions is literacy, which was referred to as ‘enlightening the nation,’ in the early 1990s,” said Bachtiar at the Muhammadiyah Corner (MuhCor) Fest 2024 at the University Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) Library on Saturday, January 25.
Muhammadiyah dedication to literacy dates back to its early years, when it introduced Taman Pustaka (a library). One of the first councils formed within the organization was the Majelis Pustaka, now known as the Council for Publication and Information (MPI).
“Imagine that in the 1900s, Muhammadiyah was already running large-scale literacy projects. These were not just ideas but structured initiatives embedded in the organization. Institutionalizing ideas allows them to have a greater and more lasting impact,” Bachtiar explained.
From an innovation perspective, Muhammadiyah literacy movement is part of its broader mission to educate and advance society. To ensure its sustainability, Bachtiar emphasized the need to expand and strengthen literacy initiatives through institutions.
“If literacy efforts are not quickly embraced by civil movements, such as community reading centers, they risk falling into the ‘valley of death.’ The ideas exist, but if they are not widely adopted and used by society, they will eventually disappear,” said Bachtiar.
For over a century, Muhammadiyah has nurtured and promoted literacy, a key reason it is recognized as a modern organization. Its literacy programs take various forms, including Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah educational institutions, from kindergartens to universities. Other initiatives include the Majelis Pustaka dan Informasi (MPI), university libraries, and community reading groups. These efforts ensure that literacy remains a power of progress.
Bachtiar concluded by stressing the importance of making literacy accessible to the public in modern formats. This is one of the ways to strengthen Muhammadiyah literacy movement and keep it relevant in today’s world.
