MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – ‘Aisyiyah reaffirmed its commitment to progressive Islamic outreach through arts and culture at the closing event of the ‘Aisyiyah Arts and Culture Festival (FeSiBA) 2026.
The Festival, organized by the Central Board of ‘Aisyiyah through its Department of Culture, Arts, and Sports (LBSO), was held on Saturday (10/01) at the Saraswati Auditorium of the Center for Cultural Arts Development and Quality Assurance in Yogyakarta.
Widyastuti, Chairperson of LBSO PP ‘Aisyiyah, said that da’wah through art, culture, and sports is not new to the organization. She noted that since the early 2000s, ‘Aisyiyah has formally integrated cultural perspectives into its movement through the establishment of LBSO.
“Since that period, culture has become part of ‘Aisyiyah’s way of thinking,” she said. “From our perspective, culture is inseparable from human life.”
Carrying the theme Advancing and Preserving Arts and Culture, Widyastuti emphasized that ‘Aisyiyah remains committed to expanding the spectrum of its outreach by engaging creative expression and cultural practices. She, then, added that LBSO’s work aligned to the 1995 fatwa of Muhammadiyah Council for Tarjih and Tajdid. It becomes the principles for engaging with culture and arts.
Moreover, she expressed hope that FeSiBA would serve as an entry point for conveying ethical and spiritual messages through artistic forms that are both meaningful and accessible.
Meanwhile, Sarjilah, chairperson of the FeSiBA organizing committee, said that ‘Aisyiyah’s cultural outreach focuses on preserving noble values embedded in local cultural philosophies. At the same time, its development aims at universal well-being through creativity and progressive renewal.
“Through LBSO, it is only fitting that ‘Aisyiyah introduces, preserves, and develops Indonesia’s rich cultural and ethnic heritage,” she said. “FeSiBA is one concrete effort to advance and sustain arts, culture, and sports within that vision.” (Bintang Adrian)
