EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Muhammadiyah Central Board, through its Department of International Relations and Cooperation (LHKI), welcomed a delegation from Yedi Hilal, a Turkish youth organization, to its headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/7). The meeting explored opportunities for collaboration in youth development, leadership, education, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation.
The Yedi Hilal delegation included Tarık Ziyd Kanadıkırık of Marmara University, Ahmet Salih Yıldız of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Yusuf Kerem Taştan of Sakarya University, and Nanda Kurniawan, Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Special Branch Board in Turkey (PCIM Turkey).
They were received by Imam Addaruqutni, Chairman of LHKI PP Muhammadiyah, accompanied by Endang Zakaria and Ai Fatimah. Representatives from the Central Board of the Muhammadiyah Student Association (IMM) and Muhammadiyah Youth Association also attended the meeting.
Shared Vision for Youth Development
During the discussion, the Yedi Hilal delegation introduced their organization. Founded in Istanbul in 2012 Yedi Hilal emerged as a youth movement committed to nurturing a generation grounded in knowledge, moral character, and Islamic values.
They also presented several flagship programs, including Seven Beautiful Readings, which promotes intellectual engagement through reading; Commercial School, an entrepreneurship development initiative; and various technology-focused programs supported through participation in Teknofest, Turkey’s leading technology and innovation festival.
Responding to the presentation, Imam Addaruqutni welcomed the opportunity to strengthen ties between Muhammadiyah and Yedi Hilal. He noted that the two organizations share similar visions, providing a strong foundation for meaningful cooperation in developing future Muslim leaders.
“This collaboration can take the form of youth exchange programs, leadership development, educational initiatives, entrepreneurship training, and technological innovation that benefit young people in both countries,” he said.
He added that the partnership could be implemented through Muhammadiyah’s autonomous youth organizations, including Muhammadiyah Youth and the Muhammadiyah University Student Association (IMM), both of which already maintain international networks.
Strengthening Women’s Empowerment and International Collaboration
During the discussion, Ai Fatimah highlighted similarities between Yedi Hilal’s model of women’s development and the work of ‘Aisyiyah, Muhammadiyah’s women’s organization.
“‘Aisyiyah is an integral part of Muhammadiyah,” she explained. “Although it has its own leadership and programs, it works alongside Muhammadiyah in advancing Islamic outreach, education, healthcare, and community empowerment.”
She noted that while ‘Aisyiyah operates with an independent organizational structure, it remains a vital component of Muhammadiyah’s broader movement through its educational institutions, social services, and community development programs.
Beyond discussing potential partnerships, participants also exchanged views on organizational structures, leadership development systems, the relationship between civil society organizations and government, and strategies for preparing young Muslims to address contemporary challenges while remaining firmly rooted in Islamic values.
The meeting concluded with both Muhammadiyah and Yedi Hilal agreeing to maintain close communication and further explore collaborative initiatives. They expressed hope that the visit would serve as the foundation for broader cooperation in youth development, education, and international leadership capacity building. (Taufik)
