EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MOROCCO – The Muhammadiyah Special Branch Board in Morocco (PCIM Morocco) officially launched Silsilah Ilmiah 2026, an academic and Islamic forum designed to strengthen cadre development, cultivate scholarly traditions, and advance Muhammadiyah thought among Indonesian students in Morocco.
Held from July 19 to 21, 2026, the program took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Rabat and Hayy Jami’ Dauli. The event was organized with guidance from the Council for Cadre Development and Human Resources (MPKSDI) of the Muhammadiyah Central Board.
Carrying the theme, “Developing Cadres to Serve, Striving for the Ummah,” the forum combined two flagship programs, Baitul Arqam and the Tarjih Deliberation, to prepare Muhammadiyah members with integrity, broad intellectual horizons, critical thinking skills, and the ability to address contemporary religious issues through the tradition of Progressive Islam (Islam Berkemajuan).
The opening ceremony took place at the Indonesian Embassy in Rabat. It brought together representatives of PCIM Morocco, the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s MPKSDI, embassy officials, and Indonesian students participating in Silsilah Islamiah. Their presence reflected close cooperation among Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian government, and the Indonesian student community abroad in developing future leaders.
Building Intellectual Leadership
Usamah bin Zein B. Semeer, chairperson of the organizing committee, said the forum reflects PCIM Morocco’s commitment to producing cadres who possess both a strong foundation in Islamic teachings and the ability to think critically through Muhammadiyah’s intellectual methodology.
He explained that Baitul Arqam serves as a platform for ideological formation and character building, while the Tarjih Deliberation functions as an intellectual laboratory where participants develop skills to discuss, analyze, and formulate collective responses to religious questions.
Faisal Maulana, Chairperson of PCIM Morocco, emphasized that cadre development represents a long-term investment in Muhammadiyah’s future.
In his remarks, he cited Iranian sociologist Ali Shariati, who identified four forces behind social change: great individuals, chance, systems, and human resources. According to Faisal, Muhammadiyah has chosen to strengthen the human resource dimension through a systematic approach to cadre development.
“Muhammadiyah seeks to strengthen human resources through structured cadre development. One example is the organization of Baitul Arqam as a platform for nurturing the future leaders,” he said.
Faisal added that Silsilah Ilmiah also marks the beginning of a sustainable cadre development system within PCIM Morocco. He expressed hope that the forum would produce future tarjih scholars capable of advancing Muhammadiyah’s intellectual tradition while offering solutions to contemporary challenges based on the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and Muhammadiyah’s Tarjih Methodology.
Integrating Ideology, Scholarly Traditions, and Leadership
Representing the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s MPKSDI, Azaki Khoirudin stressed that Baitul Arqam plays a vital role in shaping the ideological foundation of Muhammadiyah cadres.
He noted that Muhammadiyah is more than an organization. Rather, it is a movement built upon an integrated system of values, thought, and organizational principles that every cadre should understand comprehensively.
“Muhammadiyah cadres should not merely understand the principle of ruju’ ila al-Quran wa as-Sunnah at a normative level. They must also be able to translate it into real life through approaches that are both rational and practical,” he said.
He also praised PCIM Morocco for fostering a strong scholarly culture among Indonesian students overseas. According to him, such efforts are essential for cultivating future leaders who can carry forward the spirit of tajdid pioneered by KH Ahmad Dahlan.
The Indonesian Embassy in Rabat also expressed its support for the initiative. Representing Indonesia’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Sutawindargo, the embassy’s Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs officer, commended PCIM Morocco for helping improve the quality of Indonesian students studying abroad.
He emphasized that student success depends not only on academic excellence but also on leadership, intellectual curiosity, networking, and the ability to maintain unity amid diversity.
“Take full advantage of your time in Morocco to deepen your knowledge, language skills, cultural understanding, and leadership experience so that they may benefit both the nation and the Muslim community,” he said.
Through Silsilah Ilmiah 2026, PCIM Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to creating a cadre development model that remains relevant to contemporary challenges. By combining ideological education, academic tradition, and leadership formation within a single forum, the program aims to produce Muhammadiyah leaders who are progressive, principled, and prepared to serve the organization, the nation, and humanity. (taufik)
