EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, LONDON – Members of the Indonesian Muhammadiyah Diaspora in the United Kingdom took part in the Muslim Scouts Fellowship (MSF) International Jamboree, held from July 23 to 26, at Gilwell Park in Waltham Abbey, London.
The MSF Jamboree 2026 carried the theme “Pave Your Path,” focusing on youth leadership development through the service to others, resilience, and self-confidence, independence, and a strong sense of faith-based identity in facing future challenges.
For the Muhammadiyah diaspora, the event provided a valuable opportunity to broaden their understanding of scouting, build connections with international Muslim scouting communities, and learn best practices in youth development.
Ince Dian Aprilyani Azir, chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Special Branch Board (PCIM) in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said Muhammadiyah cadres’ participation in the MSF Jamboree marked an initial step toward strengthening the scouting tradition among the Muhammadiyah diaspora.
“We hope that through the contributions of the Muhammadiyah diaspora, Muslim Scout groups can grow in the cities where our diaspora communities live,” she said in a written statement on Saturday (1/8).
According to Ince Dian, Muhammadiyah cadres’ involvement in the international scouting community should go beyond participation in individual events. Instead, it should serve as a foundation for developing a more organized scouting movement in the future.
“We hope the presence of Muhammadiyah cadres will become a starting point for Hizbul Wathan to eventually establish itself and fly its flag in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In this way, Muhammadiyah can contribute more broadly to Muslim youth character development through scouting,” Ince Dian added.
Learning Through International Scouting
Meanwhile, Naura, a Muhammadiyah diaspora representative who participated in the MSF Jamboree 2026, also serves as a Young Leader at the 8th Goodmayes Scouts Group. She said her experience as part of the Jamboree’s Core Programme Team and Guardian Zone was especially valuable.
“Being part of the Core Programme Team in the Guardian Zone and helping prepare programs for an event of this scale was an incredible opportunity. Seeing everything come together and meeting fellow scouts from countries such as Brunei, Morocco, Scotland, and many others made months of preparation worthwhile,” Naura said.
The Muslim Scouts Fellowship (MSF) is one of the United Kingdom’s largest Muslim scouting organizations and serves as the official body representing the Muslim community within The Scout Association. Since its development in the 1990s, MSF has reached more than 15,000 young people and volunteers across around 135 scouting groups each year. The organization relies heavily on volunteers, with approximately 98 percent of its activities managed on a voluntary basis.
For PCIM UK-Ireland, the Muhammadiyah diaspora’s participation in the MSF Jamboree represents more than involvement in an international event. It is a long-term investment in developing future cadres with leadership skills, scouting experience, and global networks.
These experiences are expected to provide an important foundation for establishing the Hizbul Wathan scouting movement in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Through youth development that emphasizes character, progress, and service to the wider community, Muhammadiyah hopes to further expand its movement and outreach in the region known as “The Black Country.” (bhisma)
