EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MAKKAH – The Muhammadiyah Special Branch Board in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PCIM Saudi Arabia) welcomed a friendly visit from the Muhammadiyah Special Branch Board in the United Kingdom and Ireland (PCIM UK and Ireland) at Ahmad Dahlan House in Aziziyah, Makkah.
Representing the Saudi Arabian branch were Fazzal Hawari, advisor to its Hajj and Umrah Service Institute (LKHU), and several members of the Muhammadiyah Special Sub-branch Board of Makkah (PRIM Makkah), including Chairperson Qorinul Anhar Karim, Secretary Asadullah Syamil, Treasurer Arif Wicaksono, and member Habib.
The meeting brought together two branches facing distinct challenges in their Islamic outreach. In his presentation, Ince Dian Aprilyani Azir, Chairperson of PCIM UK and Ireland, discussed the challenges of conducting dakwah as a Muslim minority community in Britain.
One key initiative has been joining the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to expand networks and strengthen Muhammadiyah’s presence in British society.
PCIM UK and Ireland is also developing creative outreach through football supporter communities. Recently, its representatives met with the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) at Old Trafford for discussions.
They also planned similar collaborative programs with the hope of reaching Muslim supporter groups at other football clubs across British cities. These initiatives aim to strengthen Muhammadiyah’s efforts to introduce Islamic teachings and values in an inclusive way while responding to the challenges faced by Muslim minorities.
Meanwhile, PCIM Saudi Arabia, through PRIM Makkah, presented its ongoing outreach activities. One notable program is kajian ummahat, religious study sessions for Indonesian women that have reached many members of the Indonesian community in Makkah. The branch also introduced active Muhammadiyah Social Enterprises, including LKHU and Lazismu.
“Collaboration between Muhammadiyah branches should be mutually supportive and strengthen one another. I believe this is essential,” Qorin said on Saturday (17/10).
Developing Transit Umrah Services for Indonesian Diaspora Communities
The meeting resulted in an initial agreement to establish strategic cooperation between PRIM Makkah and the PCIM UK and Ireland. The collaboration will focus on providing transit Umrah services for Indonesians traveling from the United Kingdom, the United States, and European countries.
Ince said the meeting also sparked an idea for a “3M Umrah” package combining Makkah, Madinah, and Manchester. The concept would integrate the Umrah pilgrimage with a transit tour in the United Kingdom.
“The scheme is easy to implement because UK visa holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims would only need to arrange a UK visa, visit Britain, and then continue their journey to the Holy Land without applying for a separate Saudi visa,” Ince explained.
“Our team in the United Kingdom and Ireland is ready to welcome and accompany pilgrims during their stay in Britain, while our colleagues at PRIM Makkah and LKHU in Saudi Arabia will assist them in the Holy Land,” he added.
This initiative is expected to provide a practical service for Indonesians living abroad who wish to perform Umrah through a more convenient and well-coordinated travel arrangement. LKHU, through the Saudi Arabian branch, will follow up on the proposal by developing the technical details of the scheme. (Bhisma)
