Muhammadiyah gathered with the Indonesian diaspora in New South Wales, Australia, on Monday, January 28. Held at the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, it also marked the launch of a book “Guyon Maton: Lucu Bermutu ala Muhammadiyin” written by General Secretary of Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti.
Consul General Vedi Kurnia Buana welcomed the book’s message. He emphasized the power of humor to bridge divides and soften serious conversations.
“Sometimes, a good laugh can be the best way to ease tensions,” he said, encouraging listeners to embrace Mu’ti’s lighthearted approach to communication.
Mu’ti himself echoed these sentiments, highlighting the Indonesian people’s innate ability to find humor even in challenging situations.
“Our strong social cohesion is a testament to that,” he remarked, noting the laughter that filled the room throughout his presentation.
The book, already a best-seller with five reprints, compiles 54 of Mu’ti’s witty anecdotes, shared in various lectures, religious gatherings, and even on social media.
“We aim to fill a gap in the public sphere,” he explained. “Humor is ingrained in our culture, and this book celebrates our ability to approach life with a smile.”
Muhammad Najib, Education and Culture Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, further underscored the book’s relevance in today’s world. Drawing on Edward T. Hall’s “The Silent Language,” Najib discussed different communication styles, highlighting the contrast between implicit “high context” cultures and direct “low context” cultures. He playfully suggested that Mu’ti’s Javanese background might have been influenced by his move to the more open Betawi culture of Jakarta, contributing to his humorous persona.
Before the official gathering, Mu’ti and Muhammad Sayuti also connected with the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of New South Wales. Their joint discussion, titled “Rembug Bersama Amal Usaha Muhammadiyah Sydney dan Peluncuran Buku Cerah Mentari di Ufuk Sydney” (Joint Discussion on Muhammadiyah’s Social Enterprises in Sydney and the Launch of the Book ‘Bright Sun on the Sydney Horizon’), explored the establishment of a new Muhammadiyah social enterprise, considering its sociological, religious, economic, and human resource aspects.
