MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Salmah Orbayinah, the President of ‘Aisyiyah Central Board, underscored the importance of understanding the shared history of Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah as a foundation for advancing contemporary da’wah.
She delivered the remarks on Friday (23/01) while praising a historical walking program organized by the Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of Jakarta, which aims to introduce the organization’s roots, particularly to women.
“This program deserves to be replicated,” Salmah said. “Women are not only listening to stories. They are walking through the history of Kiai Ahmad Dahlan and Nyai Ahmad Dahlan.”
Kauman and the Roots of Women’s Empowerment
According to Salmah, the Kauman neighborhood in Yogyakarta holds a central place in the birth of Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah. It was there that Kiai Ahmad Dahlan established the first women’s prayer hall (mushala), which functioned as an early center for women’s learning and empowerment.
“In that prayer hall, women did more than study the Qur’an,” she said. “Nyai Ahmad Dahlan taught skills, public speaking, and even economic literacy. From the very beginning, ‘Aisyiyah was progressive.”
She also pointed to the modest but well-maintained grave of Nyai Ahmad Dahlan in Kauman as a symbol of respect for the movement’s history. Nearby, the ‘Aisyiyah Kauman kindergarten, founded by Nyai Ahmad Dahlan, stands as tangible evidence of women’s early leadership in education.
“Parts of that kindergarten are protected heritage and cannot be altered,” Salmah noted. “It shows that history must be preserved and cared for.”
Salmah emphasized that the establishment of ‘Aisyiyah reflected Kiai Ahmad Dahlan’s clear commitment to honoring women. Rather than being sidelined, women were given a respected platform to serve and preach.
“Women were not excluded from Muhammadiyah,” she said. “They were entrusted with a dignified space called ‘Aisyiyah.”
She added that Muhammadiyah’s early outreach was inclusive across social classes, reflecting a vision of Islam that engaged culture while infusing it with reformist values. (ghulam)
Translator: Bintang Adrian
