MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Central Board of Muhammadiyah (PP Muhammadiyah) received an official visit from Dr. Abbas Shouman, former Deputy of Al-Azhar Al Sharif, Egypt, at the Muhammadiyah Central Office in Jakarta on Friday (7/11).
The visit marked an important moment in reaffirming the historic and educational ties between Al-Azhar and Muhammadiyah. This relationship has flourished for decades through shared commitments to scholarship and Islamic moderation.
During the meeting, former Muhammadiyah Chairperson (2005-2015) Din Syamsuddin, current Chairperson Saad Ibrahim, and Secretary Izzul Muslimin warmly welcomed Dr. Shouman and the Al-Azhar delegation. The leaders emphasized that the partnership between Al-Azhar and Muhammadiyah represents a deep intellectual and spiritual bond that has existed since the early years of Muhammadiyah’s establishment.
Saad Ibrahim noted that Muhammadiyah continues to send dozens, even hundreds, of students each year to pursue studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, underscoring Muhammadiyah’s steadfast commitment to nurturing the spirit of moderate Islamic scholarship championed by Al-Azhar.
The discussion also reviewed progress on the cooperation agreement between Al-Azhar and Muhammadiyah, originally signed in 2003 by Grand Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Thanthawy and Muhammadiyah Chairperson Din Syamsuddin, and renewed in 2023. Both parties expressed their commitment to accelerating the implementation of this renewed partnership in the near future.
Dr. Abbas Shouman conveyed his appreciation for Muhammadiyah’s continued engagement and expressed Al-Azhar’s full readiness to deepen collaboration with Muhammadiyah, which he recognized as one of the most influential Islamic movements in Indonesia. (Rosti)
