MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SOLO – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Rais shared heartfelt reflections on his journey with the movement and expressed his appreciation for its continued growth.
“Muhammadiyah has always been my home,” Dahlan said warmly. “When I was in IPM (the Muhammadiyah Student Association) as a teenager, I used to sleep over with friends from the organization. Those experiences are unforgettable for me.”
Having served in the Central Board of Muhammadiyah for two decades, Dahlan expressed his gratitude for the commitment and hard work of the staff. He emphasized the importance of continuing their positive contributions to the organization.
“I’ve been at the Central Board for 20 years, and I want to thank all the staff at the Muhammadiyah office for their dedication. Their work deserves recognition and should be continued,” he said in the post-Ramadan gathering in Surakarta on Thursday, April 4.
Dahlan also highlighted Solo’s historic role in the development of Muhammadiyah. He explained that the city has long been one of the earliest centers of the organization’s movement in Indonesia.
“Solo is one of the oldest Muhammadiyah strongholds in the country. Even Hizbul Wathan, our scouting movement, began here,” he said.
He shared a story of how Muhammadiyah founder Ahmad Dahlan was inspired to establish Hizbul Wathan after observing a scouting group near the Mangkunegaran Palace in Solo.
“Ahmad Dahlan used to teach in Solo. One day, as he was walking past the Mangkunegaran area, he saw a group of scouts and stopped to watch. That moment left a strong impression on him. Not long after, he began mentoring his students to start a scouting movement, which later became Hizbul Wathan,” said Dahlan Rais.
Dahlan Rais ended his remarks by encouraging Muhammadiyah members to continue contributing in meaningful ways. He emphasized that acts of service are not only important for the growth of the organization, but also for spreading Islamic values and supporting national progress.
