Essential Points of the PCIM Meeting

MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURAKARTA—Representatives of the Muhammadiyah Special Branches (PCIM) of several countries gathered at the meeting room of the Edutorium of the Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) on Saturday (19/11). They discussed strategies of Muhammadiyah internationalization. Here are the discussion points:  

1. The worldwide PCIM views that a comprehensive formulation of the Muhammadiyah internationalization should be designed. It involves theological and philosophical foundations, directions, goals, short-term and long-term achievements, and implementation mechanisms.  
2. The concept of Dār Syahādah in the Muhammadiyah formulation can be a theological foundation, but its meaning needs to be expanded globally. Thus, the faith proof of the Muhammadiyah people is not limited to the national scope but is presented universally.   
3. Internationalization programs are multi-sectoral duties of Muhammadiyah. The concept design and implementation require the collabioration of various parties at Muhammadiyah such as the education division, tarjih and tabligh, division of economy, and autonomous organizations as Tapak Suci. Indeed, many PCIMs have developed through Tapak Suci.  
4. The worldwide PCIM has to arrange procedures for local people (non-Indonesians), in which the PCIM is established, to register as an extraordinary member of the PCIM and get a member card. Many locals are interested in being members, but they can be official members because the procedures have yet to be available.   
5. An official permit of each PCIM to be a legal, social organization conforms regulations of each country. Some PCIMs may easily get the permit, while others may not.   
6. The International Relations and Cooperation Board of Muhammadiyah should play more roles in synergizing the potential of Muhammadiyah people overseas.   

In addition, the meeting participants were from the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Egypt, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Sudan, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of South Korea, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of the United States, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Japan, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Saudi Arabia, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Turkey, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Malaysia, PCIM Thailand, PCIM Australia, PCIM Germany, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Spain, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Taiwan, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Iran, the Muhammadiyah Special Branch of Yemen, and the International Relations and Cooperation Board of Muhammadiyah.