MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, ENDE – Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq visited Ende Muhammadiyah High School (SMA Muhammadiyah Ende) in East Nusa Tenggara to review the revitalization of educational facilities and the use of Interactive Flat Panels. The visit also included a dialogue with school principals, teachers, and members of the Muhammadiyah community in Ende.
During the visit, Fajar reflected on his first journey to Ende in 2008, when he conducted academic research together with Abdul Mu’ti, now Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. At the time, both scholars carried out field research in several Muhammadiyah schools, including SMA Muhammadiyah Ende, which later resulted in a book titled Kristen Muhammadiyah (Christian-Muhammadiyah).
“I have a strong emotional connection to SMA Muhammadiyah Ende, as does Minister Abdul Mu’ti,” Fajar said on Wednesday (17/12). “This was the first city I visited in 2008. This school played an important role in academic research that later shaped the Minister’s doctoral work.”
Fajar recalled that Abdul Mu’ti earned his doctoral degree after conducting a research in Muhammadiyah schools, one of which was SMA Muhammadiyah Ende. During that research period, Fajar served as Mu’ti’s assistant and was directly involved in data collection at the school.
“The research conducted here eventually led to an academic book that we co-authored, titled Kristen Muhammadiyah.” Fajar explained. “This modest school has produced work of significant academic value, widely discussed at the national level among scholars.”
According to Fajar, the book explores the history and development of Muhammadiyah in Flores, particularly in Ende, with a strong focus on education. SMA Muhammadiyah Ende, he noted, was established in 1971 and has since become one of the preferred educational institutions for the local community.
He also emphasized the school’s inclusive character. In Ende, he said, approximately two-thirds of SMA Muhammadiyah students are non-Muslims, including Catholics and Protestants. This, he argued, reflects Muhammadiyah’s commitment to openness and tolerance.
Fajar, who also serves as Chair of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Partnerships of PP Muhammadiyah, highlighted Ende’s historical significance in relation to Muhammadiyah and Indonesian nationalism. He recalled that Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, was once a Muhammadiyah cadre and served as a leader within the organization’s education council in Bengkulu.
“Soekarno’s exile in Ende inspired his ideas on Pancasila, which is why this city is known as the City of Pancasila,” Fajar said. “Many historic moments here are closely linked to Muhammadiyah. If these narratives are retold and reframed, Muhammadiyah in Ende will continue to shine.”
He concluded by likening Muhammadiyah to the sun, which shines equally on all without discrimination. “That is the philosophy of Muhammadiyah,Sang Surya,” he said. (Bintang Adrian)
