MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – President of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, welcomed staff of Muhammadiyah Australia College (MAC) at the Muhammadiyah headquarters, Yogyakarta on Friday, July 11. The visit was part of efforts to strengthen Muhammadiyah global networks, particularly in the areas of education and da’wa of Progressive Islam.
“MAC represents Muhammadiyah efforts in da’wa and tajdid globally. Muhammadiyah views Islam as Dīn al-Ḥaḍāra, a religion that builds civilization, based on the value of tawhid to create a good and civilized life for all,” said Haedar.
According to Haedar, there are four pillars to build Islamic civilization relevant to today’s and future challenges.
First, Islam as Dīn al-Ḥaḍāra becomes an essential foundation of Muhammadiyah education. In this context, education must not only focus on academics but also help build an inclusive and progressive civilization.
Second, character building (akhlakul karimah) is the key to the development of a nation. The traits involve hard work, visions, and good social relationships.
“A country’s success depends on the strength of its people’s character. This is the kind of Islamic identity we want to develop in Muhammadiyah schools, including MAC,” said Haedar.
Third, solidarity becomes a fundamental aspect to build peaceful and resilient communities. Solidarity is a pillar of collective strength that supports the sustainability of national civilization.
“A nation will not exist without solidarity since it the main strength to create peace and progress,” said Haedar.
Finally, Haedar emphasized the importance of progress and innovation. He believes that Muhammadiyah, with the spirit of Progressive Islam, should remain adaptive and visionary, promoting education that prepares students to meet future global challenges.
“MAC proves that Muhammadiyah can flourish in a developed country. This shows that progressive Islam can go hand in hand with global dynamics,” said Haedar.
Furthermore, this visit highlighted the shared commitment to expanding the movement’s mission through inclusive, quality education. Haedar expressed his hope that MAC would continue to produce graduates with strong Islamic values, who not only thrive in multicultural settings but also contribute to the common good, wherever they are.
