MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Amin Abdullah, a member of the Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre and Human Resources, emphasized the vital role of religion as an ethical institution. He called for religion to foster a better communal, national, and humanitarian life while steering society away from unethical practices.
The faith that people adhere to would yield positive outcomes. Amin stated that religion should not be limited to mere rituals but should manifest as tangible actions in daily life. Religion should evolve into a way of life that influences human behavior more concretely.
His concerns were particularly focused on the prevalent behavior of religious individuals in Indonesia, where, despite a predominantly devout population, corruption rates remain alarmingly high.
Amin articulated his disappointment, highlighting a paradox where religious devotion coexists with rampant corruption.
“We are all devout in our faith, yet we engage in corruption and fail to mitigate its impact. The situation during regional elections, legislative elections, and presidential elections is especially alarming. I am unsure how to anticipate these issues, but it is truly disheartening,” said Amin at a preaching on Thursday, September 29.
This troubling phenomenon is not unique to Indonesia. According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, similar patterns have been observed in other countries such as Kenya and Brazil. Both countries are home to devout populations, yet they also grapple with significant corruption issues. Thus, there is the urgent need for reflection and solutions to these pressing problems.
Amin also revealed disturbing instances of corruption within religious environments in Indonesia, citing issues related to the procurement of the Quran and funds allocated for mosque construction.
Those phenomena emphasize the urgent need for religious institutions and their followers to critically reflect on their ethical responsibilities and truly integrate faith with moral conduct to combat corruption and foster a more just society.
