MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir was honored as the Tokoh Perbukuan Islam (Islamic Book Figure) of 2025 by the Indonesian Publisher Association (IKAPI), Jakarta. The award was presented in the 23rd Islamic Book Fair (IBF) at the Jakarta International Convention Center, Senayan, on Wednesday, June 18.
“I think there are many people, particularly the younger generations, who deserve this recognition more than I do. So, to be honest, I am not sure whether I really deserve this award,” said Haedar modestly.
“However, after meeting with the IKAPI Jakarta team and visiting the Islamic Book Fair, I felt honored to receive this award,” added Haedar.
The award not only recognizes Haedar’s individual contribution but also highlights Muhammadiyah commitment to Islamic literacy. It became a significant milestone for IBF’s twenty-three-year journey in promoting Islamic literature in Indonesia.
Haedar reflected on the challenges of building a reading culture in Indonesia, describing writing and publishing books as a “quiet and lonely path” few people choose to take.
“People are more likely to go to shopping malls for fashion or food than to visit a bookstore,” said Haedar.
Haedar also observed that it’s rare for someone to visit a city and seek out bookstores, libraries, or museums for learning. This condition indicates the country’s low reading interest.
Quoting a statistic from UNESCO, Haedar pointed out that out of every 1,000 Indonesians, only one enjoys reading books. He called this a sad reality, especially in a time when access to information is easier than ever.
“That’s why this award also belongs to all writers. It’s a way to keep our pulse on literacy alive and remind us of its importance,” said Haedar.
For Haedar, literacy is more than just reading and writing. He believes it’s about the drive to seek knowledge and live an intelligent, cultured, and civilized life.
