MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, KARANGANYAR – General Secretary of Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu’ti highlighted that Muhammadiyah humanitarian service has become its identity.
“Our service and sincerity are truly felt by those affected by disasters through the quick and wholehearted response of our members and partners during every emergency,” said Mu’ti at the the opening of the Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Volunteer Jamboree held at Wonderpark Tawangmangu on Thursday, June 26.
With Indonesia’s vast natural resources also comes a high risk of natural disasters. Aware of this, Muhammadiyah has developed a serious and structured approach to disaster response. Mu’ti highlighted three main foundations of Muhammadiyah efforts in this area.
The first is the development of “disaster fiqh” (Islamic legal thought on disasters), which offers a theological perspective that does not blame disasters as divine punishment. Instead, disasters are seen as signs of Allah’s power, moments that call for faith, patience, and positive action.
Disasters should not be viewed as something to grieve endlessly or as Allah’s wrath. They are moments when we are encouraged to extend our hands to others. Helping each other in times of crisis is part of Allah’s mercy.
The second foundation is the establishment of dedicated institutions such as the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC). These bodies go beyond emergency relief, focusing on disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and building resilience. Muhammadiyah has set up schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure to support this mission. MDMC’s work has even gained international recognition, and some Muhammadiyah hospitals are on track to be acknowledged by the World Health Organization.
The third point Mu’ti stressed is the need to view disasters in a broader sense.
“Disasters are not only floods, earthquakes, or volcanoes. They also include the impacts of climate change, environmental damage, and global warming, all of which are driven by human behavior,” he said, referencing a verse from the Qur’an about corruption on land and sea caused by human actions (doharul fasaadi fil ardi wal bahr). .
To address these wider environmental concerns, Muhammadiyah launched the Muhammadiyah Climate Center. The initiative aims to raise awareness, especially among younger generations, about environmental responsibility and disaster preparedness. According to Mu’ti, this ensures that when disasters occur, the community is ready to respond.
Mu’ti added that the ultimate goal of these efforts is to build resilience through education, preparedness, and strong community relationships.
“The jamboree is an important way to strengthen our spirit and solidarity. When disasters happen, we should not be stuck in sorrow. We should move forward, respond, and help,” he said.
Mu’ti ended his remarks by encouraging a shift in mindset and behavior. “We can reduce disasters by changing the way we live and by treating the environment with compassion and care,” said Mu’ti.
