MUHAMMADIYAH .OR.ID, BANDUNG – Indonesian Muslims consistently demonstrate high levels of piety and generosity, according to recent data. A 2021 Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) study found an impressive 82.5% piety rate, measured across five key areas: social concern, human relations, ethics, environmental awareness, and loyalty to the state.
This commitment to faith extends to acts of giving. Indonesia topped the 2023 World Giving Index by Charities Aid Foundation, with a remarkable 68% of citizens exhibiting high levels of generosity. The study measured three factors: donating money (82%), helping strangers (61%), and volunteering (61%).
Abdul Mu’ti, General Secretary of Muhammadiyah, sees these statistics as a positive sign, but emphasizes the need to go further. “While individual piety is commendable,” Mu’ti stated in a Tarawih prayer preaching at Masjid Salman of ITB on Tuesday (March 26), “we must translate this into collective action.”
Mu’ti highlighted Islam’s core principle of benefiting others. He called for innovation and discoveries across various fields, particularly technology. “Technological advancements can not only help us conserve our natural resources,” he explained, “but also empower us to harness the universe for the greater good of society.”
Mu’ti stressed the importance of faith and worship driving positive change. The purpose of Islam is to bring about widespread benefit, a concept deeply rooted in Islamic law. He argued that religious practice shouldn’t be confined to rituals, but should instead be a catalyst for change and innovation across various fields of knowledge. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the well-being and progress of humanity.
This message from Mu’ti serves as a powerful reminder: Indonesia’s strong foundation of piety and generosity can be further amplified by channeling those values into collective action that benefits society as a whole. By embracing innovation and focusing on the common good, Indonesian Muslims can ensure their faith continues to be a force for positive change in the world.
