EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Muhammadiyah Central Board and the Kuwaiti Embassy are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in education, Islamic outreach, healthcare, and humanitarian affairs. One opportunity discussed was the development of a hospital, which received a positive response from Kuwaiti Ambassador H.E. Khalid Jassim Alyassin.
The discussion took place on Tuesday (27/10) during a meeting at the Muhammadiyah Central Board headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
The meeting was attended by Muhammadiyah President Haedar Nashir, Chairperson Anwar Abbas and Agung Danarto, General Treasurer Hilman Latief, and Secretary Izzul Muslimin.
Haedar said that Muhammadiyah and Kuwait had maintained relations for 20 to 30 years. During this period, Kuwait had provided assistance to support Muhammadiyah Islamic outreach activities. One of the examples are the construction of mosques and educational facilities in Indonesia.
“Kuwait is familiar with Muhammadiyah. Over the past 20–30 years, Muhammadiyah and Kuwait have worked together. Kuwait has provided substantial assistance to Muhammadiyah, particularly in mosque construction and education,” Haedar said.
During the meeting, Muhammadiyah proposed opportunities for cooperation in healthcare. One idea discussed was the development of a hospital, with Muhammadiyah providing the land. Bekasi was among the locations considered.
Kuwait Welcomes Proposal for Muhammadiyah Hospital
The Kuwaiti ambassador welcomed the proposal and asked Muhammadiyah to prepare a proposal for further discussion with the relevant parties.
The hospital project remains at an exploratory stage, with no final decision yet on its development or funding.
Through interpreter Muhammad Nahdi, the Kuwaiti ambassador expressed hope that relations with Muhammadiyah would grow closer and lead to broader cooperation.
“This meeting is expected to open up greater opportunities for cooperation in the future. Muhammadiyah is one of the largest organizations in Indonesia and the world. Cooperation could thus be developed in education, humanitarian affairs, and other areas where collaboration is possible,” Nahdi said, translating the ambassador’s remarks.
Beyond healthcare, Haedar further noted that Muhammadiyah runs economic empowerment programs for disadvantaged communities in various regions. These initiatives could provide another avenue for collaboration to extend the benefits of cooperation to the public.
Through the meeting, Muhammadiyah hopes to build on its decades-long relationship with Kuwait by developing concrete programs in education, Islamic outreach, healthcare, and humanitarian affairs. (taufik)
