MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – A teaching staff of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Ahmad Norma Permata highlighted that Muhammadiyah has been dedicated to promoting a true understanding of Islam and positioning it as a solution to social issues.
In the Muhammadiyah preaching conducted on Monday, March 3, at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Norma discussed wasathiyah (Islamic moderation) of Muhammadiyah from a historical perspective.
“Being a Muslim requires embracing wasathiyah, and our Islamic history is long and rich. Looking at Muhammadiyah’s wasathiyah from a historical perspective helps us understand how this movement balances diversity, social responsibility, and a non-confrontational stance toward political power,” said Norma in the preaching focusing on focused on the theme ‘Developing Progressive Wasathiyah Islam: Theological, Ideological, and Practical Perspectives.’
The Unique Characteristics of Southeast Asian Islam
Islamic civilization has played a major role in shaping societies worldwide. Muhammadiyah, founded by Ahmad Dahlan, has grown into a leading Islamic organization with significant contributions at both the national and global levels.
Norma explained that Islam spread to Southeast Asia around the 13th century through trade, brought by merchants, scholars, and Sufi scholars.
“The arrival of Islam in Southeast Asia had unique characteristics. The region was originally dominated by Hinduism and Buddhism, yet Islam was able to integrate into society without major conflicts,” said Norma.
As Islam developed in the region, Southeast Asian Muslims gained recognition alongside other global Muslim communities.
“Muslims from different regions contribute in their own way to Islamic civilization. The recognition of Southeast Asian Islam’s unique qualities shows that Muslims in this region can equally play roles with those elsewhere. With its historical roots, Southeast Asian Islam has embraced a tradition of moderation and harmony,” said Norma.
With this strong foundation, he stressed that the values of Southeast Asian Muslims can be a valuable contribution to the global Islamic community.
“Wasathiyah in Islam, which promotes balance and moderation, fits well with the character of Islam. We should show that we are not simply ‘the youngest sibling’ in the Islamic world but a community with noble values that can contribute to building a more harmonious civilization,” said Norma.
