MUHAMMADIYAH. OR. ID, RIYADH – President of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, along with the delegation from the Muhammadiyah Central Board and several rectors of Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Universities (PTMA) visited the embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) for Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.
During the visit, Haedar emphasized the need for shared commitment in optimizing the management of Hajj affairs and the protection of Indonesian citizens (WNI).
“We see the need for a strong bridge in addressing issues related to Hajjj affairs and the protection of Indonesian citizens, so that these do not continue to be handled only on an ad hoc basis,” Haedar stated on Monday (1/12).
“We, Muhammadiyah, are ready to assist the Embassy in these efforts, but the bureaucratic channels need to be clarified,” he added.
During the event, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, Sugiri Suparwan, welcomed the expectations conveyed by the Muhammadiyah President.
Sugiri conveyed that the embassy opens opportunities for Muhammadiyah to participate in programs for the protection of Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia.
According to Sugiri, the Embassy also invites other mass organizations to help educate Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia in various fields, especially concerning their financial literacy, as many have recently fallen victim to fraudulent investments.
Sugiri added that Muhammadiyah could conduct educational programs via Zoom or send a team directly to Saudi Arabia, considering the large number of Indonesian citizens who have become victims of fake investment schemes.
Sugiri also explained that Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia are not only migrant workers, but the embassy also facilitates Indonesian citizens who come as professionals and students at various universities in Saudi Arabia.
“Now, studying in Saudi Arabia is not limited to religious studies; there are also technology-related programs such as petroleum engineering,” Sugiri added.
The visit was also attended by Muhammadiyah Central Board Treasurer Hilman Latief, Muhammadiyah Central Board Secretary Muhammad Sayuti, ‘Aisyiyah Central Board Chair Noordjannah Djohantini, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development Bambang Setiaji, and Council Secretary Muhammad Muttaqin.
Also a part of the delegation were the Rectors of Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo, Muhammadiyah University of Malang, Muhammadiyah University of Magelang, Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra, Muhammadiyah Prof. HAMKA University of Jakarta, Ahmad Dahlan University Yogyakarta, and ‘Aisyiyah University Yogyakarta. (Bintang Adrian)
