EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – A meeting between the Muhammadiyah Central Board and Qatar Ambassador to Indonesia, Sultan bin Mubarak Saad Al Dosari, at the board’s Yogyakarta office on Monday (3/8) went beyond strengthening cooperation in education and health care. The two sides also explored opportunities in employment and the organization of international forums addressing strategic issues facing the Muslim world.
Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairperson Syafiq Mughni said the Qatari government was seeking closer cooperation with Muhammadiyah across various fields.
“We also discussed the possibility of jointly organizing seminars on various issues facing the Muslim world,” Syafiq said.
He said the potential collaborations reflected the spirit of ta’awun, or mutual assistance among Muslims, aimed at strengthening civilization and advancing the common good.
Syafiq also said the planned visit of Qatar’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments to Indonesia could serve as a concrete follow-up to the discussions. He expected the visit to create an opportunity for more detailed talks on forms of cooperation in the future.
“The Qatari ambassador also informed us that the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments will visit Indonesia. By inviting Muhammadiyah, we see this as a follow-up to today’s meeting. Perhaps there will be more detailed discussions on various forms of cooperation between Muhammadiyah and Qatar,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qatar Ambassador to Indonesia, Sultan bin Mubarak Saad Al Dosari, said the potential cooperation extended beyond education, health care, employment, and international forums. He stated that it is more than possible for the embassy to jointly develop several social and religious programs with Muhammadiyah.
“We also have several programs that could become joint initiatives, such as distributing Qur’an copies from Qatar and Dates during Ramadan. So far, we have also worked with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs,” the ambassador said.
Qatar Ambassador’s First Visit to an Islamic Organization
During the meeting, Sultan also shared his positive impression of Muhammadiyah. He said the organization was the first Islamic organization he visited after beginning his assignment as Qatar ambassador to Indonesia in 2025.
“I am Qatar’s new ambassador to Indonesia, having started in 2025, and Muhammadiyah was the first Islamic organization I visited after taking office,” he said.
Before visiting the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s office, Sultan said he had first met with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and visited Universitas Gadjah Mada. He then continued his visit to the Muhammadiyah office in Yogyakarta.
“We know that Muhammadiyah is a very large Islamic organization.”
The meeting further underscored Muhammadiyah and the Qatari government’s commitment to building a mutually reinforcing partnership. With opportunities for cooperation opening across multiple sectors, both sides hope the collaboration will benefit wider communities while strengthening networks among Muslims around the world.
Also attending the meeting were Muhammadiyah President Haedar Nashir; Central Board Chairpersons Agung Danarto, Syafiq Mughni, and Syamsul Anwar; and Muhammadiyah Treasurer Hilman Latief. (Bhisma)
