MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURAKARTA – Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre and Human Resources (MPKSDI) Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan stated that Muhammadiyah approach may evolve over time, but its commitment to humanity remains firm.
Speaking at the Baitul Arqam & Training of Trainer for the 2025 student association at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), Bachtiar emphasized the importance of adapting to change while staying true to Muhammadiyah core values.
“Change should not be feared. Without change, there is no progress or innovation,” said Bachtiar.
He acknowledged that not all UMS students come from Muhammadiyah backgrounds or fully understand its principles. However, he stressed that Muhammadiyah follows the example of Prophet Muhammad by serving everyone, regardless of background.
“Muhammadiyah is here to bring blessings, safety, and benefits to all. That is what it means to be rahmatan lil ‘alamin—a mercy to all,” he explained during the session in Karanganyar, Central Java on Wednesday, February 19.
Bachtiar highlighted the Muhammadiyah major role in education, particularly in higher education.
“I cannot imagine Indonesia without Muhammadiyah. When we compare the number of universities established by the government and Muhammadiyah, Muhammadiyah has made a remarkable contribution,” noted Bachtiar.
Quoting the Muhammadiyah founder, Ahmad Dahlan, he reminded students that the movement was not establshed just to build schools, hospitals, or orphanages, but to perform Islami da’wa.
“The goal is to shape a prosperous and noble society that receives Allah’s blessings,” said Bachtiar.
He also warned students about the dangers of misinformation on social media, urging them to strengthen their literacy skills.
“Reading books helps sharpen critical thinking. Just like food needs to be chewed before swallowing, information should not be taken at face value,” he advised.
Bachtiar concluded by encouraging students to apply their knowledge in real-life situations and serve their communities, fulfilling their role as future leaders.
