MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah goes into a new partnership in philanthropy and sustainable development. Muhammadiyah recently had a meeting with the International Islamic Charity Organization (IICO), an international Islamic philanthropic body, to explore collaboration opportunities in community empowerment and economic development.
The meeting was attended by Waleed Alwoheeb, an international advisor with extensive experience in supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Muslim world. Since joining the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development in 2007, Waleed has been committed to empowering NGOs to better serve communities in need.
“The potential for Muslim philanthropy is enormous, estimated at over $600 billion per year. The amount is more than enough to eradicate extreme poverty,” said Waleed at the Muhammadiyah Office, Jakarta, on Thursday, January 23.
A key focus of the meeting was an interest-free loan program designed to support education and economic empowerment. This initiative is a collaboration between Malaysia-based NAMA Foundation and the United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR) from the United States.
“We are introducing this program to Muhammadiyah in hopes that it can be adapted and implemented in Indonesia, given Muhammadiyah extensive reach and influence,” added Waleed.
In addition, Waleed introduced INSANI Foundation, a Malaysia-based crowdfunding platform that helps NGOs raise funds online. He highlighted how the platform utilizes digital technology and influencer engagement to expand the impact of philanthropic initiatives.
“This platform simplifies online fundraising and enables wider participation in humanitarian programs. With digital tools and collaboration, we can extend the reach of Islamic philanthropy to a global scale,” he explained.
Waleed also praised Muhammadiyah for its impactful work in Indonesia, particularly in education, healthcare, and social services.
“We are highly impressed by Muhammadiyah extensive activities and the positive changes they have brought to Indonesia. We believe Muhammadiyah can be a key strategic partner in advancing Islamic philanthropy on a larger scale,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Treasurer of Muhammadiyah Hilman Latief welcomed the opportunity for collaboration, recognizing IICO’s strong commitment to Islamic philanthropy, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation.
“IICO has a significant focus on philanthropy, particularly in poverty reduction and development efforts. We see great potential in working together, and Muhammadiyah philanthropy team will continue discussions to execute this collaboration,” said Hilman.
This partnership aims to strengthen Muhammadiyah role as an inclusive Islamic organization, extending its philanthropic efforts beyond Muslims to support global humanitarian causes. Through this collaboration, Muhammadiyah and IICO are committed to promoting sustainable development, eradicating poverty, and improving access to education.
Beyond strengthening organizational relations, this initiative opens opportunities to build a stronger global network dedicated to humanitarian efforts. With this collaboration, Muhammadiyah reaffirms its commitment to realizing the values of Islam through impactful social and economic programs.
