MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANDUNG – For more than a century since its establishment, Muhammadiyah has played a strategic and active role in preserving and developing Indonesia’s culture and civilization. The organization views culture as an integral part of Islamic life and nation’s identity, something that must be preserved and nurtured.
In his article for Suara Muhammadiyah magazine, Issue 19/2025, Dadang Kahmad, chairperson of Muhammadiyah Central Board, emphasized that Muhammadiyah encourages its community to actively engage in preserving and developing culture that aligns with Islamic values and the spirit of progress.
“Religion can thrive within the local culture where it exists,” wrote Dadang, highlighting the importance of a mutual symbiosis between religion and culture.
To strengthen this approach, Muhammadiyah promotes a cultural da’wah approach. Through the Muhammadiyah Department of Art and Culture (LSB), the organization actively encourages its members to preserve local cultural values. Traditional arts such as regional music are used as effective tools of da’wah in various religious community activities.
“They see culture as part of the nation’s identity that must be protected and preserved,” Dadang explained. These efforts aim to harmonize Islamic values with local culture, fostering cultural balance and coexistence without compromising the purity of faith and worship.
Furthermore, Muhammadiyah envisioned the mosque not merely as a place of worship, but as a center of civilization, an epicenter of religious, social, and cultural activities that empower and benefit the wider community.
Amid the pressures of globalization that risk eroding traditional values, Muhammadiyah recognizes the need to protect meaningful local cultures from being uprooted. The organization remains committed to building a modern and progressive society firmly grounded in noble cultural and religious values, guided by strong moral character.
Although the Qur’an does not explicitly discuss “local culture,” Dadang cites Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, which emphasizes the importance of knowing one another among nations and tribes. This verse serves as a foundation for appreciating diversity and preserving good traditions within society.
“Agama dipersepsi suatu masyarakat melalui kaca mata budayanya. Jika sesuatu agama berbeda jauh dengan karakter budaya lokal maka agama tersebut akan susah berkembang di lokasi tersebut bahkan mungkin ditolak,” tulisnya.
This, he noted, underscores the need for adaptive strategies. Dadang warned that if Muhammadiyah’s da’wah is delivered rigidly, without sensitivity to local and cultural context, the movement will find it difficult to flourish in certain regions.
Hence, he called on Muhammadiyah leaders at all levels to be culturally aware and socially responsive as such sensitivity is key to the success of Muhammadiyah’s mission.
Through these strategic efforts, Muhammadiyah stands as both a guardian of faith and a preserver of national culture, Making it a vital pillar in building an enlightened and and progressive Indonesian civilization. (Bintang Adrian)
