MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MALAYSIA – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) students are undertaking an international community service in Malaysia. Their goal is to empower Indonesian children residing in remote areas of the country by strengthening their religious understanding and fostering a deep appreciation for their Indonesian values.
The UMS students are currently deployed in the Gombak Utara area of Selangor, Malaysia. Led by Wildan Shohib, they are working collaboratively with Sanggar Kamus Binaan Gombak Utara, a local community center managed by Ikhwanuddin Nasution.
In a press release on Thursday (July 11), Wildan explained the motivation behind the community service program. He highlighted concerns regarding the limited access to education faced by Indonesian children in Malaysia, particularly in Gombak. The program, titled “Strengthening Islam and Muhammadiyah for Cross-Cultural Indonesian Citizen Families in Sanggar Gombak Utara Malaysia,” directly addresses these educational needs.
“Our discussions with the community revealed a critical need for educational assistance among Indonesian children in Gombak Utara. Specifically, we found a gap in their religious education, which is essential for building a strong foundation of religious values,” said Wildan.
Wildan elaborated on the challenges faced by the children’s parents. Due to demanding work schedules, parents often struggle to balance their work lives with providing adequate care for their children. This, in turn, can lead to a neglect of the children’s religious education. Additionally, there is a risk that the children may gradually overlook their Indonesian heritage and values as they grow up in a different cultural environment.
The community service program is specifically designed to address these concerns. It targets children aged 4 to 11 and incorporates a two-pronged approach. The program not only aims to strengthen the children’s religious understanding but also instills strong Indonesian values in them. This ensures that the children develop a well-rounded identity that embraces both their faith and their cultural heritage.
Ikhwanuddin Nasution, expressing his gratitude for Muhammadiyah initiative and the attention given to the Indonesian children, acknowledged the diverse backgrounds of the children who attend the Sanggar Kamus Binaan Gombak Utara community center.
“The beauty of our community lies in its diversity. The children here come from a variety of regions across Indonesia, including Java, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Flores, Medan, and many others,” mentioned Ikhwanuddin.
