MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah hosted a delegation from the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP) at its headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta. The visit, led by AIMEP’s Co-Founder of Mosaic Connections, Rowan Gould, was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding between the two organizations.
President of Muhammadiyah Youth Association Dzulfikar Ahmadi Tawalla welcomed the delegation and explained the purpose of the visit.
“AIMEP is keen to learn more about Muhammadiyah, including its history, fiqh, and its regular activities,” said Dzulfikar.
During the meeting, AIMEP and Muhammadiyah representatives also addressed the critical issue of Islamophobia, which affects Muslims around the world, particularly in regions where they are a minority.
Dzulfikar highlighted the ongoing efforts of Australian Muslims to promote a positive image of Islam. Islam is a peaceful religion.
“Australian Muslims are actively campaigning to dispel the misconception that Islam is a religion that hinders progress. They are demonstrating that, in fact, Islam has contributed significantly to the advancement of civilization,” said Dzulfikar.
Despite facing challenges as a minority group, Muslims in Australia have shown remarkable resilience in practicing their faith. Dzulfikar noted that Australian Muslims openly practice their religion, including wearing the hijab and fasting during Ramadan.
“They shared their experiences of explaining the significance of hijab and fasting, and we hope that these interactions will inspire others to promote Islam as a religion of peace, love, and compassion,” added Zulfikar.
