EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, PALU – The Muhammadiyah Central Board has confirmed that the organization’s 49th Muktamar National Congress will take place in Medan, North Sumatra, from November 18 to 21, 2027.
“The Congress will take place from November 18 to 21, 2027. There is no need to seek further confirmation, let alone keep checking on it. The date is qath’i (definitive), and the venue is Medan,” Haedar Nashir, President of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, declared in his opening address at the Muhammadiyah Tanwir National Congress in Palu on Thursday (13/11).
In keeping with the tradition of previous congresses, Muhammadiyah typically holds its next congress on a different island after organizing one on Sumatra.
Strengthening Muhammadiyah’s Overseas Branches
Haedar also discussed several issues on the Tanwir agenda as part of preparations for the 49th Congress. One of them concerned amendments to Muhammadiyah’s Statute and Bylaws.
One key reason for reviewing these regulations is to strengthen the position of Muhammadiyah Special Branch Boards (PCIM) in various countries. Haedar noted that the special branch boards have experienced fluctuating levels of organizational activity and stability.
Beyond human resource constraints, this situation also reflects uneven recognition and legal status in the countries where the branches operate. Of the approximately 30 PCIMs worldwide, not all have strong institutional foundations or legal recognition in their respective countries.
“Conditions vary across the 30 branches, and not all of them are active. Only a number of branches in certain countries are thriving, particularly those that have secured legal status and established charitable institutions, such as in Australia and Malaysia,” he explained.
Rethinking the Number of Central Board Chairpersons
The discussions on the Articles of Association and Bylaws also addressed the number of chairpersons on the Muhammadiyah Central Board. Haedar explained that the figure of 13 chairpersons was neither absolute nor sacred. Instead, the organization should determine the number based on its needs and the diverse qualifications required for leadership.
He added that increasing the number of board members would not necessarily mean more people would actively carry out organizational responsibilities.
“The same applies at the regional level. No matter how many members we add, the number of those who actively carry out their duties will remain roughly the same. So, if we elect 13 chairpersons, those 13 will be the ones who serve actively,” he said.
Haedar also stressed that membership on the Muhammadiyah Central Board should not be based on regional representation. He warned that organizing central leadership around regional quotas could encourage provincial and sectoral interests within the organization.
“If we start allocating positions based on regional representation, we risk creating provincial and sectoral divisions. Please do not take us in that direction. It would narrow our perspective,” Haedar stressed.
