MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SOUTH BANDUNG — Muhammadiyah currently has 125 hospitals across Indonesia, and this number will increase, particularly in Papua and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir mentioned that the healthcare expansion is addressed to assist the government in fulfilling its constitutional duties, which, Muhammadiyah is aware, are challenging to undertake.
“The spirit of giving has been in Muhammadiyah’s and “Aisyiyah’s blood,” said Haedar in the celebration of the Operational Permit (SIO) for the Rumah Sakit Muhammadiyah Bandung Selatan (RSMBS/Muhammadiyah hospital) on Thursday (July 6).
Haedar, the Professor of Sociology, mentioned that Muhammadiyah has already initiated healthcare services in Papua through the Muhammadiyah Islamic Clinic in Merauke and would like to NTT.
According to Haedar, the spirit of giving, which is deeply ingrained within Muhammadiyah, stems from the teachings of KH. Ahmad Dahlan. He believed that religious teachings from the Quran should not only be memorized but also put into practice to alleviate Indonesia’s difficulties during colonial control.
“The Islam, which Kiai Dahlan understood and embraced, is one that answers humanitarian issues, environment, and current situations,” mentioned Haedar.
Dahlan’s three-month teaching of Al Ma’un instilled the ethos of giving, leading to the establishment of Muhammadiyah’s charitable initiatives (AUM). Similarly, Dahlan’s eight-month teaching of Al Ashr (time) instilled the ethos to develop.
“I hope that Muhammadiyah members will not be passive but rather take proactive actions to address existing shortcomings. Let us advance Muslims and propel this Indonesian nation forward through our shared responsibility and cooperation,” said Hadar.
Muhammadiyah’s commitment to advancing Muslims and the nation has prompted its recent engagement with several Islamic religious organizations, such as NU and Persis, and interfaith organizations, like PGI and KWI.
