MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Muhammadiyah devotion to advancing peace and socio-economic development in Indonesia and abroad has earned recognition and praise from the Southeast Asia Women Peace Mediators (SEAWPM).
“We would like to express our deep respect and admiration for Muhammadiyah, renowned for its unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and fostering positive change in Indonesia and internationally,” said a representative of the SEAWPM Emma Leslie, an Australian Cambodian, in her visit to Muhammadiyah Office of Jakarta on Tuesday (October 3) along with her entourage, Miriam Coronel Ferrer from the Philippines, Shadia Marhaban, and Adelina Kamal from Indonesia.
Fruitful Exchange of Ideas
The two-hour meeting discussed the peace process in Southern Philippines, with Muhammadiyah serving as a core member of the International Contact Group (ICG) that mediated the process.
Both parties also talked about the protracted conflicts in regions such as Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Palestine, which have disproportionately impacted women and children.
Shadia Marhaban further shared insights on the difficult situation in Afghanistan, where continuous conflict has led to a lack of essential resources for the growth of children, adolescents, and women.
“Inadequate access to clean water, insufficient educational infrastructure, and a shortage of resources for libraries and sports facilities were among the crucial issues she pointed out, which hinder the development of human resources,” said Shadia Marhaban.
Commitment to Interfaith and International Collaboration
Yayah Khisbiyah, the Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Institute for International Relations and Cooperation, also suggested expanding the “Education for Women” initiative to “Education for All,” specifically in the challenging and conflict-prone regions such as Afghanistan and Palestine. It aims to provide a comprehensive education that positively impacts all parties involved, ultimately extending its influence to benefit these communities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fostering collaboration that transcends religious boundaries and community divisions. Representatives from the Muhammadiyah Central Board of ‘Aisyiyah and Nasyiatul ‘Aisyiyah, the Disaster Resilience Institute (LRB), and the Majelis Diktilitbang attended, aligning their dedication with the shared goal of advancing peace and socioeconomic progress.
At the end of the meeting, there was a mutual agreement to promote cooperation beyond religious and community differences. Delegates from the Muhammadiyah Central Board of ‘Aisyiyah and Nasyiatul ‘Aisyiyah, the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center, and the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development were also present and committed to promoting peace and socioeconomic development.
