MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – The President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir challenged Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah higher education institutions to go beyond their traditional role of producing academics and instead, actively cultivate future leaders for the nation.
Haedar emphasized the need for these leaders to embody integrity and avoid shortcuts, urging the institutions to “design and build” a framework for their development across diverse fields like economics, politics, and beyond. He envisioned these leaders filling crucial roles in public spaces and government, shaping the course of the nation.
But leadership development wasn’t the only task he envisioned for the Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah higher education institutions. Haedar also called for the institutions to contribute to strategic thinking for Indonesia’s future, focusing on three vital areas: economics, politics, and culture.
Haedar expressed concern about the current state of Islamic politics, highlighting its “setback” and urging the Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah higher education to offer fresh perspectives. Citing Carol Christine, Haedar mentioned two key problems of Islamic politics in Indonesia: the “Muslim apologetic” characterized by excessive apologies from Islamic figures and the “siege mentality” leading to feelings of marginalization.
Instead, he advocated for a future based on negotiable, adaptive, and accommodative politics within the Indonesian context, suggesting that the concept of “wasathiyah” (moderation) could play a critical role.
He emphasized the need for the Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah higher education institutions to provide input on the future of Islamic politics in Indonesia, arguing that the current state of demographic Islam doesn’t adequately reflect the potential of political Islam.
Cultural strategy was another area where Haedar sought the involvement of Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah higher education institutions. He encouraged the institutions to incorporate the government’s seven cultural strategies while simultaneously integrating the “Progressive Islam” approach embraced by Muhammadiyah.
Looking at the challenges faced by today’s youth, Haedar highlighted the concerns surrounding digitalization, globalization, and even issues like LGBT. However, he stressed the importance of not just addressing these issues but also actively shaping a future generation that remains grounded in the values of religion, Pancasila, and Indonesia’s noble cultural heritage.
This call to action serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role that Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah higher education institutions can play in shaping the future of Indonesia. By fostering future leaders, contributing to strategic thinking, and actively engaging with cultural issues, these institutions can ensure that the nation’s path forward is guided by both wisdom and progress.
