Malaysia's Mubarak, IIUM To Collaborate With Indonesia's Muhammadiyah

By Azeman Ariffin JAKARTA, July 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will forge socioeconomic ties with Muhammadiyah, the largest Muslim organisation in Indonesia. Sociocultural advisor to the government, Dr Rais Yatim said the collaborative effort would involve Muhammadiyah, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and the Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak). He said the collaboration between the non-governmental organisation (NGO) and the institution of higher learning was a platform to strengthen ties in the effort to develop humanity and economy between both countries. "A practical alliance will immediately be established and plans are underway to develop a youth programme as well as a working framework,” he told Bernama after a meeting with Muhammadiyah leader Prof Dr Bahtiar Effendy at its office here Friday. Also present were Mubarak president Aziz Abdul Rahman and its communications director Abdul Rahman Sulaiman. Rais said, Muhammadiyah is an NGO well-admired for its capability to be financially independent and carry out community service since before war time. "Our values, the economy and the way people think are under threat. As such, reasoning needs to sharpened and the principles of the Al-Quran need to be adapted to life,” he explained. Muhammadiyah, that was founded by popular ulama, Ahmad Dahlan, in Jogyakarta, on Nov 18, 1912, currently has 100 universities; 1,000 schools, including 'pondok' schools and professional colleges, as well as 74 hospitals throughout Indonesia. The aim of all Muhammadiyah institutions is to help those in need. Meanwhile, Bahtiar said the NGO was willing to work together with Malaysian institutions in expanding its services at the international level. -- BERNAMA