Jakarta,growmedia-indo.com -
The Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah (PP Muhammadiyah) officially opened the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of its Institute of Arts and Culture (LSB Muhammadiyah) at the Grand Theater of Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Central Jakarta on Friday (July 10). The three-day event, which runs until July 12, 2026, serves as a strategic platform to strengthen the role of arts and culture as instruments of cultural da'wah while contributing to Indonesia's national civilization.
The opening ceremony was led by Prof. Dr. Haedar Nashir, Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, and marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Dr. Fadli Zon, and PP Muhammadiyah. The agreement is expected to enhance collaboration between the government and Muhammadiyah in developing Indonesia's arts and cultural sector.
This year's conference carries the theme, "Grounding Progressive Da'wah through a Creative and Inclusive Arts and Cultural Ecosystem." The theme reflects Muhammadiyah's commitment to positioning arts and culture as essential components of Islamic outreach capable of engaging people from all walks of life.
Held alongside the conference are the 59th Anniversary Celebration of the Indonesian Muslim Women's Deliberation Council (BMIWI) and the planning meeting for the National Majelis Taklim Day under the theme, "BMIWI Together with Majelis Taklim for Indonesia: Preserving the Tradition of Knowledge and Strengthening Civilization Based on Islamic Values."
In his keynote address, Prof. Haedar Nashir emphasized that arts and culture play a strategic role as instruments of Muhammadiyah's cultural da'wah. He noted that Islamic outreach should not be limited to sermons and educational activities but should also be expressed through music, visual arts, literature, film, and other artistic forms.
«"Arts and culture are essential instruments of Muhammadiyah's da'wah. Their beauty serves as a medium for building civilization, nurturing humanity, strengthening brotherhood, and bringing people closer to Allah SWT," Prof. Haedar Nashir said.»
He added that Muhammadiyah has prepared various cultural development programs that are inclusive, open, and capable of transcending differences in religion, ethnicity, race, and nationality. Through this cultural approach, Muhammadiyah seeks to strengthen its identity as a progressive Islamic movement while making meaningful contributions to national development.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Dr. Fadli Zon expressed his appreciation for Muhammadiyah's longstanding contribution to the advancement of Indonesian arts and culture. He explained that the Ministry of Culture, established nearly two years ago, is dedicated to promoting Indonesia's cultural heritage in accordance with Article 32, Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
«"Indonesia possesses extraordinary cultural diversity, ranging from film, visual arts, literature, and dance to countless living traditions stretching from Sabang to Merauke. This immense cultural wealth is one of our nation's greatest assets in building civilization and strengthening Indonesia's position on the global stage," Fadli Zon stated.»
According to the minister, Indonesia has made significant progress in cultural preservation. The number of nationally recognized cultural heritage sites has increased from approximately 200 to 743, demonstrating the government's strong commitment to safeguarding and developing the country's cultural legacy.
Fadli Zon further stressed that culture is not only a historical treasure but also a powerful form of soft power, serving as a driver of the creative economy, cultural tourism, and international diplomacy.
Through the National Working Meeting of the Muhammadiyah Institute of Arts and Culture, participants are expected to formulate collaborative programs involving Muhammadiyah, the government, and various stakeholders to strengthen Indonesia's cultural development and contribute to building a more advanced civilization rooted in Islamic and national values.
